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Steering and sailing rules

EJU11800

 

Rules of the Road

Whenever two vessels on the water meet

 

 

 

Yamaha watercraft is legally consid-

one another, one vessel has the right-of-

ered a powerboat. Operation of the

way; it is called the “stand-on” vessel. The

watercraft must be in accordance with

vessel that does not have the right-of-way is

the rules and regulations governing the

called the “give-way” or “burdened” vessel.

waterway on which it is used.

These rules determine which vessel has the

Just as there are rules that apply when

right-of-way, and what each vessel should

you are driving on streets and highways,

do.

there are waterway rules that apply when

Stand-on vessel

you are operating your watercraft. These

rules are used internationally, and are also

The vessel with the right-of-way has the

enforced by the United States Coast Guard

duty to continue its course and speed,

and local agencies. You should be aware of

except to avoid an immediate collision.

these rules, and follow them whenever you

When you maintain your direction and

encounter another vessel on the water.

speed, the other vessel will be able to deter-

Several sets of rules prevail according to

mine how best to avoid you.

geographic location, but are all basically the

Give-way vessel

same as the International Rules of the

Road. The rules presented here in this

The vessel which does not have the right-

Owner’s/Operator’s Manual are condensed,

of-way has the duty to take positive and

and have been provided for your conve-

timely action to stay out of the way of the

nience only. Consult your local U.S. Coast

stand-on vessel. Normally, you should not

Guard Auxiliary or Department of Motor

cross in front of the vessel with the right-of-

Vehicles for a complete set of rules govern-

way. You should slow down or change direc-

ing the waters in which you will be operating

tions briefly and pass behind the other ves-

your watercraft.

sel. You should always move in such a way

 

 

 

that the operator of the other vessel can see

 

 

 

what you are doing.

 

 

 

The General Prudential Rule regarding

 

 

 

the right-of-way is that if a collision appears

 

 

 

unavoidable, neither boat has the right-of-

 

 

 

way. Both boats must avoid the collision.

 

 

 

In other words, follow the standard rules

 

 

 

except when a collision will occur unless

 

 

 

both vessels try to avoid each other. If that is

 

 

 

the case, both vessels become give-way

 

 

 

vessels.

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