Yamaha XL800 manual Other special situations, Reading buoys and other, Markers

				E
	Sailing vessel right-of-way
Overtaking
If you are passing another vessel, you are	Sailing vessels should normally be given
the give-way vessel. This means that the	the right-of-way. The exceptions to this are:
other vessel is expected to maintain its	1. When the sailing vessel is overtaking the
course and speed. You must stay out of its	power-driven vessel, the power-driven
way until you are clear of it. Likewise, if	vessel has the right-of-way.
another vessel is passing you, you should	2. Sailing vessels should keep clear of any
maintain your speed and direction so that	fishing vessel.
the other vessel can steer itself around you.	3. In a narrow channel, a sailing vessel
	should not hamper the safe passage of a
Other special situations	power-driven vessel that can navigate
There are three other rules you should be	only in such a channel.
aware of when riding your watercraft around	Reading buoys and other
other vessels.
Narrow channels and bends	markers
	The	waters of	the United	States are
When navigating in narrow channels, you	marked	for safe	navigation by	the lateral
should keep to the right when it is safe and
	system of buoyage. Simply put, buoys and
practical to do so. If the operator of a power-
	markers have an arrangement of shapes,
driven vessel is preparing to go around a
	colors, numbers and lights to show which
bend that may obstruct the view of other
	side of the buoy a boater should pass on
water vessels, the operator should sound a
	when navigating		in a particular direction.
prolonged blast of four to six seconds on the
	The markings on these buoys are oriented
whistle. If another vessel is around the bend,
	from the perspective of being entered from
it too should sound the whistle. Even if no
	seaward (the boater is going towards the
reply is heard, however, the vessel should
	harbor). Red buoys are passed on your star-
still proceed around the bend with caution. If
	board (right) side when proceeding from
you navigate such waters with your water-
	open water into the harbor, and black buoys
craft, you will need to carry a portable air
	are to your port (left) side. An easy way to
horn, available from local marine supply
	remember the meaning of the colors is the
stores.
	phrase “red right returning.” When navigat-
Fishing vessel right-of-way	ing out of the harbor, your position with
	respect to the buoys should be reversed; red
All vessels fishing with nets, lines or	buoys should be to port and black buoys to
trawls are considered to be “fishing vessels”
	starboard.
under the International Rules. Vessels with	Many bodies of water used by boaters are

trolling lines are not considered fishing ves-	entirely within the boundaries of a particular
sels. Fishing vessels have the right-of-way
	state. The Uniform State Waterway Marking
regardless of position. Fishing vessels can-
	System has been devised for these waters.
not, however, impede the passage of other
vessels in narrow channels.
1-18