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    UF3J14E0.book  Page 20  Friday, June 23, 2017  9:47 AM

                                                                         Safety information

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

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