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UF4R13E0.book Page 18 Friday, March 31, 2023 1:54 PM

Safety information

Fishing vessel right-of-way
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
Overtaking Sailing vessels should normally be given the
If you are passing another vessel, you are the right-of-way. The exceptions to this are:
give-way vessel. This means that the other (1) When the sailing vessel is overtaking the
vessel is expected to maintain its course and power-driven vessel, the power-driven
speed. You must stay out of its way until you vessel has the right-of-way.
are clear of it. Likewise, if another vessel is (2) Sailing vessels should keep clear of any
passing you, you should maintain your speed fishing vessel.
and direction so that the other vessel can (3) In a narrow channel, a sailing vessel
steer itself around you. 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 markers
other vessels. The waters of the United States are marked
Narrow channels and bends for safe navigation by the lateral system of
When navigating in narrow channels, you buoyage. Simply put, buoys and markers
should keep to the right when it is safe and have an arrangement of shapes, colors, num-
practical to do so. If the operator of a power- bers, and lights to show which side of the
driven vessel is preparing to go around a buoy a boater should pass on when navigat-
bend that may obstruct the view of other wa- ing in a particular direction. The markings on
ter vessels, the operator should sound a pro- these buoys are oriented from the perspec-
longed blast of four to six seconds on the tive of being entered from seaward (the boat-
whistle. If another vessel is around the bend, er is going towards the harbor). Red buoys
it too should sound the whistle. Even if no re- are passed on your starboard (right) side
ply is heard, however, the vessel should still when proceeding from open water into the
proceed around the bend with caution. If you harbor, and black buoys are to your port (left)
navigate such waters with your watercraft, side. An easy way to remember the meaning
you will need to carry a portable air horn, of the colors is the phrase “red right return-
available from local marine supply stores. ing”. When navigating out of the harbor, your
position with respect to the buoys should be
reversed; red buoys should be to port and
black buoys to starboard.

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