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UF4R14E0.book Page 18 Wednesday, April 3, 2024 2:14 PM

Safety information

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

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