Transcript Rules of the Road - Hoofer Sailing Club Wiki

Justin Cherniak
Cruising Skills Classroom
Hoofer Sailing Club

Provide a clear set of rules to prevent
accidents at sea
 International Regulations for Preventing Collisions
at Sea (72 COLREGS)
 Inland Navigation Rules Act of 1980

Basic premise – based on maneuverability
 Vessels that are easier to maneuver give way to
vessels that are harder to maneuver

38 Rules

“Every vessel shall at all times maintain a
proper look-out by sight and hearing as well
as by all available means appropriate in the
prevailing circumstances and conditions so as
to make a full appraisal of the situation and of
the risk of collision.”


(a) Any action taken to avoid collision shall be
taken in accordance with the Rules of this Part
and shall, if the circumstances of the case admit,
be positive, made in ample time and with due
regard to the observance of good seamanship.
(b) Any alteration of course and/or speed to
avoid collision shall, if the circumstances of the
case admit, be large enough to be readily
apparent to another vessel observing visually or
by radar; a succession of small alterations of
course and/or speed should be avoided

“Give way” vessel – obliged to make a deliberate
and large enough change of course to be visible
 “Every vessel which is directed to keep out of the way
of another vessel shall, so far as possible, take early
and substantial action to keep well clear.”

“Stand on” vessel – obliged to maintain course
and speed
 Must take action to avoid collision if other vessel is
not “giving way”
 “(d) This Rule does not relieve the give-way vessel of
her obligation to keep out of the way.”
Higher classification vessels are
stand-on to lower classification
1. NUC – Not under command
1.
2. RAM – Restricted ability to maneuver 2.
3. CBD – Constricted by draft
3.
4. Fishing – Commercial fishing
4.
5. Sailboats
5.
6. Powerboats
6.
7. Seaplanes
7.

New
Reels
Catch
Fish
So
Purchase
Some



Starboard tack over port tack
Leeward over windward
If tack of other boat cannot be determined,
assume they are on starboard



Any overtaking vessel must stay clear of the
vessel it is overtaking
Assumed to be overtaking if within 22.5
degrees abaft her beam (only can see stern
light at night)
When in doubt, assume you are overtaking
and act accordingly


Each vessel shall alter course to starboard
and pass port-to-port
When in doubt, assume it is the case
Rule 15 – Crossing (powerboat)
• Yield to starboard (vessel with boat to
starboard is the give-way vessel)



A vessel proceeding along the course of a
narrow channel or fairway shall keep as near
to the outer limit of the channel or fairway
which lies on her starboard side as is safe and
practicable.
Use sound signals described in Rule 34 when
overtaking
Avoid anchoring if at all possible




Proceed in direction of flow of the lane
Stay away as much as practically possible
Avoid crossing if possible, cross at right
angles
Sailing vessels or vessels <20m shall not
impede the safe passage of a larger, power
driven vessel