Boating Basics: On the Water

Safe navigation on Delaware waterways is everyone’s responsibility. Those operating power-driven vessels, sailboats, and PWCs are all equally responsible for taking action necessary to avoid collisions.

Encountering Other Vessels

There are some rules that every operator should follow when encountering other boats or PWCs. It is the responsibility of both operators to take action to avoid a collision. Eighty percent (80%) of all boating accidents in Delaware are due to collisions. Therefore, all boaters should slow down and keep a sharp lookout at all times.

To prevent collisions, every operator should follow the three basic rules of navigation:

  • Practice good seamanship.
  • Keep a sharp lookout.
  • Maintain a safe speed and distance.

Encountering Vessels with Limited Maneuverability

When operating a power-driven vessel, you must give way to:

• Any vessel not under command, such as an anchored or disabled vessel
• Any vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver, such as a vessel towing another or laying cable, or one constrained by its draft, such as a large ship in a channel
• A vessel engaged in commercial fishing
• A sailboat under sail unless it is overtaking

When operating a vessel under sail, you must give way to:

• Any vessel not under command
• Any vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver
• A vessel engaged in commercial fishing