Boating Basics: On the Water

IC 14-15-3-14
Traffic rules

Sec. 14. A person operating a boat shall observe the following traffic rules when applicable:

1. When two (2) boats are approaching each other "head and head", or nearly so, each boat shall bear to the right and pass the other boat on the boat's left side.
2. When two (2) boats are approaching each other obliquely or at right angles, the boat on the right has the right-of-way. However, when:
   1. one (1) boat is under sail or is nonmotorized, the sailboat or nonmotorized boat has the right-of-way; and
   2. two (2) boats are under sail or are nonmotorized, the boat on the right has the right-of-way.
3. A boat operated on a river or a channel shall bear to the right.
4. A boat may overtake and pass another boat on either side if the passing can be done with safety and within the assured clear distance ahead, but the boat overtaken has the right-of-way.
5. A boat leaving a dock, a pier, a wharf, or the shore has the right-of-way over all boats approaching the dock, pier, wharf, or shore.

As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.69-2009, SEC.3.