Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Navigation Rules

These rules apply to all boaters. AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 34:851.27A. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, LR 29:1835 (September 2003).

301. Rules of the Road for Vessels

A. The following regulations shall dictate the operation of vessels upon the waters of the state and shall set forth a standard of operation. In construing and complying with these Rules, due regard shall be had to all dangers of navigation and collision and to any special circumstances, including the limitations of the vessels involved, which may make a departure from the Rules necessary to avoid immediate danger.

B. Any violation of the Rules of the Road as referred to in this section shall be prima-facie evidence of careless or reckless operation.

C. Boating accidents caused by deviation from the Rules of the Road shall be documented as such in accident reports.

D. The Rules of the Road for vessels upon the waters in the state shall be as follows:

1. Vessels passing head-on shall each keep to their respective right.
2. A vessel overtaking another vessel may do so on either side, but must grant the right-of-way to the vessel being overtaken.
3. When vessels are passing at right angles, the vessel on the left will yield right-of-way to vessel on the right.
4. Motorboats shall yield right-of-way to non-motor powered boats except as follows:
   • When being overtaken by non-powered vessels.
   • For deep draft vessels that have to remain in narrow channels.
   • When the vessel is towing another vessel.
5. Motorboats must maintain a direct course when passing sailboats.
6. A vessel approaching a landing dock or pier shall yield the right-of-way to any departing vessel.
7. A vessel departing a shoreline or tributary shall yield right-of-way to through traffic and vessels approaching the shoreline or tributary.
8. Vessels will not change course abruptly without first determining that it can be done safely and without risk of collision with another vessel.
9. If an operator fails to fully comprehend the course of an approaching vessel, he must slow down immediately to a speed barely sufficient for steerageway until the other vessel has passed.
10. Vessels yielding right-of-way shall reduce speed, stop, reverse, or alter course to avoid collision. The vessel with right-of-way shall hold its course and speed. If there is danger of collision, all vessels will slow down, stop, or reverse until danger is averted.
11. Vessels will issue warning signals in fog or weather conditions that restrict visibility.
12. No mechanically propelled vessel shall be operated so as to traverse a course around any other vessel underway or any person swimming.
13. In a narrow channel, vessels will keep to the right of mid-channel.
14. Vessels approaching or passing another vessel shall be operated in such manner and at such a rate of speed as will not create a hazardous wash or wake.
15. No vessel shall obstruct or interfere with the take-off, landing, or taxiing of aircraft.
16. All vessels shall be operated at reasonable speeds for given conditions and situations and must be under the complete control of the operator at all times.
17. No person shall, under any circumstances, operate a vessel in excess of an established speed or wake zone.
18. No vessel or person shall obstruct or block a navigation channel, the entrance to a channel, a mooring slip, a landing dock, a launching ramp, a pier, or a tributary.
19. Vessels shall keep at least a 100-foot clearance from displayed diver’s flag.
20. Operator shall maintain a proper lookout.

Equipment to Assist in Navigation

Steering Compass

A compass, which is used to assist in navigation, is an instrument that shows magnetic north. A navigation chart shows true north, and the compass rose on the chart has the variation, east or west, to facilitate the necessary correction from true to magnetic. A vessel can steer a magnetic course or a more accurate long distance course by correcting the compass deviation to arrive at the compass course.

The lubber’s line on a compass should be aligned parallel to the keel line. The compass card is read from the lubber’s line to determine the direction of travel of the vessel.

The vessel compass must be mounted away from iron, magnets, or electrical wiring or equipment that may cause the card to deviate. Practice with your compass and other navigation equipment in good weather. Make sure you know how to use the compass and charts to navigate. This may become critical in bad weather conditions.

Navigation Charts

Charts contain important information such as water depths and locations of channels, restricted areas, known sand bars, rocks, shipwrecks, etc. The list of chart symbols can be found on chart one, to help you become familiar with the chart you are using. The navigation chart can be used to determine the most direct courses possible for fuel consumption.

Navigation charts are often found at a local marina, marine store, or NOAA. Ask persons who navigate the waters you intend to travel about hazards, as local knowledge is invaluable to recent changes such as stumps, sand bars, etc.