Boating Basics: On the Water

Safe navigation on Louisiana waterways is the responsibility of everyone. All operators are equally responsible for taking action to avoid collisions.

Encountering Other Vessels

Even though no vessel has the "right-of-way" over another vessel, there are some rules that every operator should follow when encountering other vessels. It is the responsibility of both operators to take the action needed to avoid a collision. The navigation rules page shows what to do when encountering another vessel.

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

	Practice good seamanship—Nothing in the U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Rules exonerates any vessel, or the owner, master, or crew, from the consequences of neglecting to comply with these rules. In complying with these rules, regard must be had to all dangers of navigation and collision and to compliance with these rules.
	Keep a sharp lookout—Every vessel must maintain a proper lookout by sight and sound as well as by all available means appropriate to make a full appraisal of the situation and to avoid risk of collision.
	Maintain a safe speed and distance—All vessels must be operated at reasonable speeds for given conditions and situations and must be under the complete control of the operator at all times so that the vessel can be stopped within a safe distance.