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Handbook of South Dakota Boating Laws and Responsiblities South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks

Boating Basics: On the Water

Navigation Rules

There are two terms that help explain these rules.

  • Stand-on vessel: The vessel that should maintain its course and speed
  • Give-way vessel: The vessel that must take early and substantial action to avoid collision by stopping, slowing down, or changing course

Meeting Head-On

Power vs. Power:
Neither vessel is the stand-on vessel. Both vessels should keep to the starboard (right).

Meeting Head-On Power vs Power: Both boats giving way to the right

Power vs. Sail:
The powerboat is the give-way vessel. The sailboat is the stand-on vessel.

Meeting Head-On Power vs Sail: Powerboat giving way to (going right of) the sailboat

Crossing Situations

Power vs. Power:
The vessel on the port (left) is the give-way vessel. The vessel on the starboard (right) is the stand-on vessel.

Crossing Situations Power vs Power: Powerboat on the port gives way to vessel on starboard

Power vs. Sail:
The powerboat is the give-way vessel. The sailboat is the stand-on vessel.


Crossing Situations Power vs Sail: Powerboat gives way to sailboat

Overtaking

Power vs. Power:
The vessel that is overtaking another vessel is the give-way vessel. The vessel being overtaken is the stand-on vessel.

Overtaking Power vs Power: Powerboat giving way while overtaking powerboat

Power vs. Sail:
The vessel that is overtaking another vessel is the give-way vessel. The vessel being overtaken is the stand-on vessel.

Overtaking Power vs Sail: Sailboat giving way while overtaking powerboat

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Handbook of South Dakota Boating Laws and Responsiblities
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