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).
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Power vs. Sail:
The powerboat is the give-way vessel. The sailboat is the stand-on vessel.
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Crossing Situations |
Power vs. Power:
The vessel on the operator's port (left) side is the give-way vessel. The vessel on the operator's starboard (right) side is the stand-on vessel.
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Power vs. Sail:
The powerboat is the give-way vessel. The sailboat is the stand-on vessel.
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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.
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Power vs. Sail:
The vessel that is overtaking another vessel is the give-way vessel. The vessel being overtaken is the stand-on
vessel.
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