Section 4: Navigation Rules 53
prevailing circumstances and conditions so as
to make a full appraisal of the situation and
of the risk of collision.
Maintaining a lookout is required at
all times under all conditions. Designate
someone to watch and listen for dangers
that may come from any direction. Lack
of a proper lookout is sited as a major contributing
factor in studies of boating accidents,
especially collisions. Solo boating
where duties include lookout, skipper, navigator,
and line handler, etc. requires planning.
For instance, when getting underway,
laying out your fenders and mooring lines
as they are brought aboard for ready use
when mooring. Never place water sports
equipment, passengers or anything else
onboard in such a manner that vision from
the helm is obstructed. When conducting
the pre-departure briefing for everyone
onboard, assign duties such as fore and aft
lookouts from the bow and stern, notifying
and keeping in-sight anyone who falls overboard,
and listening for and relaying to the
helmsman any sound signals heard.
Safe Speed (Rule 6)
Every vessel shall at all times proceed at a safe
speed so that she can take proper and effective
action to avoid collision and be stopped
within a distance appropriate to the prevailing
circumstances and conditions. In determining
a safe speed the following factors shall
be among those taken into account:
(a) By all vessels:
(i) The state of visibility;
(ii) The traffic density including concentrations
of fishing vessels or
any other vessels;
(iii) The manageability of the vessel
with special reference to stopping
distance and turning ability in the
prevailing conditions;
(iv) At night, the presence of background
light such as from shore
lights or from back scatter from
her own lights;
(v) The state of wind, sea and current,
and the proximity of navigational
hazards;
(vi) The draft in relation to the available
depth of water.
(b) Additionally, by vessels with operational
radar:
(i) The characteristics, efficiency and
limitations of the radar equipment;
(ii) Any constraints imposed by the
radar range scale in use;
(iii) The effect on radar detection by
the sea state, weather, and other
sources of interference;
(iv) The possibility that small vessels,
ice and other floating objects may
not be detected by radar at an
adequate range;
(v) The number, location, and movement
of vessels detected by radar;
(vi) The more exact assessment of
the visibility that may be possible
when radar is used to determine
the range of vessels or other objects
in the vicinity.
Except where speed is restricted by regulation
or the waterway is marked by a “No
Wake” or “Slow Speed” Aid, you must judge
“safe speed” for yourself, taking into account
visibility, vessel traffic, your boat’s ability
to maneuver, and weather conditions.
Every vessel shall at all times proceed at a
safe speed appropriate to the prevailing
circumstances and conditions. Safe speed
allows you to stop your boat in time to
avoid collision. In restricted visibility conditions
your decision should be at or less
than a speed that allows stopping in one-half
of the visible distance. Weather conditions
influence the sea-state, leading to slower
more-comfortable speeds and even altering
course to prevent bringing water aboard.
Many areas in which you boat will have Regulatory
Signage/buoys promulgating limits
such as no transit and maximum speed.
These white in-color with orange geometric
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Tip: A proper lookout
is a major factor
in preventing collisions.
According
to Coast Guard
statistics, improper
look-out is the major
cause of collisions.
Maintain a lookout
whenever you are
underway. Be alert
for the sight and
sounds of other
boats.