Rules of the “Road”
It’s the rare boater who has a lake or lagoon to call their own.
Most of us boat in areas where traffic moves in different
directions and involves all kinds of vessels. Just like on the
road, if we don’t know when to yield or turn, we’re likely
heading for an accident on the water.
The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
1972 (aka COLREGS or 72COLREGs) established international
rights of way and recognized signals, among other rules,
reducing chaos on open and international waterways.
Thereafter, the United States enacted the Inland Navigational
Rules Act to bring that same type of order to rivers, lakes, and
other inland bodies of water.
Although not identical, the international and inland rules are
very similar, so that all boaters are governed by the same Rules
1 through 38 — the “rules of the road.” Captains familiar with
the rules feel confident knowing how to act and react when one
type of vessel encounters another based on the hierarchy set
forth in the COLREGS, similar to rungs on a ladder.
Awareness of the rules (and how your vessel fits into the ladder
system) is not a recommendation for skippers. Instead, it
is a legal responsibility. Breaching or ignoring the rules will
probably bring financial consequences and perhaps criminal
liability. Therefore, every boat operator should take a boating
safety class covering the details of the COLREGS. Laminated
cards are available to keep aboard to refresh your memory.
The highest priority assigned by the COLREGS is to watercraft
not under command, as they have no ability to relocate out of
harm’s way. Next are vessels limited in their ability to maneuver,
those involved in fishing, and sailboats (a sailboat using its
engine is considered a powerboat). The rules assign rankings
to all vessels, including seaplanes and aircraft carriers.
4 Boating Long Island FALL 2020
Just as knowing how to proceed at a stop sign prevents crashes,
identifying who has the right of way on the water avoids accidents.
As an example, the COLREGS set out who has the right of way
when crossing or overtaking — when two vessels spot each other
in a head-on situation, Rule 14 states that each shall alter her
course to starboard so that each shall pass on the port side of the
other (unless otherwise agreed). Sometimes, a general right of way
needs to yield if the boat “in the right” is the more nimble one, able
to correct course quicker than a more cumbersome vessel (say a
runabout encountering a large trawler).
Along with obeying posted speed limits, adjusting actions
based on visibility, and taking into account weather and traffic
conditions, Rule 6 further qualifies speed. 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. Other noted factors for reducing speed: a vessel’s
stopping and turning abilities, the proximity of navigational
hazards, and the boat’s draft in relation to the water’s depth.
Every boat operator should take
a boating safety class covering
the details of the COLREGS
Vessels communicate via sound signals and navigation
lights. A boat sending a short signal (one second) is saying
something distinct from one emitting a prolonged blast (four
to six seconds); and comprehending the message may be the
difference between an accident and avoidance. The rules
regarding sound making devices (whistles and horns) may
be supplemented by state regulations, but the sounds are the
same for awareness, intentions, and warnings.
The COLREGS specify the lights you must display on your vessel
to inform other boaters of what type of craft you are and your