1. OPERATING YOUR BOAT SAFELY OPERATING YOUR BOAT SAFELY

2. Key Topics Navigation rules Navigation rules Navigation lights Navigation lights Night navigation Night navigation Navigational aids Navigational aids Sound signals Sound signals Compasses and charts Compasses and charts

3. Navigation Rules Three basic rules of navigation: Practice good seamanship. Practice good seamanship. Keep a proper lookout. Keep a proper lookout. Maintain a safe speed. Maintain a safe speed.

4. Navigation Rules (cont.) There are two terms to help explain what to do when encountering other vessels Give-way vessel—vessel which is required to take early and substantial action to keep well away from other vessels. Give-way vessel—vessel which is required to take early and substantial action to keep well away from other vessels.

5. Navigation Rules (cont.) Stand-on vessel—vessel which should maintain its course and speed unless it becomes apparent that give- way vessel is not taking appropriate action. Stand-on vessel—vessel which should maintain its course and speed unless it becomes apparent that give- way vessel is not taking appropriate action.

6. Navigation Rules (cont.) Navigation rules depend on: Type of situation Type of situation Type of vessels involved Type of vessels involved

7. Navigation Rules (cont.) When meeting another vessel head-on: Power vs. Power: Neither vessel is stand-on boat — both vessels should keep to starboard (right). Power vs. Power: Neither vessel is stand-on boat — both vessels should keep to starboard (right). Click Start to begin animation Power vs. Sail: Powerboat is give-way boat. Power vs. Sail: Powerboat is give-way boat.

8. Navigation Rules (cont.) When meeting another vessel in a crossing situation: Power vs. Power: Vessel on port (left) is give-way boat. Power vs. Power: Vessel on port (left) is give-way boat. Click Start to begin animation Power vs. Sail: Power- driven vessel is the give- way boat. Power vs. Sail: Power- driven vessel is the give- way boat.

9. Navigation Rules (cont.) When overtaking another vessel: Power vs. Power: Vessel which is overtaking another vessel is give- way boat. Power vs. Power: Vessel which is overtaking another vessel is give- way boat. Power vs. Sail: Vessel which is overtaking another vessel is give-way boat. Power vs. Sail: Vessel which is overtaking another vessel is give-way boat. Click Start to begin animation

10. Navigation Rules (cont.) When a sailboat encounters another sailboat: Wind on same side: Leeward vessel is stand- on boat. Wind on same side: Leeward vessel is stand- on boat. Wind on different sides: Vessel with wind on starboard (right) side is stand-on boat. Wind on different sides: Vessel with wind on starboard (right) side is stand-on boat. Click Start to begin animation

11. Navigation Rules – Exceptions If operating power-driven vessel, you must give-way to: Vessel not under command Vessel not under command Vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver or a vessel constrained by its draft, such as large ship in channel Vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver or a vessel constrained by its draft, such as large ship in channel Vessel engaged in commercial fishing Vessel engaged in commercial fishing Sailing vessel unless it is overtaking Sailing vessel unless it is overtaking

12. Navigation Rules – Exceptions (cont.) If operating a sailing vessel, you must give-way to: Vessel not under command Vessel not under command Vessel restricted in ability to maneuver Vessel restricted in ability to maneuver Vessel engaged in commercial fishing Vessel engaged in commercial fishing

13. Navigation Rules – Exceptions (cont.) Operating in Narrow Channels: A vessel in a narrow channel must keep as far to right of channel as is safe and practical. A vessel in a narrow channel must keep as far to right of channel as is safe and practical. If operating a power-driven vessel heading upstream on Mississippi River system, all vessels coming toward you from opposite direction have right-of-way and you must give-way. If operating a power-driven vessel heading upstream on Mississippi River system, all vessels coming toward you from opposite direction have right-of-way and you must give-way.

14. Navigation Rules – Exceptions (cont.) You may not get in the way of vessels that can only navigate within a channel if you are operating a vessel: You may not get in the way of vessels that can only navigate within a channel if you are operating a vessel: ● Less than 20 meters (65.6 ft.) ● Under sail or engaged in fishing ● Crossing channel You must not anchor in a narrow channel unless circumstances require doing so. You must not anchor in a narrow channel unless circumstances require doing so.

15. Navigation Rules – Exceptions (cont.) You must use appropriate sound signals and use caution while operating in a narrow channel when: You must use appropriate sound signals and use caution while operating in a narrow channel when: ● Overtaking or being overtaken ● When your view is obstructed If you are leaving a dock, slip, or tie-up mooring, you must give-way to all approaching vessels. If you are leaving a dock, slip, or tie-up mooring, you must give-way to all approaching vessels.

16. Navigation Lights Navigation lights help you and other boaters determine which is the give-way vessel when encountering each other at night. These lights must be displayed from sunset to sunrise and during periods of restricted visibility.

17. Navigation Lights (cont.) Sidelights Sidelights ● red light indicates vessel’s port (left) side. ● green light indicates vessel’s starboard (right) side.

18. Navigation Lights (cont.) Masthead Light Masthead Light ● Must be used by all vessels when under engine power. ● Absence of this light identifies sailboat under sail. Sternlight Sternlight

19. Navigation Lights (cont.) All-Round White Light All-Round White Light ● May be used to combine masthead and stern light on vessels less than 39.4 ft in length. ● Serves as anchor light when sidelights are extinguished.

20. Night Navigation Lights of other vessels help you determine: Lights of other vessels help you determine: ● If operating under power or sail ● Their direction of travel Apply same navigational rules used in daytime. Apply same navigational rules used in daytime. Never assume lights of other vessels are working properly. Never assume lights of other vessels are working properly.

21. Night Navigation (cont.) Click Start to begin animation

22. Night Navigation (cont.) When you see red and white lights you must give-way to other vessel. When you see red and white lights you must give-way to other vessel. When you see white and green lights you are the stand-on vessel. When you see white and green lights you are the stand-on vessel. Click Start to begin animation

23. Night Navigation (cont.) When you see only a white light, you are overtaking another vessel or it is anchored and it is the stand-on vessel. When you see only a white light, you are overtaking another vessel or it is anchored and it is the stand-on vessel. Click Start to begin animation

24. Night Navigation (cont.) When you see red, green, and white lights, you are approaching another power-driven vessel head-on so both vessels must give-way. When you see red, green, and white lights, you are approaching another power-driven vessel head-on so both vessels must give-way. Click Start to begin animation

25. Night Navigation (cont.) When you see only red and green lights, you are approaching sailing vessel head-on and you must give-way. When you see only red and green lights, you are approaching sailing vessel head-on and you must give-way. Click Start to begin animation

26. Night Navigation (cont.) When you see only a red light, you are approaching a sailboat under sail and you must give-way. When you see only a red light, you are approaching a sailboat under sail and you must give-way. Click Start to begin animation When you see only a green light, you are approaching a sailboat under sail and you must give-way. When you see only a green light, you are approaching a sailboat under sail and you must give-way.

27. Night Navigation (cont.) Towing Lights When commercial vessels are towing, they display one or more yellow lights in place of sternlight—may be space of several hundred yards between lights displayed on bow and stern of vessel. When commercial vessels are towing, they display one or more yellow lights in place of sternlight—may be space of several hundred yards between lights displayed on bow and stern of vessel.

40. Sound Signals Sound signals are composed of short and long blasts and must be audible for at least one-half mile: Short blast is about one second in duration. Short blast is about one second in duration. Prolonged blast is 4-6 seconds in duration. Prolonged blast is 4-6 seconds in duration.

41. Sound Signals (cont.) Vessel operators use sound signals to communicate change in direction to other boaters: One short blast tells other boaters, “I intend to pass you on my port (left) side.” One short blast tells other boaters, “I intend to pass you on my port (left) side.” Two short blasts tells other boaters, “I intend to pass you on my starboard (right) side.” Two short blasts tells other boaters, “I intend to pass you on my starboard (right) side.” Three short blasts tells other boaters, “I am backing up.” Three short blasts tells other boaters, “I am backing up.”

42. Sound Signals (cont.) Sound signals let other boaters know where you are during periods of restricted visibility: One prolonged blast at intervals of no more than two minutes is the signal used by power-driven vessels when underway. One prolonged blast at intervals of no more than two minutes is the signal used by power-driven vessels when underway. One prolonged plus two short blasts at intervals of no more than two minutes is the signal used by sailing vessels. One prolonged plus two short blasts at intervals of no more than two minutes is the signal used by sailing vessels.

43. Sound Signals (cont.) Sound signals are used to warn other boaters or alert them to danger: One prolonged blast is a warning signal. One prolonged blast is a warning signal. Five (or more) short, rapid blasts are used to signal danger or that you do not understand or disagree with the other boater’s intentions. Five (or more) short, rapid blasts are used to signal danger or that you do not understand or disagree with the other boater’s intentions.

44. U.S. Aids To Navigation System (cont.) Nuns and Cans – red cone-shaped (nuns) or green cylindrical-shaped (cans) Nuns and Cans – red cone-shaped (nuns) or green cylindrical-shaped (cans) Lighted Buoys – marked with Lateral System Lighted Buoys – marked with Lateral System Daymarks – red triangles or green squares attached permanently to structures; can be lighted. Daymarks – red triangles or green squares attached permanently to structures; can be lighted.

45. U.S. Aids To Navigation System (ATON) Lateral Markers Red colors, red lights, and even numbers indicate right side of channel as boater enters from open sea or heads upstream. Red colors, red lights, and even numbers indicate right side of channel as boater enters from open sea or heads upstream. Green colors, green lights and odd numbers indicate left side of channel as boater enters from open sea or heads upstream. Green colors, green lights and odd numbers indicate left side of channel as boater enters from open sea or heads upstream.

46. U.S. Aids To Navigation System (cont.) Use this phrase as a reminder of the correct course when returning from open waters or heading upstream: “Red Right Returning”

47. U.S. Aids To Navigation System (cont.) Red and green colors and/or lights indicates preferred (primary channel) Red and green colors and/or lights indicates preferred (primary channel) ● If green on top, preferred channel is to right. ● If red on top, preferred channel is to left.

48. U.S. Aids To Navigation System (cont.) Non-Lateral Markers Squares provide information indicating directions, distances, places, food and supplies, repairs, etc. Squares provide information indicating directions, distances, places, food and supplies, repairs, etc. Diamonds warn of dangers such as rocks, dams, shoals, construction, or stumps. Diamonds warn of dangers such as rocks, dams, shoals, construction, or stumps.

49. U.S. Aids To Navigation System (cont.) Circles indicate controlled areas such as speed limit, no fishing, or anchoring, etc. Circles indicate controlled areas such as speed limit, no fishing, or anchoring, etc. Crossed diamonds indicate areas off-limits (exclusion area) to all vessels, such as swimming areas, dams, and spillways. Crossed diamonds indicate areas off-limits (exclusion area) to all vessels, such as swimming areas, dams, and spillways.

50. U.S. Aids To Navigation System (cont.) Other Non-Lateral Markers Safe Water Marker indicate unobstructed water on all sides; they mark mid-channels or fairways and may be passed on either side. Safe Water Marker indicate unobstructed water on all sides; they mark mid-channels or fairways and may be passed on either side. Inland Waters Obstruction Marker indicate an obstruction to navigation; you should not pass between these buoys and the shore. Inland Waters Obstruction Marker indicate an obstruction to navigation; you should not pass between these buoys and the shore.

51. U.S. Aids To Navigation System (cont.) Mooring Buoy found in marinas and other areas vessels are allowed to anchor; these are the only buoys you may legally tie up to. Mooring Buoy found in marinas and other areas vessels are allowed to anchor; these are the only buoys you may legally tie up to.

52. Compasses and Charts Compass shows magnetic north to which you apply a correction to determine the direction of true north. Useful if land is out of sight or visibility is reduced. Useful if land is out of sight or visibility is reduced. Compass should be mounted away from iron, magnets, or electrical wiring and equipment. Compass should be mounted away from iron, magnets, or electrical wiring and equipment.

53. Compasses and Charts (cont.) Nautical charts are helpful when boating in bays or in large lakes; charts give: Water depths Water depths Locations of channels, sand bars, rocks, and vegetation Locations of channels, sand bars, rocks, and vegetation Most direct courses possible Most direct courses possible

54. Compasses and Charts (cont.)