1. America’s Boating Course 3rd Edition
Navigation Rules
Chapter 2
Section 4
Chapter 2 – Section 4 Navigation Rules
Paragraph 1-2
Boating safety begins long before you ever leave the dock. Learning the Navigation rules could prevent a collision at sea. This chapter will provide useful information on this Navigation Rules
Remember: You owe it to your passengers and yourself to be a smart boater.
Presented by the
St Paul Sail and Power Squadron 1 1

2. COLREGS Demarcation Line
Rules of the Road
Inland Rules
Sound signals indicate “intent”
COLREGS Demarcation Line
Paragraph 4-8
There are two kind of Rules.
International
Inland
International Rules apply to vessels outside the Line of Demarcation
The most significant difference in the rules as they apply to pleasure boaters is:
In the International Rules Sound Signals indicate “Action being taken” such as “I am altering my course to Starboard”
In the Inland Rules Sound Signals indicate “intent” such as “I intent to leave you on my port side”
International Rules
Sound signals indicate “action being taken” 2 2

3. General Rule of Responsibility
MUST COMPLY
MUST TAKE EVERY ‘PRECAUTION’
‘PRECAUTION’ MAY INCLUDE DEPARTING FROM RULES
You must comply with THE RULES
You must take every ‘precaution’ required by the ‘ordinary practice of good seamanship’ to avoid immediate danger, including collision.
Precaution may include departing from THE RULES
WHEN CAN A NAVIGATION RULE BE OVERLOOKED? – IF NECESSARY TO AVOID IMMEDIATE DANGER 3 3

4. Definitions Sailing Vessel Power-Driven Vessel Fishing Vessel
Give-Way Vessel
Stand-On Vessel
Underway
Restricted Visibility
Not Under Command
Restricted in Ability to Maneuver
Sailing Vessel - under sail only
Power-driven vessle – propelled by machinery
Fishing Vessel – engaged in fishing with gear that restrict maneuverability
Give-way vessel – must stay out of another vessel’s way
Stand-on vessel – maintain course and speed, but must always avoid collision
Underway – not at anchor, not made fast to shore, or aground
Restricted Visibility – any condition in which visibility is restricted
Vessel not under command – unable to maneuver due to special circumstances, and therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel
Vessel Restricted in Ability to Maneuver – unable to maneuver due to the nature of her work. 4 4

5. PECKING ORDER Vessel Priority - Except where required otherwise
Vessels not under command
Vessels restricted in maneuverability
Vessels engaged in fishing
Sailing vessels
Power-driven vessels
Seaplanes
Paragraph 25 5 5

6. Danger Zone If other boat is to your port – Maintain Course
Dead Ahead
22.5 abaft Stbd Beam
Show the students how to define a boat’s Danger Zone. If a boat is in your danger zone, generally speaking you are the give-way boat. You must alter course and/or speed to avoid a collision.
If other boat is to your port – Maintain Course
If other boat is to your starboard – Give Way 6

7. Steering and Sailing Rules
Three sets of Rules:
Vessels in any condition of visibility
Vessels in sight of one another
Vessels in restricted visibility
Paragraph 7 7

8. Any Condition of Visibility
A "lookout" must be …
Maintained at all times
Alert for other boats
Appraise the situation
Safe Speed
Always proceed at a safe speed
Rule #5 Table 4-1and Paragraph 30
MAINTAINING A PROPER LOOKOUT USING HUMAN SIGHT AND HEARING APPLIES TO BOATS UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES? – ALL BOATS AT ALL HOURS. 8 8

9. Vessels in Sight of One Another
Navigation Rules dependencies
Situation: head-on, crossing, overtaking
Types of boats: sail or power
Give-way vessel
Required to change course and/or speed
Stand-on vessel
Must maintain course and speed
Paragraph 40 9 9

10. Meeting Power Give Way! Power Give Way! Sail Stand on! 10 Fig 4-7
Meeting Head-On
When you see another vessel ahead, or nearly ahead, you should assume the risk of collision exists and take steps to avoid it.
If both vessels are power (including sailboats using their engine), then the preferred method of passing is port-to-port. Both vessels are considered give-way .
If one vessel is a sailboat, not under power, then due to its lack of maneuverability, it is considered the stand-on vessel and must maintain its course and speed. The power vessel is the give-way vessel and must alter course and speed. 10

11. Overtaking Stand on! Power Give Way! Stand on! Sail Give Way! 11
Paragraph 51-55
Overtaking
Any overtaking vessel must stay clear of the vessel it is overtaking. By day it can be difficult to determine your position relative to the other vessel. If in doubt, assume that yours is the overtaking vessel. After giving the proper signal you may pass on either side.
Explain the proper signals for passing. One blast if you are passing on YOUR port side and two blasts if you are passing on YOUR starboard side. The vessel being overtaken should respond with the same signal if it is okay to pass on that side. If you are passing a tug or larger vessel in a channel it is wise to call the vessel and ask them which on which side they prefer you to pass. 11

12. Crossing Situations Power boat Stand on Power boat Give way Give way
Sail boat
Stand on
Power boat
Give way
Paragraph 65-68
Crossing Situations
In crossing situations, any power driven vessel must give way to a vessel crossing off its starboard side. This area corresponds to your vessel’s danger zone – dead ahead to 2 points (22.5°) abaft the starboard beam (for a total of 112.5°).
If a power driven vessel encounters a sailboat, under sail alone, it must give way. This applies even if the sailboat is not in the danger zone. 12

13. Give Way! Sail Stand on Power Give way 13 Give Way to Sailboat!
Have the students explain the situations pictured above and have them explain them in terms of meeting, crossing and overtaking. Ask to identify each vessel’s danger zone. Ask them why the give-way vessel took the action it took to avoid the collision (why it turned a particular way). 13

14. Give Way! Sail Power Stand on Give way 14 Give Way to Sailboat!
Have the students explain the situations pictured above and have them explain them in terms of meeting, crossing and overtaking. Ask to identify each vessel’s danger zone. Ask them why the give-way vessel took the action it took to avoid the collision (why it turned a particular way). 14

15. Give Way! Sail Stand on Power Give way 15 Give Way to Sailboat!
Have the students explain the situations pictured above and have them explain them in terms of meeting, crossing and overtaking. Ask to identify each vessel’s danger zone. Ask them why the give-way vessel took the action it took to avoid the collision (why it turned a particular way). 15

16. Priority Depends on Wind
Sailboats Meeting
Priority Depends on Wind
Different tacks – port tack is give-way vessel
Same tack – windward is give-way vessel
Paragraph 61-64 16 16

17. Same Tack Give Way Vessel Stand On Vessel WIND 17 Paragraph 62
Animation.
Runs once.
Stand On Vessel 17

18. Restricted Visibility
Proceed with greatest caution
Post a lookout
Adjust speed to stop in one-half visible distance
Display running lights
Provide sound signals
Paragraph 70-77 18 18

19. End Section 4
End of Section 4 19 19