The Navigation Rules, or “Rules of the Road,” are the traffic laws on the water, and all boaters are required to follow them. Their purpose is to prevent collisions or dangerous close-quarters situations between vessels. They are different from The Racing Rules of Sailing, which apply only between sailboats that are racing.
Here are Some Basic Navigation Rules for Sailing Situations:
1. Look-Out and Safe Speed: Every vessel must maintain a proper look-out at all times (Rule 5) and proceed at a safe speed to avoid collision (Rule 6).
2. Action to Avoid Collision: Actions to avoid collision or close-quarters situations must be made in ample time and be large enough to be readily apparent to another vessel (Rule 8).
3. Actions by Give-way and Stand-on Vessels: A vessel that is required to keep out of the way of another (the “give-way” vessel) must take early and substantial action to keep well clear. The other (the “stand-on” vessel) must hold her course and speed (Rules 16 and 17).
4. Vessels Restricted in their Ability to Maneuver: A sailing vessel must not impede the passage of a vessel that can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway (Rule 9).
Use common sense and drive defensively. Do not expect a large vessel to maneuver around your small sailboat – they can’t and won’t! Be aware that from the bridge of a large ship, there may be a blind spot of a quarter mile or more. If you are crossing close in front of a ship, they probably can’t see you.
Don’t rely on the old saying “Power gives way to sail” – it’s wrong in many cases and it would be foolhardy to assume that they will.
5. Sailboats on Opposite Tacks: When sailboats are on opposite tacks, the port-tack boat keeps out of the way of the starboard-tack boat (Rule 12).
6. Sailboats on the Same Tack: When sailboats are on the same tack, the windward boat keeps out of the way of the leeward boat (Rule 12).
7. Overtaking Vessels: Any vessel overtaking another must keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken (Rule 13). Give the overtaken vessel plenty of room when passing from astern.
For more information about the Rules of the Road, see the USCG International/Inland Navigation Rules.
Find out how and where to learn to sail or advance your existing skills here.