Rules of the Road - America's Boating Club Poverty BayRules of the Road United States Power...

Rules of the Road

United States Power Squadrons

USPS University

Seminar and contents copyrighted by USPS 2008

Seminar Reference

Per Inland Rules: Boats 12 m or greater must carry a copy of these rules

Why Rules?

• Communicate actions

• Set level of expectation

• Provide guidance in various situations

• Identify other boats

AVOID COLLISIONS

Framework

• Parallel sets of rules

Minor differences

• COLREGS –

International Regulations for the Prevention of

Collisions at Sea

• INLAND –

Bays, inland waters (U.S.)

Same language

Adds a few words

Can communicate via radio as well as sound

signals

Line of Demarcation

U.S. Inland Rules

Demarcation Line

COLREGS

Structure of Rules

• Define actions of 2 vessels 38 Rules

• Categories of Rules: General Steering & Sailing Rules

• Those that apply to all Vessels,

• Vessels in Sight of Each other,

• Vessels in limited visibility

Lights & Shapes

Sound and Light Signals

Annexes

Some key thoughts

• Practical

• Rather than absolute right of way… “stand-on” and “give-way”

• except downbound on certain rivers

• Based on maneuverability

• Focus – collision avoidance

International and Inland - General

• General: • Rule 1 – Application

• Rule 2 – Responsibility

• Rule 3 – General Definitions

Rule 1: Application

• The rules apply to ALL VESSELS on the high seas and navigable waters.

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Rule 2: Responsibility

• No matter what happens, the person in charge of the vessel must do everything possible to avoid collision.

• Under certain circumstances you are allowed/expected to break rules to avoid collision.

• Rules do not protect a participant in a collision from fault.

Quackenbush

Rule 3: General Definitions

• Underway: not anchored, grounded, or attached to shore. Includes vessels dead in water.

• In sight: seen with the eyes.

• Restricted Visibility: any atmospheric condition reducing visibility.

• Stand-on vessel: vessel obligated to maintain course & speed.

• Give-way vessel: vessel obligated to keep out of way of other.

Rule 3: General Definitions 2

• Vessel: any watercraft.

• Power-driven Vessel: propelled by machinery.

• Sailing Vessel: propelled by sail alone.

• Seaplane: aircraft which can maneuver on water.

• Vessel not under command (NUC): Vessel unable to maneuver due to exceptional circumstances.

Rule 3: General Definitions 3

• Vessel Engaged in Fishing: vessel fishing with equipment that restricts maneuverability (nets, trawls, etc.)

• Vessel Constrained by Draft: a power driven vessel which, because of draft, is severely restricted in ability to deviate from her course (COLREGS only).

• Vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver: vessel which, due to her nature of her work, cannot maneuver.

Steering and Sailing Rules

• Conduct of Vessels in Any Condition of Visibility: • Rule 4 – Application

• Rule 5 – Lookout

• Rule 6 – Safe Speed

• Rule 7 – Risk of Collision

• Rule 8 – Action to Avoid Collision

• Rule 9 – Narrow Channels

• Rule 10 – Traffic Separation Schemes

Rule 4: Application

• Rules in this section apply in any condition of visibility

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Rule 5: Lookout

• Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight, hearing and installed electronic equipment.

• Skipper appoints a separate (designated) look-out if there is more than one person aboard.

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Rule 6: Safe Speed

• Requires every vessel proceed at a safe speed to avoid collisions under existing conditions and circumstances

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Rule 7: Risk of Collision

• Use all available means to determine if collision with another boat is possible.

• converging on a constant relative bearing…

• results in a collision

• remember skippers must avoid collision

Rule 8: Avoiding Collision

• Give-way vessel must take significant and obvious action in ample time.

• Must be obvious to Stand-on vessel.

Course change may be more apparent

Unless Stand-on is abeam, then speed change may be better

Rule 9: Narrow Channels

• No specific definition Based on relation between

size of boats and channel

• Stay near outer limit to starboard As far as safe and practical

• Other boats Stay clear of vessels

constrained by draft Cross channel at right

angles

• INLAND Downbound vessel has

right-of-way

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Rule 10: Traffic Separation

• Inbound and outbound traffic lanes

• Divided by separation lines or zones

• One-way lanes for large ships

• Vessels under 20 m or fishing shall not impede vessels following lanes

• Cross lanes at right angles

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Traffic Separation Schemes

inbound

outbound separator

Inshore traffic zone

Inshore traffic zone

inbound

outbound separator

Navigation Aid

Southern Approach

Eastern Approach

Cross traffic zones at Right angles

Southeastern Approach

• Conduct of Vessels in Sight of One Another : • Rule 11 - Application

• Rule 12 - Sailing Vessels • Rule 13 - Overtaking • Rule 14 - Head-on • Rule 15 - Crossing Situations

• Rule 16 - Action by the Give-way Vessel

• Rule 17 - Action by the Stand-on Vessel

• Rule 18 - Responsibilities Between Vessels

• Rule 19 - Restricted Visibility

Steering and Sailing Rules

Rule 11: Application

• Rules in this section apply to vessels in sight of one another.

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Rule 12: Sailing Vessels

• Sailing vessels Under sail alone

• No engine

• Sailing vessels approaching each other… one shall keep out of

the way of the other: • Wind different sides

• Wind same side

• Can’t tell

•Give way •Stand-on

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• Sailing vessels Under sail alone

• No engine

• Opposite Tacks Port Tack: Give-Way

• Same Tack Windward: Give-Way

• Downwind Port Tack: Give-Way

• If uncertain Give-Way

port tack

port tack

Rule 12: Sailing Vessels

Rule 13: Overtaking

• Overtaking vessel keeps out of the way All vessels

• Vessel being overtaken maintains course and speed

• Overtaking vessel is give-way until past and clear

• Stand-on Vessel

• Give-way Vessel (overtaking)

• Power-driven vessels meeting head-on

Both are Give-Way vessels

Both should alter course to starboard and pass port-to-port

Sound or VHF to signal agreement on which side

• Exception: Great Lakes and Western Rivers

Downbound have right-of-way over upbound boats

Rule 14: Meeting - Head-on Situation

• Two power vessels cross, the one to the port side of the other is the GIVE-WAY vessel.

• Power vessel GIVES- WAY to sailing vessel

Rule 15: Crossing Situation

Rule 16: Action by Give-Way Vessel

•Stand-On vessel

•Give-Way Vessel

Turn to starboard

Rule 17: Action by Stand-on Vessel

•Stand-On vessel

•Give-Way Vessel

Maintain Course & Speed

Rule 18: Responsibilities Between Vessels

Overtaken

WIG

Only

New

Reels

Catch

Fish

So

Purchase

Some

Worms

Rule 19: Conduct of Vessels in Restricted Visibility

• Applies to vessels not in sight of each other when navigating in or near an area of restricted visibility.

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Lights and Shapes • Rules:

Rule 20 - Application

Rule 21 - Definitions

Rule 22 - Visibility of Lights

Rule 23 - Power Driven Vessels Underway

Rule 24 - Towing and Pushing

Rule 25 - Sailing Vessels

Rule 26 - Fishing Vessels

Rule 27 - Vessels not under command / restricted in ability …

Rule 28 - Vessels constrained by draft

Rule 29 - Pilot vessels

Rule 30 - Vessels aground/at anchor

Rule 31 - Seaplanes

• Lights shall be displayed: From sunset to sunrise

In conditions of restricted visibility

In all other circumstances when deemed appropriate

• Purpose of Lights and Dayshapes: Helps determine stand-on/give-way status.

Indicates the occupation of certain vessels.

Aids in the determination of target angle and course.

Rule 20: Application of Lights

Rule 21: Definitions

• Masthead light - white light over centerline with an unbroken 225° arc and when combined with the stern light covers the entire 360° arc.

• Sidelights - green starboard side and red port side light. Each covering an unbroken 112.5° arc.

• Sternlight - white light on or near the stern showing an unbroken 135° arc.

Rule 21: Definitions (cont.)

• Towing light - a yellow light having the same characteristics as the “sternlight.”

• All-round light – a light showing an unbroken light over a 360° arc.

• Flashing light - a light flashing at regular intervals with a frequency of 120 flashes or more per minute.

Rule 22: Visibility of Lights

Rule 22: Visibility of Lights

TYPE OF LIGHT COLOR ARC

MINIMUM RANGE Boat Length

>50 m 12-50 m

Masthead white 225° 6 nm 5 nm

Sidelight red / green 112.5° 3 nm 2nm

Sternlight white 135° 3 nm 2 nm

Towing yellow 135° 3 nm 2 nm

All around various 360° 3 nm 2 nm

Flashing yellow / blue 360° 3 nm 2 nm

Rule 23: Power-Driven Vessels

Rule 24: Towing/Pushing

Rule 25 : Sailing Vessels

Rule 26: Fishing Vessels

Rule 27: Vessels Not Under Command

• If making way, side/stern light

• “Red over red, Captain is dead”

McGraw-Hill

Rule 27: Vessels Restricted in Their Ability to Maneuver

• Dayshape = ball-diamond-ball • “A” for diving operations • 3 green lights (not vertical) for mine clearing

USN

USN

Rule 28: Vessels Constrained by Draft

Day

McGraw-Hill

Night

Rule 29: Pilot Vessel

“White over red, pilot ahead”

USN

Rule 30: Vessels Anchored

Rule 30: Vessels Aground

McGraw-Hill

Rule 31: Seaplanes (& WIGs)

• Shall exhibit lights and

shapes as closely similar

in characteristics and

position as is possible.

US Army Wing in Ground (WIG)

Sound Signals

• Rules: Rule 32 – Definitions

Rule 33 – Equipment for Sound Signals

Rule 34 – Maneuvering and Warning Signals

Rule 35 - Sound Signals in Restricted Visibility

Rule 36 - Signals to Attract Attention

Rule 37 – Distress Signals

Rule 32: Definitions

• Whistle - any sound appliance capable of producing the prescribed blasts and meets the Regulations Annex III specifications.

• Short blast - a blast of about one seconds’ duration (.)

• Prolonged blast – a blast of from four to six seconds (-)

Rule 33: Equipment for Sound Signals

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• A vessel 12 m or more shall have a whistle.

• A vessel 20 m or more shall have a bell in addition to whistle.

• A vessel 100 m or more shall have a gong in addition to whistle & bell.

• A vessel less than 12 m shall have means to make an efficient sound signal.

Rule 34: Maneuvering and Warning Signals

COLREGs INLAND

Signal

Intended action Proposed action

Answer

Meeting / Crossing

None required

Respond: Same signal (<½ mi)

Overtaking narrow channel

Acknowledge Respond: Same signal

Rule 34: Maneuvering and Warning Signals (Cont.)

Meeting/Crossing – I intend/propose* going to:

Starboard

Port

Astern

Warning (disagree)

Approaching Bend or departing dock (inland)

* COLREGS/INLAND

Rule 34: Maneuvering and Warning Signals (Cont.)

Overtaking – I propose (INLAND) overtaking to:

Starboard

Port

Agree to be overtaken* echo same signal

Warning (I don’t understand)

Approaching Bend or departing dock (inland)

* Agreement required before taking action

Rule 34: Maneuvering and Warning Signals (Cont.)

Overtaking – I intend (COLREGS) overtaking to:

Starboard

Port

Agree to be overtaken*

Warning (I don’t understand)

* Agreement required before taking action

Rule 35: Sound Signal in Restricted Visibility

Power

Making way

Stopped

Manned tow

NUC, Restricted Maneuver including: Sail, fishing, restricted draft

Anchored

Aground (<20m) any sound every 2min

Rule 36: Signals to Attract Attention

• Any vessel may make light or sound signals that can not be mistaken… to attract attention of another vessel…

• Note: Inland Rules allow use of strobes

Rule 37: Distress Signals

•“I need assistance”