operating your boat safely operating your boat safely

OPERATING YOUR OPERATING YOUR

BOAT SAFELYBOAT SAFELY

Key TopicsKey Topics

Navigation rules Navigation rules

Navigation lightsNavigation lights

Night navigationNight navigation

Navigational aids Navigational aids

Sound signalsSound signals

Compasses and chartsCompasses and charts

Navigation RulesNavigation Rules

Three basic rules of navigation: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.

Navigation Rules Navigation Rules (cont.)(cont.)

There are two terms to help explain what to do when There are two terms to help explain what to do when encountering other vesselsencountering other vessels

Give-way vesselGive-way vessel——vessel vessel which is required to take which is required to take early and substantial early and substantial action to keep well away action to keep well away from other vessels. from other vessels.


Stand-on vesselStand-on vessel——vessel which should maintain its vessel which should maintain its course and speed unless it becomes apparent that give-course and speed unless it becomes apparent that give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action.way vessel is not taking appropriate action.


Navigation rules depend on:Navigation rules depend on:

Type of situationType of situation

Type of vessels involvedType of vessels involved


When meeting another vessel head-on:When meeting another vessel head-on:

Power vs. Power:Power vs. Power: Neither Neither vessel is stand-on boatvessel is stand-on boat——both vessels should keep both vessels should keep to starboard (right).to starboard (right).

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Power vs. Sail:Power vs. Sail: Powerboat Powerboat is give-way boat.is give-way boat.


When meeting another vessel in a crossing situation:When meeting another vessel in a crossing situation:

Power vs. Power:Power vs. Power: Vessel Vessel on port (left) is give-way on port (left) is give-way boat.boat.


Power vs. Sail:Power vs. Sail: Power- Power-driven vessel is the give-driven vessel is the give-way boat.way boat.


When overtaking another vessel:When overtaking another vessel:

Power vs. Power:Power vs. Power: Vessel Vessel which is overtaking which is overtaking another vessel is give-another vessel is give-way boat.way boat.

Power vs. Sail:Power vs. Sail: Vessel Vessel which is overtaking which is overtaking another vessel is give-way another vessel is give-way boat.boat.



When a sailboat encounters another sailboat:When a sailboat encounters another sailboat:

Wind on same side:Wind on same side: Leeward vessel is stand-Leeward vessel is stand-on boat. on boat.

Wind on different sides:Wind on different sides: Vessel with wind on Vessel with wind on starboard (right) side is starboard (right) side is stand-on boat.stand-on boat.


Navigation Rules – ExceptionsNavigation Rules – Exceptions

If operating power-driven vessel, you must give-way to:If operating power-driven vessel, you must give-way to:

Vessel not under commandVessel not under command

Vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver or a vessel Vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver or a vessel constrained by its draft, such as large ship in channelconstrained by its draft, such as large ship in channel

Vessel engaged in commercial fishingVessel engaged in commercial fishing

Sailing vessel unless it is overtakingSailing vessel unless it is overtaking

Navigation Rules – Exceptions Navigation Rules – Exceptions (cont.)(cont.)

If operating a sailing vessel, you must give-way to:If operating a sailing vessel, you must give-way to:

Vessel not under commandVessel not under command

Vessel restricted in ability to maneuverVessel restricted in ability to maneuver

Vessel engaged in commercial fishingVessel engaged in commercial fishing


Operating in Narrow Channels:Operating in Narrow Channels:

A vessel in a narrow channel must keep as far to right of A vessel in a narrow channel must keep as far to right of channel as is safe and practical.channel as is safe and practical.

If operating a power-driven vessel heading upstream on If operating a power-driven vessel heading upstream on Mississippi River system, all vessels coming toward you Mississippi River system, all vessels coming toward you from opposite direction have right-of-way and you must from opposite direction have right-of-way and you must give-way.give-way.


You may not get in the way of vessels that can only You may not get in the way of vessels that can only navigate within a channel if you are operating a vessel:navigate within a channel if you are operating a vessel:

● Less than 20 meters (65.6 ft.)Less than 20 meters (65.6 ft.)

● Under sail or engaged in fishingUnder sail or engaged in fishing

● Crossing channelCrossing channel

You must not anchor in a narrow channel unless You must not anchor in a narrow channel unless circumstances require doing so.circumstances require doing so.


You must use appropriate sound signals and use caution You must use appropriate sound signals and use caution while operating in a narrow channel when:while operating in a narrow channel when:

● Overtaking or being overtakenOvertaking or being overtaken

● When your view is obstructed When your view is obstructed

If you are leaving a dock, slip, or tie-up mooring, you If you are leaving a dock, slip, or tie-up mooring, you must give-way to all approaching vessels.must give-way to all approaching vessels.

Navigation LightsNavigation Lights

Navigation lights help you and other boaters determine Navigation lights help you and other boaters determine which is the give-way vessel when encountering each which is the give-way vessel when encountering each other at night.other at night.

These lights must be displayed from sunset to sunrise These lights must be displayed from sunset to sunrise and during periods of restricted visibility.and during periods of restricted visibility.

Navigation Lights Navigation Lights (cont.)(cont.)

SidelightsSidelights

● redred light indicates vessel’s port (left) side.light indicates vessel’s port (left) side.

● greengreen light indicates vessel’s starboard (right) side.light indicates vessel’s starboard (right) side.


Masthead LightMasthead Light

●Must be used by all vessels Must be used by all vessels when under engine power.when under engine power.

●Absence of this light identifies Absence of this light identifies sailboat under sail.sailboat under sail.

SternlightSternlight


All-Round White Light All-Round White Light

● May be used to combine masthead and stern light on May be used to combine masthead and stern light on vessels less than 39.4 ft in length.vessels less than 39.4 ft in length.

● Serves as anchor light when sidelights are extinguished.Serves as anchor light when sidelights are extinguished.

Night NavigationNight Navigation

Lights of other vessels help you determine:Lights of other vessels help you determine:

● If operating under power or sail If operating under power or sail

● Their direction of travelTheir 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 Never assume lights of other vessels are working properly.properly.

Night Navigation Night Navigation (cont.)(cont.)



When you see red and When you see red and white lights you must white lights you must give-way to other vessel.give-way to other vessel.

When you see white and When you see white and green lights you are the green lights you are the stand-on vessel.stand-on vessel.



When you see When you see onlyonly a white light, you are overtaking a white light, you are overtaking another vessel or it is anchored and it is the stand-on another vessel or it is anchored and it is the stand-on vessel.vessel.



When you see red, green, and white lights, you are When you see red, green, and white lights, you are approaching another power-driven vessel head-on so approaching another power-driven vessel head-on so both vessels must give-way.both vessels must give-way.



When you see only red and green lights, you are When you see only red and green lights, you are approaching sailing vessel head-on and you must approaching sailing vessel head-on and you must give-way.give-way.



When you see only a red When you see only a red light, you are approaching light, you are approaching a sailboat under sail and a sailboat under sail and you must give-way.you must give-way.


When you see only a green When you see only a green light, you are approaching a light, you are approaching a sailboat under sail and you sailboat under sail and you must give-way.must give-way.


Towing LightsTowing Lights

When commercial vessels are towing, they display one or When commercial vessels are towing, they display one or more yellow lights in place of sternlightmore yellow lights in place of sternlight——may be space of may be space of several hundred yards between lights displayed on bow several hundred yards between lights displayed on bow and stern of vessel.and stern of vessel.

Sound SignalsSound Signals

Sound signals are composed of short and long blasts Sound signals are composed of short and long blasts and must be audible for at least one-half mile:and must be audible for at least one-half mile:

Short blastShort blast is about one second in duration. is about one second in duration.

Prolonged blastProlonged blast is 4-6 seconds in duration. is 4-6 seconds in duration.

Sound Signals Sound Signals (cont.)(cont.)

Vessel operators use sound signals to communicate Vessel operators use sound signals to communicate change in direction to other boaters:change in direction to other boaters:

One short blastOne short blast tells other boaters, “I intend to pass you tells other boaters, “I intend to pass you on my port (left) side.”on my port (left) side.”

Two short blastsTwo short blasts tells other boaters, “I intend to pass you tells other boaters, “I intend to pass you on my starboard (right) side.”on my starboard (right) side.”

Three short blastsThree short blasts tells other boaters, “I am backing up.” tells other boaters, “I am backing up.”


Sound signals let other boaters know where you are Sound signals let other boaters know where you are during periods of restricted visibility:during periods of restricted visibility:

One prolonged blastOne prolonged blast at intervals of no more than two at intervals of no more than two minutesminutes is the signal used by power-driven vessels when is the signal used by power-driven vessels when underway.underway.

One prolonged plus two short blasts at intervals of no One prolonged plus two short blasts at intervals of no more than two minutesmore than two minutes is the signal used by sailing is the signal used by sailing

vessels.vessels.


Sound signals are used to warn other boaters or alert Sound signals are used to warn other boaters or alert them to danger:them to danger:

One prolonged blastOne prolonged blast is a warning signal. is a warning signal.

Five (or more) short, rapid blastsFive (or more) short, rapid blasts are used to signal are used to signal danger or that you do not understand or disagree with danger or that you do not understand or disagree with the the other boater’s intentions.other boater’s intentions.

U.S. Aids To Navigation SystemU.S. Aids To Navigation System (cont.)(cont.)

Nuns and CansNuns and Cans – red cone-shaped (nuns) – red cone-shaped (nuns) or green cylindrical-shaped (cans)or green cylindrical-shaped (cans)

Lighted BuoysLighted Buoys – marked with Lateral – marked with Lateral SystemSystem

DaymarksDaymarks – red triangles or green squares – red triangles or green squares attached permanently to structures; can attached permanently to structures; can be lighted.be lighted.

U.S. Aids To Navigation System U.S. Aids To Navigation System (ATON)(ATON)

Lateral MarkersLateral Markers

Red colors, red lights,Red colors, red lights, and and even numberseven numbers indicate right side of channel as boater indicate right side of channel as boater enters enters from open sea or heads upstream.from open sea or heads upstream.

Green colors, green lightsGreen colors, green lights and and odd numbersodd numbers indicate left side of indicate left side of channel as boater enters from open channel as boater enters from open sea or heads upstream.sea or heads upstream.


Use this phrase as a reminder of the correct course Use this phrase as a reminder of the correct course when returning from open waters or heading upstream:when returning from open waters or heading upstream:

““Red Right Returning”Red Right Returning”


Red and green colors and/or lights indicates preferred Red and green colors and/or lights indicates preferred (primary channel)(primary channel)

● If green on top, preferred channel is to right.If green on top, preferred channel is to right.

● If red on top, preferred channel is to left.If red on top, preferred channel is to left.


Non-Lateral MarkersNon-Lateral Markers

SquaresSquares provide information indicating provide information indicating directions, distances, places, food and directions, distances, places, food and supplies, repairs, etc.supplies, repairs, etc.

DiamondsDiamonds warn of dangers such as warn of dangers such as rocks, dams, shoals, construction, or rocks, dams, shoals, construction, or stumps.stumps.


CirclesCircles indicate controlled areas indicate controlled areas such as speed limit, no fishing, or such as speed limit, no fishing, or anchoring, etc.anchoring, etc.

Crossed diamondsCrossed diamonds indicate areas indicate areas off-limits (exclusion area) to all off-limits (exclusion area) to all vessels, such as swimming areas, vessels, such as swimming areas, dams, and spillways.dams, and spillways.


Other Non-Lateral MarkersOther Non-Lateral Markers

Safe Water MarkerSafe Water Marker indicate indicate unobstructed water on all sides; unobstructed water on all sides; they mark mid-channels or they mark mid-channels or fairways and may be passed on fairways and may be passed on either side.either side.

Inland Waters Obstruction Inland Waters Obstruction MarkerMarker indicate an obstruction to indicate an obstruction to navigation; you should not pass navigation; you should not pass between these buoys and the between these buoys and the shore.shore.


Mooring BuoyMooring Buoy found in marinas and found in marinas and other areas vessels are allowed to other areas vessels are allowed to anchor; these are the only buoys anchor; these are the only buoys you may legally tie up to.you may legally tie up to.

Compasses and ChartsCompasses and Charts

Compass shows magnetic north to which you apply a Compass shows magnetic north to which you apply a correction to determine the direction of true north.correction to determine the direction of true north.

Useful if land is out of sight Useful if land is out of sight or visibility is reduced.or visibility is reduced.

Compass should be Compass should be mounted away from iron, mounted away from iron, magnets, or electrical magnets, or electrical wiring and equipment.wiring and equipment.

Compasses and Charts Compasses and Charts (cont.)(cont.)

Nautical charts are helpful when boating in bays or in Nautical charts are helpful when boating in bays or in large lakes; charts give:large lakes; charts give:

Water depthsWater depths

Locations of channels, sand bars, rocks, and vegetation Locations of channels, sand bars, rocks, and vegetation

Most direct courses possibleMost direct courses possible

Compasses and Charts Compasses and Charts (cont.)(cont.)

operating your boat safely operating your boat safely

Documents

powerdriven vessel

leeward vessel

way boat

way of vessels

animationnavigation

vesselsgiveway vesselvessel

right of channel

approaching vessels