United States Power Squadrons

1. United States Power Squadrons Chapter 5 Rules of the Road

2. Learning Objectives • This chapter based on: • The one Minute Guide to the Nautical Rules of the Roadby Charlie Wing • It is intended to serve as a reference and acquaint you with boating rules and as the primer for the more extensive study of Navigation Rules.

3. Wing’s Book • Part 1 – What every boater needs to know • Part 2 – rules for reference

4. Preview of Rules of the Road • Three topics: • Navigation Rules • Navigation Lights • Sound Signals

5. The Rules Make Sense • Rules intended to prevent collisions at sea • Proscribe responsibilities for each vessel • Generally, place the burden on the more maneuverable vessel

6. Two Sets of Rules • International Regulations for Preventing Collision at Sea (COLREGS) • Inland Rules to Navigation (U.S.) • Very little difference between the two • COLREGS apply outside Demarcation Line • Both are included in Wing’s book • Added Inland Rule language is italicized

7. Application • International rules (COLREGS) apply: • to all vessels upon the high seas and all waters connected to the high seas and navigable by seagoing vessels. • US Inland rules apply: • on the Great lakes, Western Rivers, waterways, and waters inside the Demarcation Line

8. Responsibility • Everyone having to do with the vessel operations is responsible for: • rule compliance • using caution • good sense • good seamanship • immediate danger avoidance

9. Definitions • Power Driven Vessel:any watercraft usable to transport on water – including seaplane • Power-driven Vessel:propelled in whole or in part 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 some exceptional circumstances

10. Definitions cont. • 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 her draft in relations to the depth and width of navigable water, is severely restricted in ability to deviate from the course she is following (COLREGS only). • Vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver:vessel which, due to her nature of her work, cannot maneuver easily.

11. Definitions cont. • Underway:vessel not anchored, grounded, or otherwise attached to shore. Includes vessels dead in water and not making way. • 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.

12. Pecking Order

13. Look-Out • Every vessel shall at all times maintain a properlook-outby sight, hearing and installed electronic equipment. • Skipper appoints a separate look-out if there is more than one person aboard.

14. Safe Speed • Requires every vessel proceed at asafe speedto avoid collisions under existing conditions and circumstances • Visibility and weather • Background lights • Traffic • Maneuverability • Current • Navigation hazards • Limitations

15. Risk of Collision (p16 Wing) • converging on a constant relative bearing… • results in a collision • remember skippers must avoid collision

16. Avoiding Collision • Rules designed to avoid collisions • Define actions of 2 boats encountering each other • Depends upon • Their relative positions • The type of boats

17. Relative Position • Overtaking • Meeting • Crossing

18. Overtaking (p 24 Wing) • Overtaking vessel • Comes from within 135° arc of stern • You Stand-on • They Give-Way • Both boats use sound or VHF signals agree to passage • The overtaking boat is burdened to safely steer clear

19. Meeting Head-on (Power) • 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

20. Power Vessels Crossing • Boat from starboard • You Give-Way • Boat from port • You Stand-on • Exception: Great Lakes, Western Rivers • Crossing vessels must Give-Way to both upbound and downbound vessels

21. Avoid Collision (p 19 Wing)521

22. Sailboats • Not under Power • Opposite Tacks • Port Tack: Give-Way • Same Tack • Windward: Give-Way • Downwind • Port Tack: Give-Way • If uncertain • Give-Way

23. Pecking Order - revisited • Different vessel types • The pecking order determines which vessel is give-way • Any vessel down the list is the give-way vessel • The pecking order is determined by the relative maneuverability of the two vessels • The give-way vessel must keep out of the way of the other vessel

24. Meeting Head on

25. Vessels Crossing • Two power vessels approach, the one on the port side • of the other is the GIVE-WAY vessel. • Power vessel GIVES WAY to sailing vessel

26. Fog Situation • In or near restricted visibility • Slow to safe speed • Post a lookout • Sound fog signals

27. Limited room to maneuver Stay out of narrow channels and fairways ‘…vessel less than 20m …shall not impede passage of vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway.” In narrow channel: Stay on the starboard side Do not cross if interfering with a confined vessel Do not anchor in a channel Sound a prolonged blast approaching a bend or obstruction Narrow Channel

28. Traffic Separation • Traffic separation schemes (TSS) • Inbound and outbound separated traffic lanes • one-way lanes for large ships • Magenta color on charts • Inland Rules: Vessel traffic services

29. Communications Sounds • When maneuvering action is required to avoid collision • vessels must use sound signals to communicate their intentions • Use VHF Marine channel 13 • Restricted visibility signals

30. Maneuvering: In Sight -Signals

31. Maneuvering: In Sight-Signals * COLREGS/INLAND

32. Overtaking–Narrow Channel Agreement required before action I intend/propose* overtaking you on your: * COLREGS/INLAND

33. Restricted Visibility - Sounds EVERY TWO MINUTES

34. Vessels Overtaking 2 Blasts Leave the stand-on vessel on your starboard 2 Blasts Leave the stand-on vessel on your starboard 1 Blast Leave the stand-on vessel on your port side 1 Blast Leave the stand-on vessel on your port side

35. Lights - Geometry

36. Light Patterns Power Sail • Rules • specify colors • arcs of visibility • by vessel type • Three purposes • Alert other vessels • your presence • relative location • Indicate information • your vessel’s size • course, and type • Assist the skipper • properly apply Navigation Rules Option <12m

37. Light Visibility

38. Power Driven Vessels Under Way

39. Vessels Towing and Pushing

40. Sailing Vessels Underway and Vessels Under Oars

41. Fishing Vessels

42. Vessels Not Under Command or Restricted in Their Ability to Maneuver

43. Anchored Vessels and Vessels Aground

44. Questions regarding vessel intentions – call on CH13; no reply use CH16 Security Broadcast Systems – monitor CH13 Intl Rules do not allow use of VHF radio in lieu of sound signals VHF Radio – Radiotelephone Act

45. 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

46. Distress Signals • Gun or explosive signal • Continuous sound device • Red star rockets or shells • Morse Code: “SOS” • Radio: “MAYDAY” • Signal Flag • onboard flames • Orange smoke • EPIRB or transponder • High intensity white flashing light (Inland Rules)

47. End Rules of the Road Chapter 5

48. Supplemental slides for your use

49. Federal Navigation Regulations • COLREGS (International Navigation Rules) • 33 CFR 80 - COLREGS Demarcation Lines • 33 CFR 81 - 72 COLREGS: Implementing Rules • 33 CFR 82- 72 COLREGS: Interpretive Rules • Inland Navigation Rules• 33 CFR 84 - Annex I: Positioning and technical details of lights and shapes• 33 CFR 85 - Annex II: Additional signals for fishing vessels fishing in close proximity• 33 CFR 86 - Annex III: Technical details of sound signal appliances• 33 CFR 87 - Annex IV: Distress Signals• 33 CFR 88 - Annex V: Pilot Rules• 33 CFR 90 - Inland Navigation Rules: Interpretive Rules • Regattas and Marine Parades • 33 CFR 100 - Safety of Life on Navigable Waters. Provides effective control over regattas and marine parades conducted on the navigable waters of the United States so as to insure safety of life in the regatta or marine parade area.

50. Maneuvering & Warning Signals Signal Meaning Number of Blasts • I intend to alter course to starboard 1 Short Blast And pass you on my Port Side (1-2 Seconds) • I intend to turn to Port and pass you on my Starboard Side 2 Short Blasts • My engines are running astern 3 Short Blasts I am in reverse and backing • There is danger in what you Intend to do. I do not agree with your intentions. 5 or more Short Blasts I’m sounding the danger Signal. • I am departing my berth or mooring 1 Prolonged Blast I am approaching a channel bend (4-6 Seconds) or intervening obstruction