The One-Minute Guide to the Nautical Rules of the Road (INTERNATIONAL MARINE-RMP) - Softcover

Wing, Charlie

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0071479236 ISBN 13: 9780071479233

Publisher: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press, 2006

Synopsis

Your quick-access guide to international andU.S. boating rules

The U.S. Coast Guard requires every boat morethan 39-feet long to carry a copy of the nauticalrules of the road onboard. Here’s one that is convenientand handy enough for quick reference on thewater. This bestselling guide includes the full text of the original rules, and Charlie Wing’s clear, rule-by-rule translations make them easy to follow. It also includes a "One-Minute Guide Decision Tree" and a brief overview of the rules’ intent to give you a good idea of what to do in any common situation.

About this title

About the Author

Charlie Wing received his Ph.D. in oceanography from MIT, where he later worked as a research scientist. Since then his career has been explaining how things work--teaching physics at Bowdoin College, founding America’s first two do-it-yourself house-building schools (the Shelter Institute and Cornerstone), hosting a PBS series on energy conservation, and writing a dozen top-selling books on home building, home maintenance, and remodeling. Wing lived aboard a cruising sailboat for six years, during which time he wrote the first edition of this book on a solar-powered Macintosh computer. He is the author of four other IM books.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

The One-Minute Guide to the Nautical Rules of the Road

By Charlie Wing

The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Copyright © 2007 International Marine
All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-0-07-147923-3

Contents

Introduction
How to Use this Book
Part One What Every Boater Needs to Know
Important Definitions
Do the Rules Apply to Me?
How Am I Responsible?
Does My Boat Need a Lookout?
What Is a Safe Speed?
Determining Risk of Collision
Action to Avoid Collision
In a Narrow Channel or Fairway
Traffic Separation Schemes
Overtaking
Power-Driven Vessels Meeting Head-On
Power-Driven Vessels Crossing
Two Sailboats Meeting
Mixed Vessel Types—The Pecking Order
Fog Situation
Sounds—Blow Your Own Horn
Lights—What Can They Tell You?
VHF Radio
Part Two International and Inland Rules
General
Steering and Sailing Rules
Lights and Shapes
Sound and Light Signals
Annexes
Annex I: Positioning and Technical Details of Lights and Shapes
Annex II: Additional Signals for Fishing Vessels Fishing in Close 
Proximity
Annex III: Technical Details of Sound Signal Appliances
Annex IV: Distress Signals
Annex V: Pilot Rules (Inland Only)
Interpretive Rules
COLREGS Demarcation Lines
Penalty Provisions
Alternative Compliance
Waters Specified By the Secretary
Vessel Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Regulations
Legal Citations
Conversion Table
Index

Excerpt

CHAPTER 1

What Every Boater Needs to Know

The purpose of the Rules is not, as is commonly thought, to grant one boat theright-of-way over another. The idea of a "right-of-way" fell out of favor as itbecame clear, through court cases, that avoiding a collision between two boatsrequires the participation of both parties. The purpose of the Rules is topresent, in a situation where danger of collision between two boats exists,guidelines for the actions required of both. Under the Rules, one boat isdesignated the stand-on vessel; the other the give-way vessel (see page 12).These designations carry obligations for each vessel to act in a specified wayto avoid collision.

It is important to note that the Rules never address situations involving morethan two boats. Whenever the possibility of collision exists between more thantwo boats, common sense must be your principal guide.

RULE3

Important Definitions

Vessel: anything that carries people or cargo on or in the water, includingkayaks, personal watercraft, WIG craft and seaplanes, and super tankers.

Power-driven vessel: any vessel underway with an engine that does notfall intoany of the other special categories defined below.

Sailing vessel: a sailboat underway with sails (not using an engine).

Vessel engaged in fishing: any boat fishing with equipment which limitsitsability to maneuver (nets, trawls, etc.).

Vessel not under command: a vessel unable to maneuver as required by theRules,due to mechanical breakdown or any other reason.

Vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver: a vessel that, due to thenatureof her work, cannot maneuver easily. Examples include buoy tenders, dredges,dive boats, minesweepers, and tugs with difficult tows.

Vessel constrained by her draft: a vessel that may go aground if itdeviatesfrom its course. (Note that the Inland Rules do not contain this definition.)

Underway: not anchored, grounded, or otherwise attached to shore. A boatdoesnot have to be moving either through the water or over the ground to beunderway.

Restricted visibility: any condition that reduces visibility, includingfog,heavy rain, snow, and smoke.

Give-way vessel: the vessel obligated to keep out of the way of theother.

Stand-on vessel: the vessel obligated to maintain its course and speed.

Wing-In-Ground (WIG) Craft: a multimodal craft which, in its mainoperationalmode, flies in close proximity to the surface by utilizing surface-effectaction.

Do the Rules Apply to Me?

RULE1

In a word—yes. The International Regulations for the Prevention ofCollision at Sea (COLREGS) apply to all vessels, from kayaks to ocean-liners, onall of the oceans and bodies of water outside the magenta (red) Demarcation Lineprinted on charts. The United States Inland Rules apply on the Great Lakes,Western Rivers, waterways, and specific bays inside the Demarcation Line.

How Am I Responsible?

RULE2

Everyone having to do with the operation of your boat—its owner, master(person in charge underway), and crew—is responsible for obeying theRules, as well as for using caution, good sense, and good seamanship. However,the Rules acknowledge that they cannot cover every conceivable situation. Ifabsolutely necessary to avoid immediate danger, you are, in fact, required tobreak the Rules. In other words, use your head for the purpose intended, not asa hat rack.

Does My Boat Need a Lookout?

RULE5

Absolutely! Your boat is required to maintain a lookout for the possibility ofcollision at all times and to use all available methods and equipment (eyes,ears, radio, and radar, if installed). Of course, if you are the only person onboard, then you have to serve as master, crew, and lookout all at the same time.If there is more than one person aboard, however, the master should appoint aseparate lookout.

What Is a Safe Speed?

RULE6

You must never exceed a safe speed for the conditions. The Rules do not define"safe speed," but the courts have often interpreted it as the speed that wouldallow a boat to avoid collision. Factors you must consider include: visibilityconditions, background lights, traffic intensity, maneuverability of yourvessel, maneuverability of other vessels, wind and current, navigationalhazards, depth of water, and the limitations of radar.

Determining Risk of Collision

RULE7

Collision with another boat is possible when the compass bearing to it remainsconstant as your two boats converge. The rule specifically says that you mustuse all available means, including radar if you have it, to aid in thisdetermination. Fortunately, for small boat operators without radar, a relativebearing sighted against a stanchion or other fixed part of your boat maysubstitute for a compass bearing, as long as you maintain constant course andspeed. If there is any doubt at all, consider that collision is possible.

Action to Avoid Collision

RULE8

The give-way boat's action to avoid collision must be early and large enough toassure the stand-on boat that she is taking action. Given room to maneuver,changing course is better than changing speed because it is more immediatelyobvious to the other boat. A course change large enough to be obvious wouldpresent a different view of the give-way boat in daylight and differentnavigation lights at night. A large enough speed change would be throttling downto no-wake speed or even stopping.

The stand-on vessel is obligated to maintain course and speed. In a collisionsituation, the actions permitted or required of the stand-on vessel take placein four stages.

1. Before the risk of collision exists, either boat may maneuver as itpleases.

2. Once risk of collision exists, the stand-on boat must maintain itscourse and speed.

3. If it seems to the stand-on boat that the other boat is not going tokeep outof the way, then she should sound the danger signal (five short blasts) andmaytake any action except a turn to port for a give-way boat on her port.

4. If the situation develops to the point where a collision can nolonger beavoided by the action of the give-way boat alone, the stand-on boat isrequiredto sound the danger signal and take the most effective action it can to avoidthe collision.

One-Minute Guide Decision Tree

The decision tree found on the inside front cover acts as a quick reference whenapproaching another vessel. If you can see the other boat, use the "In-SightSituation" guidelines. Begin at the top and move down the left-hand column untilyou find the circumstance that pertains to you. If you are in an area ofrestricted visibility, use the bottom portion of the tree. The followinginformation will help you identify your situation.

In a Narrow Channel or Fairway

RULE9

A channel is a safe route between hazards, or a deeper route through shallowwater. It is "narrow" when boats in it are severely limited in room to maneuver.A fairway is the thoroughfare between docks and piers in a harbor. In general,stay out of narrow channels and fairways that are trafficked heavily by largeships and tugs. When in a narrow channel or fairway, however:

* Stay as close as possible to the starboard side.

* Sailboats, fishing boats, and boats of less than twenty meters should stayclear of boats that are confined to the channel.

* Do not cross the channel if it will interfere with a boat confined to thechannel.

* Do not anchor in the channel.

* Sound a prolonged (four-to-six second) blast when approaching a bend or otherobscured area. Boats approaching in the opposite direction should answer withthe same signal.

Traffic Separation Schemes

RULE10

Traffic separation schemes (TSS) are inbound and outbound traffic lanes, dividedby separation lines or zones, and printed in magenta on charts. Their purpose isto provide one-way lanes for large ships into and out of major ports. Betweenthe traffic lanes and any adjacent land masses, you will usually find inshoretraffic zones (labeled as such on your chart). Sailboats, fishing boats, and allboats under twenty meters (65'7") are free to use these inshore traffic zones,and in any case, are to stay clear of any ship using a traffic lane. If you mustcross a traffic lane, do so quickly, far away from other vessels, and at a rightangle to the flow of traffic.

Note that vessel traffic services, found only in the Inland Rules, are roughlyequivalent to traffic separation schemes.

Overtaking

RULE13

You are overtaking another boat when you approach it within the 135° arc ofitssternlight. If there is any doubt as to whether you are overtaking, assume thatyou are.

When an overtaken boat must take action to be safely passed (as in a narrowchannel), both boats must first reach agreement through sound signals (see page31) or via VHF radio (Inland only). The burden is on the overtaking boat tosteer clear until it is totally past and safely clear of the overtaken boat.

Power-Driven Vessels Meeting Head-On

RULE14

Power-driven vessels meeting head-on should each alter course to starboard andpass port-to-port. Head-on is when you see: 1) in daylight, another boat headednearly straight at you, or 2) at night, both sidelights or the masthead lightsof the other nearly in line. If you have the slightest doubt whether thesituation is head-on, assume that it is.

Exception: Power-driven vessels proceeding downbound on the Great Lakes andWestern Rivers have the right-of-way over upbound boats and should propose themanner of passage via sound signals or VHF radio. Also, both upbound anddownbound power-driven vessels have the right-of-way over all types of crossingvessels.

Power-Driven Vessels Crossing

RULE15

A boat crossing your path from your starboard side should stand on (maintaincourse and speed), while a boat approaching you on your port side must give way.The give-way boat should not cross ahead of the stand-on boat. Remember, astand-on boat on your starboard side sees your green "go" light, while a boat onyour port side sees your red "stop" light. Conversely, you see the "go" light ofa boat on your port, and the "stop" light of a vessel on your starboard.Exception: On the Great Lakes and Western Rivers, any type of vesselcrossing ariver must keep out of the way of a power boat ascending or descending theriver, regardless of port and starboard.

Two Sailboats Meeting

RULE12

First, a sailboat is a "sailing vessel" only when she is using her sails as heronly source of propulsion. Next, the "tack" of a sailboat is the side oppositethat on which the mainsail is carried (or, on a square-rigged vessel, thelargest fore-and-aft sail). Given these definitions, the rule governingsailboats is simple:

* When two sailboats are on different tacks, the boat on the port tack must keepclear.

* When two sailboats are on the same tack, the boat to windward (upwind) mustkeep clear.

* If a sailboat on a port tack is uncertain of the tack of an upwind sailboat,she must still keep clear.

Mixed Vessel Types—The Pecking Order

RULE18

Other than in a traffic separation scheme, a narrow channel, or an overtakingsituation, you must observe a "pecking order." Find your boat in theillustration. You must stay clear of all vessel types above you; all vesseltypes below you must keep clear of you. Vessels not under command and vesselsrestricted in ability to maneuver share the top billing.

In order to claim privileged status, a vessel must display its appropriateshapes by day and lights by night. Failure to display such signals may get theprivileged vessel in trouble; however, it will not let you off the hook if youtangle with them.

Fog Situation

RULE19

All of the rules above assume that you see the other boat. In or near an area ofrestricted visibility, you must slow to a safe speed for the visibility, andsound fog signals. If you detect another boat by radar or by sound, you mustevaluate the risk of collision. If risk does exist (decreasing range at constantbearing), you must take avoiding action, BUT DO NOT:

* turn to port for a boat forward (unless you are overtaking it);

* turn toward a boat abeam or aft your beam.

Unless you are absolutely certain that there is no risk of collision when youhear the fog signal of a boat forward, you must reduce your speed to baresteerageway or, if necessary, stop. Important: When (and if) your vessels becomevisible to each other, you both go back to the in-sight rules.

Sounds—Blow Your Own Horn

RULES32–37

The Rules state that when a maneuvering action is required to avoid collision,the vessels involved must use sound signals to communicate their intentions.Since adoption of the Vessel Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Act, the morecommon practice under Inland Rules is to reach understanding on VHF radio CH13.The roots of the practice can still be heard, however, when captains proposepassing on "one whistle" (port side–to–port side) or "two whistles"(starboard side–to–starboard side). The table below shows the soundsignals required under both International and Inland Rules.

Vessels are also required to make sound signals when in or near areas ofrestricted visibility. These signals, identical for both International andInland Rules, are shown below.

Lights—What Can They Tell You?

RULES21–22

Definitions

The Rules specify the colors and arcs of visibility of navigation lights to becarried by each type of vessel, as described below:

Masthead light (also known as steaming light): white light on centerline showingforward from 22.5° abaft the beam on either side (225° arc).

Sidelights: green on starboard and red on port, each visible from dead ahead to22.5° abaft the beam. On vessels less than twenty meters, the sidelights may becombined in one unit on the centerline.

Sternlight: white light at stern showing aft from 22.5° abaft the beam on eitherside (135° arc).

Towing light: the same as a sternlight, except for being yellow.

All-around light: a light of any color that shows 360° around.

Flashing light: a light flashing at a minimum of 120 times per minute.

Special flashing light (Inland): a yellow light flashing at fifty-seventy timesper minute over an arc of 180–225°.

Range of Visibility

The Rules also specify minimum ranges of visibility under clear conditions fornavigation lights. The table at right shows these ranges according to the sizeof the boat. Note that, in addition to the information specified in this table,inconspicuous, partly submerged vessels or objects being towed should carry awhite all-around light, visible at a distance of three miles.

Color Presentation

Color illustrations of required navigation-light groupings for various vesselsfollow on pages 33–40.

VHF Radio

Most recreational boaters use the VHF radio to:

* chitchat with their boating friends

* arrange for fuel and docking

* listen to marine weather forecasts

* call for help when they break down

Strangely, few use it for its primary intended purpose—communication withother vessels regarding safe navigation. The Vessel Bridge-to-BridgeRadiotelephone Act requires certain vessels to monitor CH13 when underway withinthe three mile limit. These are:

* power-driven vessels over twenty meters

* inspected passenger vessels over 100 tons

* towing vessels over twenty-six feet

* dredges

In addition, the U.S. Coast Guard has established Security Broadcast Systems inmost large coastal ports. In these systems, vessels required to monitor CH13 arealso requested to report their movements fifteen minutes prior to gettingunderway, upon getting underway, and at certain check points in entering andleaving the port.

CH13 is thus your best source of information regarding the movements of largevessels in Inland waters. When you have a question regarding the intentions ofanother vessel—whether in a head-on, crossing, or overtakingsituation—call the vessel first on CH13. If you get no response on CH13,try CH16.

A few ports, as well as traffic separation schemes and vessel traffic services,operate on channels other than CH13—usually CH11, CH12, or CH14. Consultthe U.S. Coast Pilot, or call the nearest Coast Guard station on CH16 to obtainthe channel for a specific area.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from The One-Minute Guide to the Nautical Rules of the Road by Charlie Wing. Copyright © 2007 by International Marine. Excerpted by permission of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc..
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

Edition details

• Publisher: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press
• Publication date: 2006
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0071479236
• ISBN 13: 9780071479233
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 160