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How-to Follow Maritime Navigation Rules

Be sure to follow these maritime navigation rules to ensure your own safety and the safety of other boaters.

1. Proper Lookout: Someone must keep a lookout at all times by sight and hearing.

2. Safe Speed: All vessels should proceed at a safe speed. A safe speed is determined by the state of visibility, traffic density, maneuverability of the vessel, whether it is night, the state of the wind/sea/current, and the depth of the water.

3. Head-on or Meeting Situation: When two boats approach each other bow to bow, each shall alter their course to starboard (right) so that they will pass port (left) to port.

4. Overtaking or Passing Situation: When one boat wants to pass the other, the boat being passed should maintain course and speed and the passing boat should signal whether it is passing to the port or starboard.

5. Crossing Situation: When two boats are getting ready to cross one another’s paths (coming at right angles), the vessel which has the other on her starboard side shall keep out of the way and avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel.