Rules of the Road

1
Rules of the Road
Rudyard Lake Sailing Club
2
Specific Angles
GREEN 112 degrees
Red 112 degrees
GIVE WAY TO VESSELS IN THIS ZONE
RIGHT OF WAY OVER VESSELS IN THIS ZONE
WHITE 135 degrees
VESSELS IN THIS ZONE ARE OVERTAKING AND MUST KEEP
CLEAR
3
Extent of Required Knowledge

• Rule 5
• Rule 7
• Rule 8
• Rule 9
• Rules 12 19

Level 2 National Powerboat Certificate
- Lookout - Risk of collision - Action to avoid a
collision - Narrow Channels - Sailing Vessels,
overtaking, etc

4
Rule 5 Keeping a Lookout

• It is the skipper's responsibility to ensure a
  proper look-out is maintained at all times
• To keep a lookout by all available means
  appropriate in the circumstances.
• In bad weather most people will not keep an
  adequate look-out in to heavy spray or rain be
  aware.
• There should also be enough crew to maintain a
  proper look-out at all times. An impossible feat
  for the long distance single hander!
• In reduced visibility place a crew member in the
  bow.

5
Rule 7 Avoiding a collision

• Decide if there is a risk of collision.
• Assume that there is a risk until it is proven
  otherwise.
• Take a bearing on the other vessel as soon as it
  is sighted, then repeat this at 2-3 minute
  intervals.
• In confined waters a quick check is to look at
  the movement of the background in relation to the
  other vessel
• Background moving forward you pass in front
• Background moving backwards you pass behind
• Background not moving Collision imminent

6
Rule 8 Action to avoid a collision

• Part of avoiding a collision, is to communicate
  your intentions to the other vessel.
• This means
• Acting in plenty of time
• Make it obvious to the other vessel

7
Rule 9 Narrow Channels

• When afloat we drive on the right when in a
  narrow channel. However, it may not be obvious
  what is meant by a narrow channel.
• In any case this rule states that a sailing
  vessel and a vessel of less than 20m shall not
  impede a vessel which can only use the channel.
• This is one of several situations where the
  general rule of power giving way to sail does not
  apply.
• It is also common sense not to anchor in a narrow
  channel if this would cause a hazard to other
  traffic.

8
Rule 12 Sailing Vessels

• Sailing boats priority is based on the tack that
  the vessels are on. They are always either on
  port tack or starboard tack.
• The judgement of which tack a vessel is on is
  based on the side of the boat that the largest
  fore and aft sail is carried. We assume that the
  wind is blowing from the opposite side of the
  vessel to the largest sail.
• Port gives way to starboard.
• Windward vessel gives way to leeward vessel.

9
Rule 13 Overtaking

• Overtaking vessels always give way. Of course, if
  you are in doubt you should assume that you are
  the overtaking vessel and keep well clear until
  you are past the other vessel.
• If you are the overtaking vessel you must keep
  clear until you are well past, you can not just
  manoeuvre to a place where you become the stand
  on vessel and expect the other craft to avoid
  you.
• This Rule also means that a vessel on starboard
  tack, which is overtaking a vessel on port tack,
  is the give way vessel. For the same reason a
  sailing vessel overtaking a power-driven vessel,
  is also the give way vessel.

10
Rule 14 Head On Situation

• Vessels drive on the right side of channels, so
  it makes sense that if two vessels meet head on
  they should both turn to starboard.
• If you do not, you will end up in an ambiguous
  situation with the other vessel.
• One thing you will notice about applying these
  Rules is that if you are positive about your
  intentions, everyone else follows you.
• Remember that the only way you can communicate
  your intentions is to make positive alterations
  in ample time.

11
Rule 15 Crossing Situations

• As power-driven vessels drive on the right, and
  turn to the right, they also give way to the
  right when they meet in a crossing situation.
• At night, if you see a red light you must give
  way, a green light means you are the stand on
  vessel.
• There is a saying which some people find useful
  If to starboard, should red appear, it's your
  duty to keep clear!
• This rule only applies to power-driven vessels,
  not sailing vessels (see Rule 12.)

12
Rule 16 Action by Give Way Vessel

• This Rule reinforces Rule 8 and reminds us to
  avoid a close quarters situation in plenty of
  time.
• It is worth remembering that if you are the give
  way vessel, the only way the stand on vessel
  knows that you intend to avoid them is to perform
  a manoeuvre that is obvious to them. Think of
  your actions as your means of communicating with
  the other vessel!

13
Rule 17 Action by Stand on Vessel

• To enable other vessels to determine if a risk of
  collision exists it is vital that the stand on
  vessel maintain a steady course and speed.
• Avoid a collision if we are the stand on vessel
  and we think that the other vessel has not taken
  sufficient action to avoid us.
• Take action to avoid a collision if the other
  vessel can not avoid us.
• The rules are written so that you can not hide
  behind them, and blame the other vessel, if there
  is a collision the blame falls on both vessels.

14
Rule 18 Responsibility Between Vessels

• This Rule sets the priorities for special classes
  of vessels. Obviously, those with the most
  manoeuvrability give way to those with less.
• Responsibilities between vessels.
• Except where rules 9, 10, and 13 otherwise
  require
• (a) a power-driven vessel underway shall keep out
  of the way of
• a vessel not under command.
• a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre.
• a vessel engaged in fishing.
• a sailing vessel.
• (b) A sailing vessel underway shall keep out of
  the way of
• a vessel not under command.
• a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre.
• a vessel engaged in fishing.
• (c) A vessel engaged in fishing when underway
  shall, so far as possible, keep out of the way
  of
• a vessel not under command.
• a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre.

15
Rule 19 Conduct of Vessels in Restricted
Visibility

• Every vessel shall proceed at a safe speed
  adapted to the prevailing circumstances and
  conditions of restricted visibility. A
  power-driven vessel shall have her engines ready
  for immediate manoeuvre.
• Every vessel shall have due regard to the
  prevailing circumstances and conditions of
  restricted visibility.
• Except where it has been determined that a risk
  of collision does not exist, every vessel which
  hears apparently forwards of her beam the fog
  signal of another vessel, or which cannot avoid a
  close-quarters situation with another vessel
  forwards of her beam, shall reduce her speed to
  the minimum at which she can be kept on her
  course. She shall if necessary take all her way
  off and in any event navigate with extreme
  caution until danger of collision is over.

16

• Answer the following to test your understanding

17
Who gives way?
Give Way Vessel
A
B
112 Degrees
VESSEL A GIVES WAY TO VESSELS IN THIS ZONE
Stand on Vessel
A gives way to B
18
Who gives way?
A
B
BOTH TURN TO STARBOARD AND PASS PORT TO PORT
19
Who gives way?
A
112 degrees
B
B gives way to A
Deemed overtaking vessel
20
Who gives way?
Port Tack Vessel!
A
B
Stand on Vessel!
Sailing Boat (vessel A) has right of way. Power
gives way to sail
21
Where does power NOT have right of way?

• When meeting a sailing vessel
• Where other vessels are restricted in their
  ability to manoeuvre
• Where other vessels are towing
• Where other vessels are constrained by their
  draught
• Where it is deemed unsafe to proceed ie have they
  seen me? Always avoid a collision.

22
What does this flag mean?

• Diver down A flag
• Reduce speed to a crawl, avoid the area if
  possible. Attain visual contact with the divers
  coxwain and proceed slowly.

23
What is the Golden Rule?

• Always avoid a collision

24
(No Transcript)