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The following information, representative of boating
etiquette that seems not to be widely followed,
is taken from Sailing Fundamentals by Gary Jobson,
former head sailing coach at the U.S. Naval Academy
who has conducted sailing clinics across the country.
The book is published by Simon & Schuster, New York
- Do
not
throw garbage overboard.
- Arranging
your mooring before landing is more easily done
by a phone call before setting sail than by hailing
people on shore.
- Do
not
tie up to government buoys or navigational aids.
This is the law.
- Anchor
in areas that are clear of traffic and away from
narrow channels. Many harbors have specific anchorage
areas marked by special buoys. Stay clear of other
anchored boats.
- Follow
the right-of-way rules and stay clear to avoid
confusion. Stay clear of boats with fishing lines
or boats that are sailing in races.
- Ask
permission from the owner or skipper before boarding
another boat.
- Always
offer assistance to a boat in distress.
A
sailboat is only defined as a sailboat under the
Rules of the Road when propelled by the wind alone.
If the engine is running and in gear, the vessel
is considered a powerboat and must follow the powerboat
rules. The three basic right-of-way situations for
powerboats are:
- Two
powerboats approaching each other should pass
port side to port side (give way to the right),
just like two cars on the highway.
- When
two powerboats are crossing, the vessel that has
the other vessel to its starboard side (righthand
side of the boat) is to keep clear. When getting
out of the way, the helmsman of the vessel giving
way must not attempt to cross ahead of the other
vessel by speeding up. The best action is to alter
course and pass astern or to slow down and wait
for the other vessel to pass.
- When
one boat is overtaking another, the overtaking
vessel shall keep out of the way of the vessel
being overtaken. Thus, for example, a sailboat
operating under sail alone is required to keep
out of the way of any vessel it is overtaking.
Whistle
(horn) signals are also required in meeting, crossing,
and overtaking situations between powerboats in
sight of one another. Although the precise meaning
of these horn signals differs depending upon whether
Inland or International Navigation Rules apply,
the rules are generally similar. Briefly, for Inland
Rules:
One
short (1 second) blast should be sounded to
indicate that you intend to pass port-to-port.
Two
short blasts should be sounded to indicate
that you intend to pass starboard-to-starboard.
Three
short blasts should be sounded to indicate
that you are operating in reverse.
For
complete rules of the road under power, and other
essential information, obtain a copy of Sailing
Fundamentals from a book store, marine book store
or from Blue Water Books by calling 1 (800) 942-2583.
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