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what are the navigation rules the nav
rules much like the rules of the road
for public roadways establish a
consistent way for vessels to interact
with each other on the waterways what is
the u.s. aids to navigation system or
eight ons eight ons is a system
maintained by the US Coast Guard
consisting of visual audible and
electronic signals designed to assist
the prudent Mariner in the process of
navigation it does not identify every
shoal or obstruction to navigation that
exists in the navigable waters of the
United States but it does provide
reasonable marking of marine features as
resources permit what vessels are
required to comply with the nav rules
according to rule one application all
vessels are required to follow the
navigation rules the word vessel is
defined to include every description of
watercraft including non displacement
craft wing in ground craft and sea
planes used or capable of being used as
a means of transportation on water
courts have interpreted transportation
to include not only passengers but also
goods and services the Navajos address
vessels not who or what is controlling
them
is there an overriding nav rule that
takes precedence over others no but
there is a hierarchy for various
situations and all rules are focused on
keeping vessels from colliding with each
other so each boater needs to know that
he or she has a responsibility rule to
responsibility States in construing and
complying with these rules do regard
shall be had to all dangers of
navigation and collision and to any
special circumstances including the
limitations of the vessels involved
which may make a departure from these
rules necessary to avoid immediate
danger
nothing in these rules shall exonerate
any vessel or the owner master or crew
thereof from the consequences of any
neglect to comply with these rules or of
the neglect of any precaution which may
be required by the ordinary practice of
seamen or by the special circumstances
of the case neglect among other things
could be not maintaining a proper
lookout use of improper speed not taking
the appropriate actions to determine and
avoid collision
or ignoring a boat operators
responsibilities under the rules who has
the right-of-way on the water no one has
the right-of-way
unless rule nine apply good seamanship
suggest that operators should know the
limitations of the vessels involved to
avoid immediate danger power-driven
vessels which are defined as any vessel
propelled by machinery regardless of
whether the machinery is being used are
to keep out of the way and depending on
circumstances either give way
meaning move aside or slow down or stand
on meaning not change course with
respect to vessels not under command or
restricted in their ability to maneuver
sailing vessels or vessels engaged in
fishing similarly vessels should avoid
impeding the safe passage of a vessel
constrained by her draft or navigating a
narrow channel or traffic separation
scheme where do kayaks canoes and pedal
boards fit into the nav rules they must
also follow the nav rules as they are
also vessels kayaks canoes paddle boards
and others such human propelled
watercraft are considered to be vessels
under oars what would be required by the
ordinary practice of seamen or by the
special circumstances of the case
determines whether a vessel under oars
is the give-way vessel meaning it must
slow down or move aside when approaching
another watercraft or the stand-down
vessel meaning it must maintain its
course and the notion that they are less
able than most other vessels what is the
safe speed or passing distance for
vessels when crossing meaning or
overtaking another vessel as the boat
operator you must keep your vessel well
clear of the other vessel similarly the
distance required for a vessel to take
action to avoid collision will vary
however it should enable doing so at a
safe speed to avoid the collision any
alteration of course or speed shall be
large enough to be readily apparent to
another vessel such alterations shall be
taken early enough and be stopped within
an appropriate distance to allow
sufficient sea room for the safe passage
of the other vessel at a safe speed the
alternation will be completed so that
the other vessel is able to take proper
and effective action to avoid a
collision
when do I need a lookout all vessels are
responsible for maintaining a proper
lookout at all times this includes
one-man crews and recreational books the
term lookout implies watching and
listening to be aware of what is
happening around the vessel the emphasis
is on performing the action not on the
person what are the regulations
concerning wake effects wake damage and
responsibility recreational vessels are
required to operate in a prudent manner
that does not endanger life limb or
property there may also be state or
local laws which specifically addressed
wait for the waters in question
the nav rules do not exonerate any
vessel from the consequences of neglect
which among other things could be unsafe
speeds improper lookout or ignoring
prescribed responsibilities under the
nav rules what are the requirements of
lights for recreational vessels underway
between sunset and sunrise power driven
vessels of less than 12 meters or 39.4
feet in length and sailboats must at a
minimum exhibit a white light in the
stern of the boat and side lights
comprised of a green light on the right
hand or starboard side of the vessel and
a red light on the left hand or port
side of the vessel power driven vessels
are required to exhibit a white masthead
light in addition to the stern and
silent light
human propelled watercraft must display
or have immediately accessible and
all-around white light capable of being
used in ample time to warn others of
danger and not negatively impact the
navigation of other vessels can I use
decorative lights strobes or other high
intensity or specialty lights to be more
visible at night standard lights are
displayed aboard all vessels to help
others to identify them and to better
understand their maneuvering
characteristics or possibly distress the
use of any lights other than the lights
prescribed by the rules is discouraged
because the use of decorative lights
strobes or other high intensity or
specialty lighting could confuse rather
than make you more visible obfuscate
your navigation lights hinder a proper
lookout
and be mistaken for other lights used as
aids to navigation by law enforcement or
Public Safety vessels am i required to
carry a copy of the Navajos the operator
of each self-propelled vessel 12 meters
or 39.4 feet or more in length shall
carry onboard and maintain for ready
reference a copy of the rolls where can
I get a copy of the may have rules a
free electronic copy can be obtained by
visiting the US Department of Homeland
Security Coast Guard navigation center
website at nav sin USCG gov and clicking
on the nav will stab at the top of the
homepage a printed version can be
obtained from the US government
bookstore at bookstore GPO gov
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