Now let’s look at rules.
Rules are there for everyone’s safety.
We’ll show you the basic rules you need to be aware of, but you need to be aware that
theses rules are only a small part of a lengthy international publication called International
Regulations for Prevention of Collisions at Sea, and includes rules for heavy commercial
shipping.
As a dinghy sailor you need to only be aware of the most basic rules but if you plan to
race, further rules will also apply which are beyond the scope of this video.
When afloat the priority of all vessels is to avoid a collision and any incident, so
you must keep a good look out at all times whilst sailing and be prepared to take avoiding
action in good time.
Don’t forget to look under the boom as well as behind your back as boats can come at you
from any angle.
Be aware that the wind may restrict your ability to hear the sounds of approaching vessels,
and sailing boats in particular can be hard to hear.
In most situations sail has priority over power boats, and they should keep out of your
way, but you must keep out of the way of large commercial shipping or fishing vessels.
They are often constrained by their draught or their manoeuvrability.
You must also keep out of the way of any man powered vessels like rowing boats.
Any point of sailing where the wind is on the left hand side of the boat is called port
tack, and is the give way tack and is marked in red.
Any point of sailing where the wind on the right hand side of the boat is called starboard
tack, which is the stand on tack marked in green.
You must familiarize yourself with what point of sailing and what tack you are on at all
times, as this has a direct bearing on whether you are the give way vessel or not.
If you are the boat on starboard, you can alert your position to oncoming traffic by
shouting loudly STARBOARD.
But you must be prepared to take avoiding action if the boat on port does not respond.