Winnipesaukee Forum - View Single Post - Give-way by steering to starboard early folks

Misty Blue · 07-12-2011, 08:57 AM

Turning to Starboard when meeting, crossing or passing is not a firm law but a good protocol and idea.

The idea is this. Say we are meeting, that is you and I are heading head on.

The proper method is for both boats to give one short blast on the horn and turn to starboard. As we pass eachother my view of the "danger zone" that is from dead ahead to 112 deg. to starboard is not blocked by your boat and vice versa. So you and I can see any traffic that would make us the give way vessel.

That is not the reason that most small boat helms are on the starboard side, but it helps.

Misty Blue

07-12-2011, 08:57 AM	#7
Misty Blue Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 658 Thanks: 121 Thanked 283 Times in 98 Posts	Why turn to Starboard? Turning to Starboard when meeting, crossing or passing is not a firm law but a good protocol and idea. The idea is this. Say we are meeting, that is you and I are heading head on. The proper method is for both boats to give one short blast on the horn and turn to starboard. As we pass eachother my view of the "danger zone" that is from dead ahead to 112 deg. to starboard is not blocked by your boat and vice versa. So you and I can see any traffic that would make us the give way vessel. That is not the reason that most small boat helms are on the starboard side, but it helps. Misty Blue