Winnipesaukee Forum - View Single Post - Boating -- Who has right of way?

Misty Blue · 07-20-2004, 10:51 AM

Dear hoytglp:

The correct term is not who has the "right of way". It is important to know that the two terms for vessels maneuvering within sight of each other are "STAND ON VESSEL" and GIVE WAY VESSEL". Both vessels have spacific obligations for a safe passage.

The "give way vessel" MUST allow safe passage to the "stand on vessel".

The "stand on vessel" does not have the right of way but is REQUIRED to maintain it's course and speed until the "give way" vessel is "free and clear" according to the collision regulations.

There are three maneuvering situations that you can find yourself in; MEETING, CROSSING AND OVERTAKING.

When MEETING, that is you are heading for each other, bow on. You can see both his red (port) and green (starbord) Navigation lights. Both vessels are "give way". The proper maneuver is to sound one short (one second) blast on your horn and turn to starboard and pass port side to port side if this maneuver is safe to do. (ie. nipple rock is not on his starbord side!)

When CROSSING, that is an other vessel coming from your port or starboard side the vessel seeing the other vessel from his starboard side is the "give way" vessel. Picture this: Your starboard running light is green. Your Port running light is red. If you are cruising along and a vessel is heading twards you from your right side (starboard) he sees your GREEN light, you see his RED light. YOU are the Give way vessel. Think about it. It makes sence. Just like traffic lights. Think about the running light colors and you will be OK.

Now you are the "give way" vessel. You are required to stay clear of the "stand on" vessel. This can be done by slowing down and letting him pass or by sounding one short (one second) blast from your horn and turning (usually to starboard) and passing behind him.

The other vessel is the "stand on vessel" and is REQUIRED to maintain course and speed. This is not an option, it is a rule unless doing so will cause a collision. (ie: the other boater has not taken his Coast Guard Auxiliary boating course and dosen't know to change course to avoid you).

The third situation is OVERTAKING. When overtaking another vessel the vessel overtaking is ALWAYS the "give way" vessel. This includes sailboats, canoes, etc. if they are passing you!

The "give way" vessel should sound one short (one second) blast on his horn, turn to starboard and pass you until he is "free and clear" of you. (ie: he can't pass you on your starboard side, take a left and become the "stand on" vessel.

You as the vessel being overtaken are the "stand on" vessel and are REQUIED to maintain course and speed until the maneuver is completed. This is required by international collision regulations. Now let me throw you a curve ball!

New Hampshire boating law does not state "maintain course and speed" for the overtaken vessel. This is not an exact quote but is says the overtaken vessel must maintain course and a (prudent, or safe or somthing like that) speed. If you are being passed by a vessel within 150 feet of you it can be argued that you (being within 150 of him) should go to head way speed. I would maintain course and speed and leave it up to a judge if there is a problem.

So there you go hoytglp, MEETING, CROSSING and OVERTAKING. Remember the bow lights on your boat. If they can see your green you are "give way" and REQUIRED to stay clear. If they can see your red you are the "stand on" vessel and REQUIRED to maintain course and speed.

If you are interested in a free , nationally approved, boating course for your condo outfit, association, etc. let me know and we can make some plans and have some fun!

Misty Blue

07-20-2004, 10:51 AM	#11
Misty Blue Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 658 Thanks: 121 Thanked 283 Times in 98 Posts	Right of way Dear hoytglp: The correct term is not who has the "right of way". It is important to know that the two terms for vessels maneuvering within sight of each other are "STAND ON VESSEL" and GIVE WAY VESSEL". Both vessels have spacific obligations for a safe passage. The "give way vessel" MUST allow safe passage to the "stand on vessel". The "stand on vessel" does not have the right of way but is REQUIRED to maintain it's course and speed until the "give way" vessel is "free and clear" according to the collision regulations. There are three maneuvering situations that you can find yourself in; MEETING, CROSSING AND OVERTAKING. When MEETING, that is you are heading for each other, bow on. You can see both his red (port) and green (starbord) Navigation lights. Both vessels are "give way". The proper maneuver is to sound one short (one second) blast on your horn and turn to starboard and pass port side to port side if this maneuver is safe to do. (ie. nipple rock is not on his starbord side!) When CROSSING, that is an other vessel coming from your port or starboard side the vessel seeing the other vessel from his starboard side is the "give way" vessel. Picture this: Your starboard running light is green. Your Port running light is red. If you are cruising along and a vessel is heading twards you from your right side (starboard) he sees your GREEN light, you see his RED light. YOU are the Give way vessel. Think about it. It makes sence. Just like traffic lights. Think about the running light colors and you will be OK. Now you are the "give way" vessel. You are required to stay clear of the "stand on" vessel. This can be done by slowing down and letting him pass or by sounding one short (one second) blast from your horn and turning (usually to starboard) and passing behind him. The other vessel is the "stand on vessel" and is REQUIRED to maintain course and speed. This is not an option, it is a rule unless doing so will cause a collision. (ie: the other boater has not taken his Coast Guard Auxiliary boating course and dosen't know to change course to avoid you). The third situation is OVERTAKING. When overtaking another vessel the vessel overtaking is ALWAYS the "give way" vessel. This includes sailboats, canoes, etc. if they are passing you! The "give way" vessel should sound one short (one second) blast on his horn, turn to starboard and pass you until he is "free and clear" of you. (ie: he can't pass you on your starboard side, take a left and become the "stand on" vessel. You as the vessel being overtaken are the "stand on" vessel and are REQUIED to maintain course and speed until the maneuver is completed. This is required by international collision regulations. Now let me throw you a curve ball! New Hampshire boating law does not state "maintain course and speed" for the overtaken vessel. This is not an exact quote but is says the overtaken vessel must maintain course and a (prudent, or safe or somthing like that) speed. If you are being passed by a vessel within 150 feet of you it can be argued that you (being within 150 of him) should go to head way speed. I would maintain course and speed and leave it up to a judge if there is a problem. So there you go hoytglp, MEETING, CROSSING and OVERTAKING. Remember the bow lights on your boat. If they can see your green you are "give way" and REQUIRED to stay clear. If they can see your red you are the "stand on" vessel and REQUIRED to maintain course and speed. If you are interested in a free , nationally approved, boating course for your condo outfit, association, etc. let me know and we can make some plans and have some fun! Misty Blue