Section 4 ..................Boating Rules - Supra SR Owner's Manual

Basic Boating Rules
You should be aware of these rules and follow them whenever
you encounter another vessel on the water.
The rules presented in this manual are condensed and have
been provided as a convenience only. Consult your local U.S.
Coast Guard Auxiliary (USCGA) or Department of Motor Vehicles
(DMV) for a complete set of rules governing the waters in which
you will be using your boat. If you plan to travel—even for a
short trip—you would be well served to contact the regional
USCGA or DMV in the area where you will be boating.
Review and understand all local and state laws.
Any time two vessels on the water meet one another, one vessel
has the right-of-way. It is called the stand-on vessel. The vessel
which does NOT have the right-of-way is called the give-way
or burdened vessel.
These rules determine which vessel has the right-of-way, and
accordingly, what each vessel should do.
The vessel with the right-of-way has the duty to continue its
course and speed, except to avoid an immediate collision. When
you maintain your direction and speed, the other vessel will be
able to determine how best to avoid you.
The vessel which does not have the right-of-way has the duty
to take positive and timely action to stay out of the way of the
stand-on vessel. Normally, the give-way vessel should not cross
in front of the stand-on vessel. Slow down or change directions
briefly and pass behind the other vessel. You should always
move in such a way that the stand-on operator can see what
you are doing.
This rule is called Rule 2 in the International Rules and says, "In
obeying and construing these rules due regard shall be had
to all dangers of navigation and collision, and to any special
circumstances, which may render a departure from the above
rules necessary in order to avoid immediate danger. "
© 2016 Skier's Choice, Inc. © 2016 Skier's Choice, Inc.
Encountering Other Vessels
There are three main situations in which you may encounter
other vessels and you must observe the Steering Rules in order
to avoid a collision. These are:
• Meeting (you are approaching another vessel head-on)
• Crossing (you are traveling across the other vessel's path)
• Overtaking (you are passing or being passed by another
vessel)
Using the following illustration in which you are the boat in
the center, you should give right-of-way to all vessels shown
in the white area. In this instance, you are the give-way vessel.
All vessels in the shaded area must yield to you as you are the
stand-on vessel. Both you and the meeting vessel must alter
course to avoid each other.
If you are meeting another power vessel head-on, and you
are close enough to run the risk of collision, neither of you has
the right-of-way. Both of you should alter course to avoid an
accident. You should keep the other vessel on your port (left)
side. This rule doesn't apply if both of you can clear each other
by continuing your set course and speed.
Section 4
Boating Rules
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