Yamaha XF375 Owner's Manual page 9

Meeting
If you are meeting another power vessel head-on, and 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 will clear one an-
other if you continue on your set course and speed.
Crossing
When two power driven vessels are crossing each other's
path close enough to run the risk of collision, the vessel
which has the other on the starboard (right) side must keep
out of the way of the other. If the other vessel is on your right,
you must keep out of its way; you are the Give-Way vessel.
If the other vessel is on your port (left) side, remember that
you should maintain course and direction, provided the oth-
er vessel gives you the right-of-way as it should.
Overtaking
If you are passing another vessel, you are the "Give-Way"
vessel. This means that the other vessel is expected to main-
tain its course and speed. You must stay out of its way until
you are clear of it. Likewise, if another vessel is passing you,
you should maintain your speed and direction so that the
other vessel can steer itself around you.
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Other special situations
There are three other rules you should be aware of when
driving your boat around other vessels.
Safety information
Narrow channels and bends
When navigating in narrow channels, you should keep to the
right when it is safe and practical to do so. If the operator of
a power-driven vessel is preparing to go around a bend that
may obstruct the view of other water vessels, the operator
should sound a prolonged blast on the whistle (4 to 6 sec-
onds). If another vessel is around the bend, it too should
sound the whistle. Even if no reply is heard, however, the
vessel should still proceed around the bend with caution. If
you navigate such waters with your boat, you will need to
carry a portable air horn, available from local marine supply
stores.
Fishing vessel right-of-way
All vessels that are fishing with nets, lines or trawls are con-
sidered to be "fishing vessels" under the International Rules.
Vessels with trolling lines are not considered fishing vessels.
Fishing vessels have the right-of-way regardless of position.
Fishing vessels cannot, however, impede the passage of
other vessels in narrow channels.
Sailing vessel right-of-way
Sailing vessels should normally be given the right-of-way.
The exceptions to this are:
1. When the sailing vessel is overtaking the power-driven
vessel, the power-driven vessel has the right-of-way.
2. Sailing vessels should keep clear of any fishing vessel.
3. In a narrow channel, a sailing vessel should not hamper
the safe passage of a power-driven vessel that can nav-
igate only in such a channel.
Reading buoys and other markers
The waters of the United States are marked for safe naviga-
tion by the lateral system of buoyage. Simply put, buoys and
markers have an arrangement of shapes, colors, numbers
and lights to show which side of the buoy a boater should
pass on when navigating in a particular direction. The mark-
ings on these buoys are oriented from the perspective of be-
ing entered from seaward (the boater is going towards the
port). This means that red buoys are passed on the star-
board (right) side when proceeding from open water into
port, and black buoys are to port (left) side. When navigating
out of port, your position with respect to the buoys should be
reversed; red buoys should be to port and black buoys to
starboard.
Many bodies of water used by boaters are entirely within the
boundaries of a particular state. The Uniform State Water-
way Marking System has been devised for these waters.
This system uses buoys and signs with distinctive shapes
and colors to show regulatory or advisory information. These
markers are white with black letters and orange boarders.
They signify speed zones, restricted areas, danger areas,
and general information.
Remember, markings may vary by geographic location. Al-
ways consult local boating authorities before driving your
boat in unfamiliar waters.
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