- \n
- Navigation<\/li>\n
- Right-of-way rules<\/li>\n
- Look-out rules<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Boater\u00a0Responsibilities<\/h2>\n
As a Canadian boater, \u2018you must use all available means, appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions, to make a full appraisal of navigation situations and determine if the risk of collision exists.\u2019 This means that\u00a0you must know, understand and abide by Canada\u2019s navigation rules at all times.\u00a0You must also use good judgment and remain alert in case the operators of other boats are not abiding by the navigation rules.\u00a0Don\u2019t presume the actions of others and always proceed with caution.<\/p>\n
Determining Right-of-Way<\/h2>\n
Before determining your right-of-way, it will be helpful to familiarize yourself with important\u00a0right-of-way terminology:<\/p>\n
Stand-on craft:<\/strong> Boats\u00a0with the right-of-way\u00a0are called\u00a0\u2018stand-on craft\u2019. Stand-on craft are able to maintain speed and\u00a0direction when approaching other vessels.<\/p>\n
Give-way craft:<\/strong> Boats that\u00a0do not have the right-of-way\u00a0are called\u00a0\u2018give-way craft\u2019. Give-way craft must take early action to steer clear of stand-on craft, altering speed and direction to avoid a collision.<\/p>\n
Several factors determine which craft has the right-of-way:<\/p>\n
- \n
- The\u00a0type of craft you\u2019re operating<\/li>\n
- The\u00a0type of craft you\u2019re approaching<\/li>\n
- The\u00a0position and direction from which other craft are approaching<\/li>\n
- The\u00a0type of waterway\u00a0you\u2019re on<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Type of Boat<\/h2>\n
The type of watercraft determines which operator has the right-of-way:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Emergency craft\u00a0always have the right-of-way and all pleasure craft operators should steer clear and yield to emergency craft<\/li>\n
- Never pass between a tug and its tow\u00a0(it may be using a submerged towline)<\/li>\n
- Keep clear of docked ferries, ferries in transit and cable ferries which operate with a submerged tow cable from the bow and stern (listen for large ship horns blasting one prolonged blast, which indicates departing a dock)<\/li>\n
- Both powerboats and sailboats must take early and substantial action to keep clear of\u00a0vessels engaged in fishing activities\u00a0(those vessels operating with fishing nets and trawls)<\/li>\n
- Power-driven vessels must keep out of the way of any vessel that is\u00a0not under command<\/li>\n
- Non-powered craft\u00a0including sailboats, canoes, paddleboats, sailboards and racing shells generally have the right-of-way over power-driven pleasure craft<\/li>\n
- All motorized boats and sailboats under 20 m in length must steer clear of\u00a0larger, less maneuverable vessels<\/li>\n
- Sport fishing boats\u00a0and waterski boats are considered maneuverable craft and operators of these must follow the same rules as all pleasure boats<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"Right-of-way]()
<\/a><\/p>\nApproaching Non-Powered\u00a0Boats<\/h2>\n
When approaching a non-powered craft, such as a sailboat or canoe, you are the\u00a0give-way craft\u00a0and do not have the right-of-way. You must take early and substantial action to keep clear of non-powered craft.\u00a0You should alter your speed and course, and approach non-powered craft with caution.<\/p>\n
Approaching Power-Driven\u00a0Boats<\/h2>\n
Position & Direction<\/h3>\n
Power-driven vessels approaching each other establish right-of-way by determining each boat\u2019s position relative to the other. To properly understand right-of-way, you must be able to recognize the \u2018sectors\u2019 of navigation, including the port sector, starboard sector and stern sector. You should reference these sectors relative to other boat traffic in order to determine who has the right-of-way<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Operating Rules – Keeping it Simple<\/h3>\n
Port:\u00a0If a power-driven boat approaches your boat from the port sector, maintain your course and speed with caution.\u00a0You are the stand-on craft.
\nStarboard:\u00a0If any vessel approaches your boat from the starboard sector, you must keep out of its way.\u00a0You are the give-way craft.
\nStern:\u00a0If any vessel approaches your boat from the stern (from behind your boat) you should maintain your speed and course with caution.\u00a0You are the stand-on craft.<\/p>\n
![\"Right-of-way](\"https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/knowledge-base\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/02\/Navigation-Review2-1024x550.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Sectors](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/02\/Approaching1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"The](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/02\/Danger-Zone1.jpg\")
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