Crossing and Operating In Narrow Channels

When a boat, such as your personal watercraft, encounters another powerboat on an intercepting course, the vessel on the right (to starboard) is the stand-on vessel. That vessel must maintain its course and speed. The other boat (give-way vessel) must keep clear by turning to starboard (right) and cross behind the stand-on vessel. If necessary, the give-way vessel must slow, stop, or reverse to stay clear of the stand-on vessel. If it becomes apparent that the give-way vessel is not taking collision avoidance action in a timely manner, the stand-on vessel must do whatever is necessary to avoid a collision.

If you are on the give-way boat, once you've crossed, stay well clear of the other boat. Even with the quick maneuverability of your personal watercraft, you must know and follow these rules of crossing.

Responsibility Between Vessels

If operating a PWC or other power-driven boat, you must give-way to:

1. Any boat, such as an anchored or a disabled boat, or is not under command

2. Any boat restricted in its ability to maneuver, such as a boat laying cable or picking up navigation markers, or a boat towing or constrained by its draft, like a large ship in a channel

3. A commercial fishing boat, engaged in fishing

4. A sailboat under sail, unless it is overtaking or the give-way vessel.

If operating a boat under sail, you must give-way to:

1. Any boat not under command

2. Any boat restricted in its ability to maneuver

Operating In Narrow Channels

1. A boat in a narrow channel must keep as far to the right of the channel as is safe and practical.

2. If you are operating a power-driven boat or PWC heading upstream (against the direction of the current) on Mississippi River system, then all boats traveling toward you, downstream or with the current, are stand-on vessels and you must give-way.

3. If operating a boat less than 20 meters (65.6 ft.) in length, a boat under sail or you are engaged in fishing, or are a boat crossing the channel, you may not get in the way of boats that can only navigate within the channel (such as a tugboat with a tow, or a large ship).

4. You must not anchor in a narrow channel.

5. You must use the appropriate sound signals and use extreme caution while operating in a narrow channel when:

• Overtaking another vessel, or being overtaken

• When your view is obstructed, for any reason, such as when you approach a bend in the channel or passing another vessel.

If you are leaving your moorage, or a dock where you were tied, it is your duty to stay out of the way of all approaching vessels.