Boating has rules, even if they’re not always obvious. The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea—known as COLREGS—help ensure safe navigation and prevent accidents. These rules apply to all vessels on the high seas and connected waterways, including the Intracoastal Waterway. The U.S. Coast Guard publishes the Navigation Rules and Regulations Handbook, which includes both international and inland rules and their annexes.

What Are COLREGS and Why They Matter

Contrary to common mythology, there is no “right-of-way” on the water. According to COLREGS, when two power-driven vessels are at risk of collision there is a “stand-on” vessel and a “give-way” vessel and they both have responsibilities. The give-way vessel is responsible for changing speed, course or both to safely avoid a collision and the stand-on vessel is required to maintain speed and course, not slow down or change direction. The three main situations where these apply are crossing, head-to-head and overtaking.

When two boats are crossing paths the power vessel, which has the other vessel on her starboard quadrant, is the give-way vessel and the vessel which has the other vessel on her port quadrant is the stand-on vessel. In a head-to-head, both vessels are essentially give-way and are to steer to starboard allowing both to pass on each other’s port side. When overtaking, the overtaking vessel is the give-way and must steer clear of the vessel being overtaken, and the vessel being overtaken is the stand-on vessel.

All good. However, the Rules of the Road only apply to one-on-one situations-as soon as a third or more boats enter the picture, all rules are moot and you cannot count on the operator of the other boat to know or care about the rules.

Captain Charlie’s Three Golden Boating Rules

So here is some additional advice I learned from Captain Charlie Beardsley, one of the finest captains I’ve had the pleasure of working with and my mother who bought me a sailboat for my 9th birthday. Captain Charlie’s number one rule is “Slow is Pro,” or as my mother would say, “never enter a slip faster than you are willing to hit, because you will.”

Captain Charlie’s second rule is “Steer Before You Gear.” While in neutral, turn the wheel in the direction you want to go before engaging forward or reverse gear and throttle, especially when performing close in maneuvers.

The third rule Captain Charlie teaches is, “When in Doubt, Throttle Out.” If you are unsure of your speed zone or other boaters’ intentions, slow down.

Learn Humility – When I would make mistakes and get frustrated while learning to sail, my mother would reassure me by saying that boaters must be humble because you will always be learning, and situations are constantly changing. Her favorite saying was, “there are only three types of sailors, those who have run-aground, those that are about to run-aground and those who lie.”

Situational Awareness – Captain Charlie teaches his students to be constantly aware of what is happening all around you and your boat. When on the water, look all around, including back to see if there is an overtaking boat. Know the depth you are operating in and the size of your boat’s wake. He also advises to know before you go: check tides, currents, winds and sea conditions before you leave your house.

Be Courteous – Boating is supposed to be fun, don’t be a jerk and operate your boat in an egregious or irresponsible manner. Most of all, be safe out there.

CAPTAIN MARK KELLUM | THE BOAT COACH
MARKTHEBOATCOACH@GMAIL.COM
MARKTHEBOATCOACH.COM