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Boating Regulations and Seamanship
From sailboats to barges, there are laws and regulations involved with all types of vessels. Many of these regulations are for the safety of the crew, but they are also for the safety of those around them. This also includes questions about using vessels in coastal and inland waters including definitions of terms, IALA buoyage, seamanship, light and sound signals, crew and vessel safety, statutory regulations, equipment and documents.
500 Questions
What organization in the US establishes the safety rules that people who hunt or fish from a boat should follow?
Asked by Wiki User
If a sail boat is coming down wind in a channel and another boat is on a port tack who has the right of way?
Asked by Wiki User
The general rule is that the close hauled vessel (regardless of tack) has right of way over vessels running. There would be exceptions. If the vessel coming downwind in a channel is so large that it must remain in the channel and the vessel beating to windward on the port tack is small enough to sail outside the channel, the confined vessel has the right of way, even if it is a power boat. If the boat "on a port tack" is broad on the wind and is being overtaken by a vessel running directly downwind, the running vessel is overtaking and must yield. If the vessel broad on a port tack is overtaking, then it must yield. Similarly, sail has right of way over power, except when overtaking and except when the power boat is a ship that cannot maneuver as quickly or is involved in fishing. Regardless of which vessel has the right of way, the general prudential rule always applies: if you can avoid a collision you must. If collision is imminent, both vessels are burdened. One needs to be realistic. A downwind vessel may drop all sail, but without dropping anchor will still move with the wind, whereas a beating vessel will stop much more quickly once sail is dropped. The privileged vessel is supposed to maintain course and speed not as a matter of rights, but as a courtesy to the burdened vessel so it can reasonably predict a safe way to avoid collision. === === Aren't there further limitations for disabled vessel, vessel out of control, vessel towing barges, and seaplane? I'm a little rusty. By the 2009 rules of sailing, if the boat that is coming down wind is on starboard tack, then it has the right of way (port/starboard rule), but if the boat that is coming down wind is on port tack, then the leeward boat has right of way (windward/leeward). Also, smaller vessels have rights over larger ones, but it a good idea, as the previous answerer stated as well, to avoid collisions at (almost) all costs.
There is a generally accepted rule that the more maneuverable boat should stay clear of the less maneuverable one. You must avoid collisions at all costs, so if a vessel is disabled, out of control, etc. then they should be avoided/helped.
What is the place assigned to a vessel when anchored along side a pier?
Asked by Wiki User
A ship is assigned a "berth" or a "boatslip" (or just plain "slip").
How do latitude and longitude help identify your exact location on earth?
Asked by Wiki User
Latitude is a geographic coordinate that specifies the north-south position of a point on the Earth's surface, while longitude specifies the east-west position. Lines of latitudes are horizontal lines parallel to the equator and longitude (or meridians) are vertical lines. Latitude and longitude are used in a map grid system.
Latitude and longitude are similar to large cities having streets running in one direction (e.g., East-West) and avenues running perpendicular (e.g., North-South) such that if you know a street number and avenue intersection you can find any places relative to any intersection (e.g. 5th Avenue and East 75th Street).
Latitude and longitude use the same concept such that knowing the coordinates can locate an exact point on the planet. Latitude and longitude is easier than streets and avenues because latitude and longitude is consistent across the planet, while streets and avenues are not. In addition, you can add decimal places to the coordinates to get more a precise location to map down to a single point plus or minus a centimeter or even smaller if needed.
If capsized and floating on your back in a swift river current how should you position your feet?
Asked by Wiki User
Your feet should be first in the current. Otherwise, you could slam your head into rocks.
When does a sailboat have the right of way over a recreational power boat?
Asked by Wiki User
A sailboat has the right of way over a recreational power boat only when under sail alone and is crossing the path of the powerboat. I would expect a sailboat would always have right of way. How fast can a sailboat change direction compared to a speed boat? Speed boat drivers should be watching for sail boats or stationary boats at all times. Actually, on our lake, it seems as though the sail boats are stationary....hmmmm A sail boat only has the right away when it is in full sail. If the sail's are down and it is using its motor to power it, it is then considered a motor boat. The above answer is correct, with a little clarification. A sailboat would have the right of way over a power boat when it is under sail "only." In other words, if the sails are up but the motor is also operating, it would be considered a power boat and the normal rules of the road would apply equally to both. Also, there are certain categories of power driven vessels engaged in specific types of operations (like surveying, dredging, etc.) that have the right of way over all other vessels, including sailboats under sail only.
Further discussion:
Actually, there isn't a "right of way" under the Colregs. There are "stand on vessels" and "burdened vessels".
A powered vessel constrained by draft in a seaway, for example, will be considered the stand on vessel (privileged vessel) and must maintain its course and speed when an unconstrained sailing vessel approaches. The sailing vessel, in this case, would be the burdened vessel and must give way.
What is a type IV PFD?
Asked by Wiki User
A type IV PFD is a personal flotation device. The classification is given by the United States Coast Guard. It is a device that is throwable.
Which of the following vessels has priority when entering a lock?
Asked by Wiki User
Personal Watercraft (PWC)
Fishing boats
Recreational powerboats
Military or naval craft
Are boating licenses required in Florida and Georgia?
Asked by Wiki User
In Florida, those born after Jan. 1, 1988 operating a vessel powered by a motor of 10 horsepower or greater (including PWCs) must have a Florida Boating Safety Education ID card. In Georgia, any person 12-16 is required to have a Georgia Boater Education Card (also referred to as the GA Boating License) if they are operating without direct adult supervision. For more information on this, visit the related link.
