When we are out plying our hobby on the wide waterways of the world, we will often meet with others who have their own boats, carvels, sailboats, schooners, yachts, barges, ships and other floaty things that can be classed as “vessels.” It is important to know who has the “right of way” when we meet or encounter such other fine fellow travelers, so we don’t end up crashing.
Even a log floating on the water and being used as a conveyance is considered a legal “vessel,” too. So, it may not necessarily need to look like a boat. And any “vessel” that isn’t anchored or tied to the shore or a dock, is considered to be “under way.”
Anyway, the PRIMARY rule is: No matter who officially has the “right of way,” YOU are responsible for avoiding a collision if there is some way you can avoid a collision.
There is a pecking order of which types of vessels should give way to others. In the theoretical world, canoes, kayaks and paddle boards are pretty much at the top of the list – all other types of boats are supposed to give way to us. The pecking order runs:
- Overtaken vessels
- Vessels not under command (if the captain is knocked out, or incapacitated)
- Vessels restricted in their ability to maneuver (such as taking in fishing nets)
- Vessels constrained by draft (if they are so big, they must stay in a channel)
- Fishing vessels engaged in fishing with gear deployed
- Sailing vessels not using their motors
- Power driven vessels.
- The vessels lower on the list are supposed to give way to vessels higher on the list.
Our “human powered vessels” would pretty much always be classed as “overtaken vessels.” And everyone else SHOULD avoid running into us.
As if.
In the real world, nobody else cares, and usually we are much more easily able to move out of their way. Large vessels, moving rapidly, are probably not going to SEE US, let alone turn to go around us. And barges or ships in the Intracoastal cannot easily change course or move out of the channel to avoid us. And large boats or ships can’t really change course or speed in anything less than a mile or two.
If, on the other hand, two similar vessels meet, it depends on whether the boats are going in the same direction, are going in opposite directions, or are crossing paths.
If they are going in the same direction, the boat that is “overtaking” the slower boat must avoid the slower boat. In other words, the slower boat doesn’t have to change its speed or direction to avoid colliding. The faster boat is supposed to turn or change its speed or direction to avoid colliding with the boat in front.
If they are going towards each other, each boat must act to alter their course so as to pass each other on the port (or left) side of the other. This should be easy to remember, as it is usually how roads in America are set up. Drive on the right side of whatever road, right?
It is a little more complicated if you are in a river with a restricted channel. Normally, the boat going downstream has the right of way, and the boat going upstream must give way. But we need to take into account that a large boat under power might not be able to change course or speed, and we need to be able to get out of the way. Having paddled in the Intracoastal and been shocked and surprised when a practically silent barge came up behind me, it is important to keep aware of other boats in those waters.
If two boats are crossing paths, the boat on the starboard (right) side, has the right of way. Just like in a car, if two cars meet at a crossroads at the same time, the car on the right side of the intersection has the right of way.
As always though, none of this “right of way” stuff means anything if the powered boat, or sailboat, or 6-man racing boat during the Water Safari run you over. The primary and most important rule is: YOU are responsible for avoiding a collision, and you are probably more able to maneuver out of the way in any circumstance that you might encounter.
Especially if you are in the way of a six-man team during the Texas Water Safari. They will run you right over. In the famous words of John Ohrt during the Buffalo Bayou Regatta: “I’m not stopping for anything.”
Take care of yourselves out there.
See you On The Water!
Harmon