What Should You Do To Avoid Colliding With Another Boat 12 Tips

Look in all directions multiple times before making any turns. T On a larger boat with multiple crew members, there should always be a dedicated lookout (the same way there is a designated first mate, chief engineer, or captain).

As a general guidance, you’re typically going to be moving “too fast” on a boat with an engine if you’re going 20–30 mph (32–48 km/h). [3] X Research source .

Remember, if you’re in a kayak or canoe, you always stay on the outer edge on the right of the red buoys.

Boats with engines: Always turn starboard (right) when approaching vehicles head on or at an angle. You always give the right of way to other vessels. {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/a/ad/What-Should-You-Do-to-Avoid-Colliding-with-Another-Boat-Step-4Bullet1. jpg/v4-460px-What-Should-You-Do-to-Avoid-Colliding-with-Another-Boat-Step-4Bullet1. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/a/ad/What-Should-You-Do-to-Avoid-Colliding-with-Another-Boat-Step-4Bullet1. jpg/v4-728px-What-Should-You-Do-to-Avoid-Colliding-with-Another-Boat-Step-4Bullet1. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">

\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U. S. and international copyright laws. This image is not</b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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<br />\n</p></div>"} Sailboats: If you’re on a port (left) tack, give way to sailboats on a starboard (right) tack. When on the same tack, the vessel closest to the windward side must give way. {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/9/92/What-Should-You-Do-to-Avoid-Colliding-with-Another-Boat-Step-4Bullet2. jpg/v4-460px-What-Should-You-Do-to-Avoid-Colliding-with-Another-Boat-Step-4Bullet2. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/9/92/What-Should-You-Do-to-Avoid-Colliding-with-Another-Boat-Step-4Bullet2. jpg/v4-728px-What-Should-You-Do-to-Avoid-Colliding-with-Another-Boat-Step-4Bullet2. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">

<br />\n</p></div>"} Kayaks and rowboats: Stay to the right of red buoys and never enter main shipping channels. On busy water, you always stay on the shore side. Overtake on the right. [6] X Research source {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/2/24/What-Should-You-Do-to-Avoid-Colliding-with-Another-Boat-Step-4Bullet3. jpg/v4-460px-What-Should-You-Do-to-Avoid-Colliding-with-Another-Boat-Step-4Bullet3. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/2/24/What-Should-You-Do-to-Avoid-Colliding-with-Another-Boat-Step-4Bullet3. jpg/v4-728px-What-Should-You-Do-to-Avoid-Colliding-with-Another-Boat-Step-4Bullet3. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">

<br />\n</p></div>"} All boats: Give way to boats being overtaken by another boat. It is your responsibility to give way to large ships and maintain a safe distance. {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/a/a8/What-Should-You-Do-to-Avoid-Colliding-with-Another-Boat-Step-4Bullet4. jpg/v4-460px-What-Should-You-Do-to-Avoid-Colliding-with-Another-Boat-Step-4Bullet4. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/a/a8/What-Should-You-Do-to-Avoid-Colliding-with-Another-Boat-Step-4Bullet4. jpg/v4-728px-What-Should-You-Do-to-Avoid-Colliding-with-Another-Boat-Step-4Bullet4. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">

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The exception here is for large, commercial ships (i. e. shipping freighters, Navy frigates). It is always the recreational boat’s job to get out of the way, even if you’re going slower than they are.

Always be predictable. Other boats don’t know what’s going on in your head when you’re on the water, so remove as much guesswork as you can.

1 short blast: “I want to pass you on my port side (your starboard side). ” If you agree, reply with 1 short blast of your own. {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/8/8b/What-Should-You-Do-to-Avoid-Colliding-with-Another-Boat-Step-7Bullet1. jpg/v4-460px-What-Should-You-Do-to-Avoid-Colliding-with-Another-Boat-Step-7Bullet1. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/8/8b/What-Should-You-Do-to-Avoid-Colliding-with-Another-Boat-Step-7Bullet1. jpg/v4-728px-What-Should-You-Do-to-Avoid-Colliding-with-Another-Boat-Step-7Bullet1. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">

<br />\n</p></div>"} 1 prolonged blast: “I am leaving the dock” or “I am around the corner. ” If you hear this from a corner, reply with 1 prolonged blast. {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/d/d0/What-Should-You-Do-to-Avoid-Colliding-with-Another-Boat-Step-7Bullet2. jpg/v4-460px-What-Should-You-Do-to-Avoid-Colliding-with-Another-Boat-Step-7Bullet2. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/d/d0/What-Should-You-Do-to-Avoid-Colliding-with-Another-Boat-Step-7Bullet2. jpg/v4-728px-What-Should-You-Do-to-Avoid-Colliding-with-Another-Boat-Step-7Bullet2. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">

<br />\n</p></div>"} 3 short blasts: “I am backing up or operating in reverse. ” {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/7/77/What-Should-You-Do-to-Avoid-Colliding-with-Another-Boat-Step-7Bullet3. jpg/v4-460px-What-Should-You-Do-to-Avoid-Colliding-with-Another-Boat-Step-7Bullet3. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/7/77/What-Should-You-Do-to-Avoid-Colliding-with-Another-Boat-Step-7Bullet3. jpg/v4-728px-What-Should-You-Do-to-Avoid-Colliding-with-Another-Boat-Step-7Bullet3. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">

<br />\n</p></div>"} 1 prolonged blast + 3 short blasts: “I am departing a dock in reverse. ” {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/f/fc/What-Should-You-Do-to-Avoid-Colliding-with-Another-Boat-Step-7Bullet4. jpg/v4-460px-What-Should-You-Do-to-Avoid-Colliding-with-Another-Boat-Step-7Bullet4. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/f/fc/What-Should-You-Do-to-Avoid-Colliding-with-Another-Boat-Step-7Bullet4. jpg/v4-728px-What-Should-You-Do-to-Avoid-Colliding-with-Another-Boat-Step-7Bullet4. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">

<br />\n</p></div>"} 5 short blasts: “Danger!” or, “I do not understand what you want to do. ” This is basically a reset button for the other boat to indicate they are not safe to do whatever they’re trying to do. This is the equivalent of slamming on a car horn to avoid a collision. {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/7/79/What-Should-You-Do-to-Avoid-Colliding-with-Another-Boat-Step-7Bullet5. jpg/v4-460px-What-Should-You-Do-to-Avoid-Colliding-with-Another-Boat-Step-7Bullet5. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/7/79/What-Should-You-Do-to-Avoid-Colliding-with-Another-Boat-Step-7Bullet5. jpg/v4-728px-What-Should-You-Do-to-Avoid-Colliding-with-Another-Boat-Step-7Bullet5. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">

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These huge ships take forever to change course, and they’re moving much faster than they appear on the horizon.

If you ever need to call out distress or mayday, you do it on channel 16. When hailing another boat, tell them to move to a specific channel other than 16 (or 9) so that you don’t clog the public channels.

Depending on where you live, it may actually be illegal to take your boat out at night. Refer to your local laws for more info.