Boating Basics: On the Water

Safe navigation on Massachusetts waterways is everyone’s responsibility. All operators are equally responsible for taking action necessary to avoid collisions.

Encountering Other Vessels

Even though no vessel will always have the “right-of-way” over another vessel, there are some rules that every operator should follow when encountering other vessels. It is the responsibility of both operators to take action to avoid a collision. The next page shows what to do when you encounter another vessel.

To prevent collisions, every operator should follow the three basic rules of navigation.

Practice good seamanship.
Keep a sharp lookout.
Maintain a safe speed and distance.

Encountering Vessels With Limited Maneuverability

When operating a power-driven vessel, you must give way to:

Any vessel not under command, such as an anchored or disabled vessel
Any vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver, such as a vessel towing another or laying cable, or one constrained by its draft, such as a large ship in a channel
A vessel engaged in commercial fishing
A sailboat under sail unless it is overtaking

When operating a vessel under sail, you must give way to:

Any vessel not under command
Any vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver
A vessel engaged in commercial fishing

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