Boating Basics: On the Water

Navigation Rules

There are two terms that help explain these rules.

• Stand-on vessel: The vessel that should maintain its course and speed
• Give-way vessel: The vessel that must take early and substantial action to avoid collision by stopping, slowing down, or changing course

The table below shows pictures and rules for different types of boating situations. For more in-depth instruction, view the interactive animations offered in the online boating course.

Rules: Powerboat vs. Powerboat	Rules: Powerboat vs. Sailboat
MEETING HEAD-ON Power vs. Power: Neither vessel is the stand-on vessel. Both vessels should keep to the starboard (right).	MEETING HEAD-ON Power vs. Sail: The powerboat is the give-way vessel. The sailboat is the stand-on vessel.
CROSSING SITUATIONS Power vs. Power: The vessel on the operator's port (left) side is the give-way vessel. The vessel on the operator's starboard (right) side is the stand-on vessel.	CROSSING SITUATIONS Power vs. Sail: The powerboat is the give-way vessel. The sailboat is the stand-on vessel.
OVERTAKING Power vs. Power: The vessel that is overtaking another vessel is the give-way vessel. The vessel being overtaken is the stand-on vessel.
OVERTAKING Power vs. Sail: The vessel that is overtaking another vessel is the give-way vessel. The vessel being overtaken is the stand-on vessel.