Navigation Rules: Definitions
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For the purpose of the U. S. Coast Guard’s navigation rules, the following definitions apply.
- Vessel: Every kind of watercraft capable of being used as a means of transportation on water, including seaplanes
- Power-driven vessel: Any vessel propelled by machinery, including a sailboat using an engine
- Sailing vessel: Any vessel under sail and with no engine in use
- Vessel engaged in fishing: Any vessel fishing with nets, lines, trawls, or other fishing equipment that restricts maneuverability; however, this does not include a vessel fishing with trolling lines or other fishing equipment that does not restrict maneuverability
- Underway: Not anchored, tied to shore, or aground
- Risk of collision: Any situation when an approaching vessel continues on a collision course (the bearing of the approaching vessel does not change), or anytime you are approaching a very large vessel