Navigation Rules: Definitions

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