Safety information
17
Rules of the road
Your Yamaha boat is legally considered a
powerboat. Operation of the boat must be
in accordance with the rules and regula-
tions governing the waterway on which it
is used.
Just as there are rules that apply when you
are driving on streets and highways, there are
waterway rules that apply when you are oper-
ating your boat. These rules are used interna-
tionally, and are also enforced by the United
States Coast Guard and local agencies. You
should be aware of these rules, and follow
them whenever you encounter another vessel
on the water.
Several sets of rules prevail according to geo-
graphic location, but are all basically the same
as the International Rules of the Road. The
rules presented here in this owner’s/opera-
tor’s manual are condensed, and have been
provided for your convenience only. Consult
your local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or De-
partment of Motor Vehicles for a complete set
of rules governing the waters in which you will
be operating your boat.
Steering and sailing rules
Whenever two vessels on the water meet one
another, one vessel has the right-of-way; it is
called the “stand-on” vessel. The vessel that
does not have the right-of-way is called the
“give-way” or “burdened” vessel. These rules
determine which vessel has the right-of-way,
and what each vessel should do.
Stand-on vessel
The vessel with the right-of-way has the duty
to continue its course and speed, except to
avoid an immediate collision. When you main-
tain your direction and speed, the other vessel
will be able to determine how best to avoid
you.
Give-way vessel
The vessel which does not have the right-of-
way has the duty to take positive and timely
action to stay out of the way of the stand-on
vessel. Normally, you should not cross in front
of the vessel with the right-of-way. You should
slow down or change directions briefly and
pass behind the other vessel. You should al-
ways move in such a way that the operator of
the other vessel can see what you are doing.
The General Prudential Rule regarding the
right-of-way is that if a collision appears un-
avoidable, neither boat has the right-of-way.
Both boats must avoid the collision.
In other words, follow the standard rules ex-
cept when a collision will occur unless both
vessels try to avoid each other. If that is the
case, both vessels become give-way vessels.
Rules when encountering vessels
There are three main situations that you may
encounter with other vessels which could lead
to a collision unless the Steering Rules are fol-
lowed:
Meeting: you are approaching another vessel
head-on.
Crossing: you are traveling across another
vessel’s path.
Overtaking: you are passing or being passed
by another vessel.
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