Navigation Rules Explained: Lights, Signals & Vessel Priority

1. ORD-9 Ordinary Navigation Rules Instructors: George Crowl

2. Course Outline (1) • a. Explain the purpose of Navigation Rules, International and Inland. • b. Know the general “Rule of Responsibility.” • c. Define stand-on and give-way vessels for the following situations: meeting, crossing, and overtaking for both power and sailing vessels. • d. Explain “Responsibility Between Vessels” (vessel priority).

3. Course Outline (2) • e. Explain the navigation lights required for power-driven and sailing vessels underway. Explain what is required for a vessel under oars. • Describe the lighting requirements for paddlecraft. Explain why carrying a sound producing device like a whistle is important when operating a paddlecraft. • f. Explain the sound signals for maneuvering, warning, and restricted visibility.

4. ORD-9a Explain the purpose of Navigation Rules, International and Inland.

5. Purpose • Traffic rules, as on a street or road • Traffic rules, as you never see in a large parking lot! • Published on-line by USCG. Google it. • International – basic document • Inland – American rules, side-by-side • Based on International rules • International applies outside the Demarcation Line (usually at the channel entrance offshore)

6. ORD-9b b. Know the general “Rule of Responsibility.” The Rule of Responsibility says that masters are responsible for the safety of their vessels, and will take the necessary action to keep them safe. They may not hide behind the navigation rules if they could have taken action to avoid an accident. (Rule 2)

7. ORD-9c c. Define stand-on and give-way vessels for the following situations: meeting, crossing, and overtaking for both power and sailing vessels.

8. Stand-on / Give-way • Stand-on is “stand-on” but does not have the right of way • Must maintain course and speed if collision is possible • Give-way must maneuver to avoid stand-on vessel • Both vessels must maneuver to avoid collision (Rule 2)

9. Vessels Meeting • Pass port-to-port (“on the one” whistle) • Can signal for opposite (“on the two” whistle)

10. Vessels Crossing • Vessel on your starboard side is stand-on • Bow to 112.5° right (green area) • You give way and pass to stern if possible • Vessel on your port side is give-way (red area)

11. Overtaking Vessels • Overtaking vessel is give-way • Overtaking defined as relative bearing between 112.5° and 247.5° (white area)

12. Sailing Vessels (1) • Port tack is give-way • Wind on port side, mainsail on starboard side

13. Sailing Vessels (2) • Both on same tack, windward is give-way

14. ORD-9d Explain “Responsibility Between Vessels” (vessel priority).

15. Vessel Priority • Based on ability to maneuver • Not under command • Restricted in ability to maneuver • Constrained by draft • Fishing (nets, commercial) • Sailing • Power • Seaplane

16. ORD-9e e. Explain the navigation lights required for power-driven and sailing vessels underway. Explain what is required for a vessel under oars. Describe the lighting requirements for paddlecraft. Explain why carrying a sound pro-ducing device like a whistle is important when operating a paddlecraft.

17. Navigation Lights • Red,green and white • Green – bow to 112.5° starboard • Red – bow to 112.5° port • White – relative bearing 112.5° to 247.5°

18. Rules of the Road • If you see a green light, you are stand-on • If you see a red light, you are give-way • If you see a white light, you are give-way • Red and green, pass port-to-port • Required sunset to sunrise

19. White Lights • Power vessels – 225° mast light + stern light • Includes sailboats under power • Vessels less than 12 meters (39.6') may display one all-around light

20. Sailboat Lights • Just red / green bow and white stern • Can add red over green at masthead • If <66 ft, can have red / green / white at masthead

21. Anchor Light • Display one all-around white lightat mast top • Big boats have more requirements

22. Vessel Under Oars (Paddles, etc.) • Includes sailboats under 7 meters (23 ft) • Display normal lighting if practical • If not, may use an electric torch or lantern • Displayed in time to avoid any collision

23. Paddlecraft Whistle • Paddlecraft are small • They sit low in the water • They may be hard to see • It is important to carry a loud whistle to let other vessels know you may be in their path • Avoid collisions! • Paddlecraft, even if they have the right of way, will come off the loser

24. ORD-9f f. Describe the sound signals for maneuvering, warning, and restricted visibility.

25. Requirements • Vessels under 20 meters (66 ft) – horn or whistle that can be heard for ½ mile. • Small boats can buy “canned air.” Some are rechargeable. • Short blast is one second ( - ) • Long blast is 4-6 seconds ( —— )

26. Maneuvering Signals • One short blast ( - ): altering to starboard • Two short blasts ( - - ): altering to port • Three short blasts ( - - - ): astern propulsion

27. Warning Signal • Five short blasts ( - - - - - ) signals danger. • You are about to get run over, or run over someone. • They are often bigger than you are!

28. Sound Signals Restricted Visibility (1) • All vessels must sound signals every two minutes • May sound no other signal • May not sound passing signals until within sight

29. Sound Signals Restricted Visibility (2) • Power vessels making way – one long ( —— ) • Power vessels making no way – ( —— —— ) • Not under command, restricted maneuver, sailing, fishing, towing – (—— - - ) • Towed vessel – ( —— - - - ) • Bell • Vessel at anchor – rapid 5 seconds ( —— ) • Vessel aground – ( - - - —— - - - )

30. Questions?