Rules Of The Road; Steering And Sailing Rules - Yamaha SX230 Owner's/Operator's Manual

RULES OF THE ROAD

Your Yamaha Sport Boat is legally con-
sidered a powerboat. Operation of the
Sport Boat must be in accordance with
the rules and regulations governing the
waterway on which it is used.
Just as there are rules that apply when
you are driving on streets and high-
ways, there are waterway rules that
apply when you are operating your
boat. These rules are used internation-
ally, 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 geographic location, but are all basi-
cally the same as the International
Rules of the Road. The rules presented
here in this Owner's/Operator's Manual
are condensed, and have been provid-
ed for your convenience only. Consult
your local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
or Department 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.
S
AFETY
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 maintain 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 posi-
tive and timely action to stay out of the
way of the stand-on vessel. Normally,
you should not cross in front of the ves-
sel with the right-of-way. You should
slow down or change directions briefly
and pass behind the other vessel. You
should always 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 unavoidable, neither boat has
the right-of-way. Both boats must avoid
the collision.
In other words, follow the standard
rules except when a collision will occur
unless both vessels try to avoid each
other. If that is the case, both vessels
become give-way vessels.
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