There's a System — You Just Haven't Been Taught It
Most recreational boaters never formally learned the rules of right of way on the water. They picked up fragments — sailboats have right of way, stay to the right in the channel — without understanding the framework behind them. That gap shows up as uncertainty in crossing situations, hesitation when another boat approaches, and the occasional close call that shouldn't have happened.
The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea — commonly called COLREGS or the Rules of the Road — are the universal traffic laws for vessels. They're not complicated. They follow a clear logic. Once you understand that logic, most situations become obvious. Here's the framework.
The Fundamental Rule: One Gives Way, One Stands On
In every encounter between two vessels, COLREGS assigns one vessel as the "give-way vessel" (must take action to avoid collision) and one as the "stand-on vessel" (must maintain course and speed so the give-way vessel can predict your actions). You're always one or the other — never neither.
The stand-on vessel doesn't ignore the situation. If it becomes clear the give-way vessel isn't acting, the stand-on vessel must eventually take action too. But the give-way vessel acts first, early, and obviously. Small course corrections that the other vessel can't detect don't count.
The Vessel Hierarchy: Who Always Gives Way to Whom
Regardless of the direction of approach, some vessel types always give way to others. Think of this as a priority ladder, from most privileged to least:
- Vessels not under command — broken down, engine failure, uncontrollable
- Vessels restricted in ability to maneuver — dredges, cable-layers, vessels doing work that restricts their movement
- Vessels constrained by draft — large ships in a channel that cannot deviate without grounding
- Vessels engaged in fishing — with gear in the water, not just trolling lines
- Sailing vessels — under sail only, not using an engine
- Power-driven vessels — anything with a motor running as propulsion
As a recreational powerboater, you're at the bottom. You give way to sailboats, fishing vessels with gear deployed, commercial ships in channels, and anything broken down or in distress. Sailors give way to everything above them on the list.
Important: a sailboat using its engine is a power-driven vessel and loses its privileged status. If you see a sailboat motoring, it doesn't have right of way over you.
Crossing Situations: The Most Common Confusion
When two power-driven vessels approach each other at an angle — a crossing situation — the rule is straightforward: the vessel that has the other on its starboard (right) side is the give-way vessel.
Picture it this way: if you look to your right and see the other boat, you give way. If you look to your left and see the other boat, you stand on. The boat coming from your right has priority.
The give-way vessel should alter course to starboard (turn right) or reduce speed — making an obvious, early action. Don't wait until the other boat is close. Don't make a tiny course change the other captain can't see. Make your move early and make it clear.
Head-On Situations: Both Move Right
When two vessels approach each other roughly head-on — both seeing the other's bow — both should alter course to starboard (right) so they pass port-side to port-side. Think of it as driving: when cars meet in opposite lanes, each stays to the right.
If there's any doubt whether you're in a head-on or crossing situation, assume head-on and alter course to starboard. Err on the side of passing port-to-port.
Overtaking: You're Responsible Until You're Clear
If you're coming up behind another vessel and will pass them, you're the overtaking vessel — and you're the give-way vessel, regardless of what type of vessels are involved. This rule overrides everything else. A powerboat overtaking a sailboat must give way to the sailboat, even though the sailboat would normally give way to a power-driven vessel in other encounter types.
You remain the give-way vessel until you're completely past and clear. Don't cut across the other vessel's bow too soon.
In narrow channels, you should pass the vessel ahead on her port side if possible, and signal your intention with sound signals if required. Never overtake in a blind curve or where traffic from the other direction might be coming through.
Narrow Channels: Stay to the Right
In a narrow channel or fairway, keep to the starboard (right) side of the channel as far as safe and practicable. This is the same as driving: stay in your lane, to the right.
Don't anchor in a narrow channel if you can avoid it. If a large vessel that can only navigate in the channel is approaching, give way — even if you technically have right of way in some narrow reading of the rules. Common sense and safe seamanship override strict rule application when a ship the size of a building is headed your way.
The Five Short Blasts: Pay Attention to This One
Five or more short blasts on a horn or whistle is the danger signal — it means "I don't understand your intentions" or "I'm not sure you're taking sufficient action to avoid a collision." If you hear it, look around immediately and figure out who is signaling what, and why. Something is wrong with the developing situation.
If you're uncertain about another vessel's actions, blast five short signals yourself. It's better to create an awkward moment than to silently hope the situation resolves itself.
The Most Important Rule: Use Common Sense
The Rules of the Road exist to prevent collisions, not to determine fault after one happens. If following the technical right-of-way rules in a specific situation would create a collision, don't follow them. A stand-on vessel that holds course into an obvious collision because the other boat was supposed to give way didn't exercise seamanship — it exercised pride.
Rule 2 of COLREGS says exactly this: "In construing and complying with these Rules due regard shall be had to all dangers of navigation and collision and to any special circumstances, including the limitations of the vessels involved, which may make a departure from these Rules necessary to avoid immediate danger."
Know the rules. Apply the rules. And when the rules aren't enough, use your head.
Want to test your knowledge of right-of-way situations? Our free Skipper Quiz covers real-world scenarios, and the Rules of the Road practice tool lets you drill specific situations until they become reflexive.