Knowledge of the navigation rules and these tips can reduce the chance of having a collision with another boat.
The most current Coast Guard accident statistics from the 2005 boating season show the most common boating accident was a collision with another boat. 1,378 boat collision accidents were reported that resulted in 79 fatalities. Post-accident drowning caused Seventy percent of these fatalities and 87 percent of the victims were not wearing a Personal Floatation Device.
Avoiding Collisions - Here are eight suggestions from the Coast Guard to actively avoid collisions with other vessels:
1 - Navigation Rules - Boaters are supposed to operate under what are known as Navigation Rules (Rules), established by the implementation of COLREGS or International Regulations for Avoiding Collisions at Sea. These Rules of the Road were adopted in 1972 and are widely available to the boating public. There are two sets of very similar rules, one for international and the other for inland waters. Knowing the rules ensures each operator understands their responsibilities and can anticipate the actions of other boaters who also follow the rules. Copies of COREGS can be purchased from the US Government Printing Office and viewed online at the Coast Guard Navigation Rules Homepage.
2 – Keep a Proper Lookout (Rule 5) - Operator inattention and failure to maintain a proper lookout are the most frequent causes of boat collision. Navigation Rule 5 says, "Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate…" The phrase all available means appropriate means that vessels equipped with radar should also use it to help avoid collisions.
3 – The Danger Zone - Boat operator positions are normally on the starboard side of the vessel. The danger zone is an area that extends from dead ahead to 22.5 degrees aft of your starboard beam. This is the same arc illuminated by your green navigation sidelight. The concept of the danger zone is that if you see another vessel approaching yours from within this zone, they are likely to be privileged or have the right of way. Having the operator on the starboard same of the boat affords an unobstructed view of the danger zone.
4 – Stay to the Right (Rule 9) - Boats entering narrow waters, sharp bend or channels should keep their boats to the right shore. This will help prevent unplanned meetings and many large vessels are restricted to the center of a channel because of their draft.
5 – Safe Speed (Rule 6) - Powerboats should slow down in congested areas. A safe speed allows enough time for effective action to be taken for collision avoidance.
6 - Bow Up - Most powerboats will initially have a bow up attitude until the hull is at planning speed. The bow will block operator visibility until this is corrected. Use trim tabs, adjustable lower units or motor brackets to minimize the transition period.
7 – Sailboat Maneuvering (Rule 9) - Sailboats operating under sail should crossing situations in narrow channels with large vessels that constrained by their deep draft. Rule 9 says, "A vessel less than 20 meters long or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel that can safely navigate only within a narrow channel."
8 – Personal Watercraft (Rule 14) - Personal watercraft fall under the rule category for power-driven vessels. Many PWC operators do not know that they should turn to starboard or the right to avoid collision when meeting other powerboats head-on.
