Right-of-Way Scenarios Every Cruiser Should Know
Boating isn’t like driving on a street with clear lanes and stop signs. On the water, it’s a floating dance of vessels, each with its own responsibilities. Knowing the rules, or at least the most common scenarios, can prevent stress, collisions, and awkward confrontations.
Here are the right-of-way situations we encounter most often on the Loop, explained in plain language so you don’t have to memorize the COLREGS word-for-word.
1. Crossing Situations: Who Yields?
Imagine two boats approaching each other from different directions, not head-on. This is the classic crossing scenario.
Rule of thumb: The boat with the other on its starboard (right) side must yield.
Give-way vessel: the boat that has the other on its starboard (right) side; this boat must yield by altering course or speed.
Stand-on vessel: the boat that has the other on its port (left) side; this boat maintains course and speed.
Example: A powerboat is approaching from your right (starboard). You must adjust (slow down, turn, or otherwise yield) because you are the give-way vessel. The other boat (on your left/port side) maintains course.
Tip: When in doubt, communicate. A quick hail on the VHF can save confusion.
2. Overtaking Situations
Overtaking happens when one vessel is approaching another from behind and intends to pass.
Rule of thumb: The overtaking vessel always yields to the boat ahead. The boat being overtaken holds course.
Give-way vessel: the boat that is coming from behind; this boat must yield by altering course or speed.
Stand-on vessel: the boat that is in front; this boat maintains course and speed, though they may slow down to allow for a “slow pass” from the boat behind them.
Example: You’re sailing along and a tour boat is creeping up behind you. Stay steady; don’t try to speed up to “get out of the way.” The faster boat will maneuver around you safely.
Tip: Use lights, horns, or VHF if visibility is poor or the overtaking boat seems unsure. As a sailboat, we appreciate when faster boats hail us on VHF and let us know they want to pass. We are happy to slow down for a “slow pass,” because large wakes from boats can really rock us and cause damage or injury!
3. Sail vs. Power
Sailboats under sail alone generally have the right of way over powerboats. But there are exceptions:
If the sailboat is tacking (changing direction through the wind), it must give way to a boat on a steady course.
Powerboats can’t expect to ignore a sailing vessel just because they have an engine.
Example: A sailboat beating upwind needed to tack across the channel. As it came about, a trawler already holding a steady course had the right of way. The sailboat waited for the trawler to pass before completing its tack, avoiding a close-quarters situation.
4. Head-On Encounters
When two vessels meet “nose to nose,” both should turn to starboard (right) and pass port-to-port (left side to left side).
Tip: Slow down, keep a good lookout, and communicate intentions. Many groundings and collisions happen when boats assume the other will move first.
5. Docking and Marinas
Marina rules are a little different: speed limits, one-way channels, and assigned slips. The general principle: the boat under power or maneuvering in tight quarters must be extra cautious.
Tip: Watch for tour boats, ferries, or transient traffic. Even if you have the “right of way,” being polite and defensive is always safest.
The Bottom Line
Right-of-way rules are straightforward in theory but require attention, awareness, and sometimes communication. On the Loop—or any busy waterway—observing the basics, staying visible, and hailing when appropriate keeps everyone safer and your day less stressful.
We’d Love to Hear From You!
Have you had a close call or learned a lesson about right-of-way on the water? Share your story in the comments—we’ve all been there!
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