## Rules of the Road 

Just like cars, boats have rules which govern what happens when they meet each other on the sea. In the rules below, a rule with a lower number takes precedence over a rule with a higher number (e.g. If a power boat approaches a sailing boat head-on [rule 7], the power boat gives way [rule 2]). 

1. Everyone gives way to vessels constrained by depth or at anchor 

2. Power gives way to sail 

3. Sail vs sail : a boat port tack gives way to starboard tack 

4. Sail vs sail : if on the same tact, the windward boat gives way to leeward boat 

5. Sail vs sail : gybing or tacking gives way to sailing 

6. Power vs Power (at an angle) : give way to starboard 

7. Power vs Power (head on) : turn to starboard, pass port to port 

8. Overtaking : boat overtaking gives way 

In some areas, like marinas or sea lanes, there might be special rules. For example in a shipping lane used by big ships all other vessels must give way since these ships take about an hour to stop or turn. Small boats approaching a sea lane must cross at right angles and not travel within the lane. 

Note: a sailing boat is only a sailing boat when the sails are up, if the motor is on, it’s a power boat 

## Safety 

The boom is the most dangerous thing on the boat (see “Gybing” for a description of why). 

## Never get in the way of a moving boom and always be alert for tacks and gybes. 

Moving about a boat can also be dangerous. There are lots of things to bump into and a boat might lurch unexpectedly which might mean an impromptu swim! The rule for moving about a boat is : one hand for you and one for the boat. Always hold onto something when moving around. 

## The 7 F’s of Safety 

Any time you get on a boat you should look for the following 7 things : 

1. Fire  – what fire fighting equipment is on board? Where are the extinguishers? How do you turn off the gas for the stove? (Never smoke inside a cabin on a yacht – it’s a recipe for disaster) 

2. Flooding  – what happens if the boat is full of water? How do you pump it out? Where is the bucket to bail water out if the pump fails? Nothing shifts water faster than a wet crewman with a bucket! 

3. Flotation devices  – okay, so the bucket didn’t work. What now? Where are the life jackets, life rings and other floatation devices? Do you have a life raft? How does it work? 

4. First aid  – what happens when the skipper cuts his finger opening the Chardonnay? Where do you keep the aspirin and alka-seltzer for hangovers? Where are the seasick pills? 

5. Flashlight  – navigating at night requires a flashlight. It can also be used for signalling other boats or signalling for help. You should have at least one if not two on board. 

6. Flares  – if you need to signal for help you might have to use a flare. Flares come in two basic types, smoke and signal. Signal flares give off intense heat and light. Smoke flares give off smoke and are mainly used to signal aircraft or other vessels of your precise location. 

Signal flares come in two colours – red and white. Red flares are known as ‘distress’ flares because they are used when you want to be rescued. White flares are known as ‘ship scarers’ because they are used to alert other ships to your presence. 

Flares are only useful if you can see someone who might rescue you. They won’t attract someone from beyond visual range (so don’t pop all of them in the hope someone will magically appear!) 

After use throw the flare overboard! Flares are hot enough to burn straight through a boat! 

7. Fone / Phone  – okay, so I cheated, there’s no ‘phone’ on board and if there was it wouldn’t be spelled with an F. But there is a radio. See the section marked “Radio” for how it will help you out. 

