Avoiding Boat Collisions: A Practical Approach
Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Contact: Jim Feeny, Flotilla Commander,
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 7-8
412-269-1892

In any crossing situations, the best way for the skipper of the give way vessel to avoid frantic last minute maneuvering, which creates confusion and increases the likelihood of a collision, is to make course changes early. The sooner the better; at a mile or two, a slight change of course will usually be enough. However, the closer the two boats are, the more important it becomes to make a course change that will be immediately obvious to the other skipper. One tactic is to head for the other boat’s wake until you’re certain it is going to pass safely in front of your boat.

What if you’re the stand-on vessel and the other skipper either doesn’t understand the rules or doesn’t see you? Five or more short blasts, signaling danger, should get his or her attention. If not, slow the boat immediately and turn away from the collision. DON’T wait until the boats are a few yards apart to take evasive action. The longer you wait, the more radical your maneuver will be and the more likely the other skipper will become confused.

When approaching another boat head on, both boats are supposed to turn to starboard to avoid a collision. The turn must be obvious, so that the other skipper clearly sees your boat’s port side. In a crowded channel or fairway, boats should keep to the right side of the channel, just like on a highway.

Besides crossing and approaching, the other situation addressed by Navigation Rules is overtaking. When you’re approaching another boat from astern, sound one short blast if you’ll be overtaking on its starboard side and two if you’ll be overtaking on its port side. While you can’t be sure your signals have been understood, signaling has the advantage in any situation of getting the other skipper’s attention. (If you respond to another vessel’s signal, respond with the same signal or the danger signal—never respond with a contradictory signal.)

To learn more, sign up for a safe boating course by visiting the Coast Guard Auxiliary''s website at www.cgaux.org.

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed civilian component of the United States Coast Guard. These men and women can be found on the nation's waterways, in the air, in classrooms and on the dock, performing Maritime Domain Awareness patrols, safety patrols, vessel safety checks and public education.



Submitted by: US Coast Guard Auxiliary

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