General information6MeetingIf you are meeting another power vessel headon, and are close enough to run the risk of col-lision, neither of you has the right-of-way!Both of you should alter course to avoid an ac-cident. You should keep the other vessel onyour port (left) side. This rule doesn’t apply ifboth of you will clear one another if you con-tinue on your set course and speed.CrossingWhen two power driven vessels are crossingeach other’s path close enough to run the riskof collision, the vessel which has the other onthe starboard (right) side must keep out of theway of the other. If the other vessel is on yourright, you must keep out of its way; you are theGive-Way vessel. If the other vessel is onyour port (left) side, remember that youshould maintain course and direction, provid-ed the other vessel gives you the right-of-wayas it should.OvertakingIf you are passing another vessel, you are the“Give-Way” vessel. This means that the othervessel is expected to maintain its course andspeed. You must stay out of its way until youare clear of it. Likewise, if another vessel ispassing you, you should maintain your speedand direction so that the other vessel cansteer itself around you.EMU25530Other special situationsThere are three other rules you should beaware of when driving your boat around othervessels.Narrow channels and bendsWhen navigating in narrow channels, youshould keep to the right when it is safe andpractical to do so. If the operator of a power-driven vessel is preparing to go around abend that may obstruct the view of other watervessels, the operator should sound a pro-longed blast on the whistle (4 to 6 seconds). Ifanother vessel is around the bend, it tooshould sound the whistle. Even if no reply isheard, however, the vessel should still pro-ceed around the bend with caution. If you nav-igate such waters with your boat, you willneed to carry a portable air horn, availablefrom local marine supply stores.