2024 ABCs of California Boating

Rules of the Waterways

If the vessel astern desires to pass to port of the overtaken vessel, it shall give two short blasts. The vessel ahead shall answer with two short blasts if the course is safe. If passing is unsafe, the vessel being overtaken should answer with the danger signal (five or more short and rapid blasts).

OVERTAKING TO PORT SIDE

2 Short Blasts

2 Short Blasts Overtaking Vessel

A vessel approaching another vessel from the stern and overtaking it shall keep out of the way of the overtaken vessel. The vessel being overtaken shall hold its course and speed. Other Situations • If your boat nears a bend in a channel where vessels approaching from the other direction cannot be seen, you should signal with a prolonged blast (four to six seconds). Approaching boats within hearing should answer with the same signal. If your signal is answered by a boat on the farther side of the bend, then usual signals for meeting and passing should be given upon sighting. If your signal goes unanswered, the channel may be considered clear. • Keep your boat to the starboard side of narrow channels whenever safe and practicable. • Sound one prolonged blast when leaving a dock or berth. • Keep out of the way of sailing vessels where courses involve the risk of collision. • In narrow channels, do not hamper the safe passage of vessels such as deep draft liners and freighters, which can navigate only inside such channels. • Paddlers should stay near the shore and cross channels with care, carry an efficient sound signaling device such as a loud whistle, use a white navigation light when paddling at night or in low visibility and never paddle alone. Rules for Sailing Vessels When two sailing vessels are approaching one another, one of them shall keep out of the way of the other so as to avoid the risk of collision, as follows: • When each has the wind on a different side, the vessel with the wind on the port side shall keep out of the way of the other. • When both have the wind on the same side, the vessel that is to windward shall keep out of the way of the vessel that is to leeward.

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