Steer In The Centre Of The Canal, Pass Oncoming Boats On The Right. When encountering them take early and positive action to pass at a safe distance. When all boats has sails, it was a lot easier to see ahead on a port tack, hence the rule. Also always slow right down when passing moored boats. From the useless but interesting maritime trivia file: have you ever wondered why most boats have their steering consoles on the right side? Power boats usually have the controls on the left side of the boat because it's easier to run the control cables directly into the side on which they are located. One short blast tells other boaters "I intend to pass you on my port (left) side." Boat Safety RULES OF THE ROAD Unlike the roads in the UK, you drive on the right hand side of the River and pass oncoming boats port (left) side to port side. ... boats were controlled using a steering oar. When overtaking other boats you do so on its port side towards the middle of the river. It depends on who you ask. When two boats have the same priority of right of way based on their classification, the determining factors become position and direction of travel. –Brian Beedham, Richmond Hill, Ont. In any body of water that is considered a navigable waterway, you don't automatically have the right to pass another boat. Types of Boats While it’s not an essential boating skill to be versed in every type of power and sailing craft out on the water, most accomplished boaters know how to identify a handful of different basic boat designs, as well as what they’re designed to do. Why do North American boat manufacturers usually place the steering controls on the starboard side instead of where we’re used to them (on the left) in our cars? Sailing boats and power-driven boats Power usually gives way to sail. In any case of uncertainty, the rules tell us we should slacken our speed. Navigation rules require altering course to starboard to pass unless unsafe. Use your radio to discuss this with the passing boat. As the lead boat, which always has the right of way, stay on your side of the channel and maintain a steady speed so that the overtaking vessel can pass you safely. Boats pass left side to left side, the opposite way to on the roads in the UK. However, you must keep well clear of the boat you are overtaking. ... and most folk being right handed the oar would be on the right, starboard side. Why do ships use "port" and "starboard" instead of "left" and "right?" You might be thinking that it has to do … Three short blasts tell other boaters, “I am operating astern propulsion.” For some vessels, this tells other boaters, “I am backing up.” Allow larger vessels to pass if the width is too tight for you to pass side-by-side. If you are overtaking a boat, you can do so at either side of the boat you wish to pass. Power Boats must yield to Sailboats and boats being rowed or paddled, except in … the old sailors saying is "red right returning" which means pass the red buoy on the starboard (right) side of the boat when returning to port and pass the red buoy on the port (left) side of your boat when leaving the port or channel. Approaching Power-Driven Vessels. It depends on who you ask. But even then the ships are 4 or 5 miles apart and heading in the same direction. If you meet a fishing boat in a narrow channel, you must steer toward the right just like a road. When encountering them take early and positive action to pass at a safe distance. When they are leaving the port its more like how do I get away from the pier safely and into open ocean than any concern about passing on port or starboard side. Two short blasts tell other boaters "I intend to pass you on my starboard (right) side." These bridges, most of which have been replaced by more modern solutions, are simply called movable bridges. Im presuming its because canal boats always have, but why would this be so? In any case of uncertainty, the rules tell us we should slacken our speed. From the useless but interesting maritime trivia file: have you ever wondered why most boats have their steering consoles on the right side?