Published on Georgia DNR - Wildlife Resources Division (http://www.georgiawildlife.com)

Encountering Other Boats

Navigation Rules

There are two terms that help explain these rules:

Stand-on boat The boat or PWC which should maintain its course and speed
Give-way boat The boat or PWC which must take early and substantial action to avoid collision by stopping, slowing down or changing course

Power vs. Power

Meeting Head-On

Power vs. Power: Neither boat is the stand-on boat. Both boats should keep to the starboard (right).

Power vs. Sail: The powerboat is the give-way boat. The sailboat is the stand-on boat.

Power vs. Sail

Power vs. Power

Crossing Situations

Power vs. Power: The boat on the port (left) is the give-way boat. The boat on the starboard (right) is the stand-on boat.

Power vs. Sail: The powerboat is the give-way boat. The sailboat is the stand-on boat.

Power vs. Sail

Power vs. Power

Overtaking

Power vs. Power: The boat which is overtaking another boat is the give-way boat. The boat being overtaken is the stand-on boat.

Power vs. Sail: The boat which is overtaking another boat is the give-way boat. The boat being overtaken is the stand-on boat.

Power vs. Sail

Source URL: http://www.georgiawildlife.com/Boating/NavigationRules