What Boat has the Right of Way? Learn the Rules of the Road

What Boat has the Right of Way? Learn the Rules of the Road!
Understanding the rules of the road on the water is paramount for any boat operator, considering various critical elements such as the size and type of vessel, draft, and maneuverability. Join us in this informative video as we navigate through the complexities of marine navigation and maritime etiquette as we explore how different types of vessels, from small watercraft to larger ships, must navigate the waters in harmony. Gain insights into the role of draft and maneuverability in making split-second decisions to ensure safe and efficient passage, even in challenging conditions.
Whether you're a seasoned boater or a novice mariner, this comprehensive guide is designed to equip you with the essential knowledge needed to operate your vessel responsibly and safely.
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[@RaymondWoodward-ps6tw]

I'm 68 yrs old, grew up in a harbor town, spent most of my life in/around boats & water, including sailboats. (Never commercially) These ladies do a fabulous job of "putting the cookies on the lower shelf" -- skipping unnecessary lingo, mumbo, & jumbo. Not to mention, they have very neatly compartmentalized all these topics. I wish everybody was required to watch their videos before piloting anything bigger than an inner tube.

[@GaleForceTwins]

That is such a nice compliment!! Thank you very much 😊

[@RaymondWoodward-ps6tw]

@@GaleForceTwins Oh, it's sincere, and I gain a lot from your presentations. (Older isn't necessarily better.) Carry on...please!

[@NYHalfassprepper]

Amanda, I am a SUNY Maritime graduate working as a tug captain. I have been a mariner on and off for 35 years. I applaud the idea of making a rules of the road video to train pleasure boaters however you made a few mistakes that need correcting. You are conflating several rules and misapplying some rules. I could write a whole essay because this is my thing. At SUNY you get a whole semester of rules because its so important. First seaplanes are at the bottom of the "pecking order" and must give way to all other vessels on the water. See Rule 18 (e). Second a container ship in a channel is not constrained by draft. That's international only, a vessel only gets this privilege if it displays the appropriate light or dayshape. A container ship is however covered by Rule 9 (narrow channels. Common sense dictates that you do not get in their way. Next kayaks are not mentioned in the rules. They must comply with the rules like all other vessels. They do not get the right of way because they are kayaks, Although common sense dictates that you don't run them over or wake them excessively. Bridges are not mentioned in the nav rules, you are conflating three rules here. Wind and current are not a factor. It may be tradition in Florida or a local rule but it does not appear in the Nav rules. Wind is only a factor between sailing vessels and upstream and downstream is only a thing on Western Rivers. (d) Notwithstanding Rule 14(a), a power-driven vessel operating on the Great Lakes, Western Rivers, or waters specified by the Secretary, and proceeding downbound with a following current shall have the right-of-way over an upbound vessel, shall propose the manner of passage, and shall initiate the maneuvering signals prescribed by Rule 34(a)(i), as appropriate. If you have any other questions, I'm your man. If you come to NY Harbor, I would be happy to teach you in person on the tug.

[@gabrieleantonioparodi538]

At least one real captain. thank you

[@kevint8353]

Also CBD doesn’t apply inland

[@georgetuider654]

Just got a new boat this week. After being boatless for three years, I needed a refresher on the rules of the road. Thanks.

[@keithhumpherys8343]

You’re so twins. I know the feeling of explaining something together with my twin on a subject. Cute!

[@teamrock1]

Very helpful for us new boaters! 🙏🏼

[@eugenebatiste]

Great video. Here in the Chesapeake Bay we have A LOT of military and Government patrol vessels and ships. We have to consider using horns/bells/sirens in waterway engagements. This also lets the boater know if the approaching helm is manned or unmanned which will clearly inform the captain of who is the "giveaway vessel". There's nothing like getting the ship's horn form an aircraft carrier, and the warning PA to take you off your fishing spot. LOL.

[@osmos3]

Much more entertaining than reading the ColRegs! Nicely done!

[@dennispilotte7286]

I agree, most boaters don’t know or don’t follow the water rules. I’ve had personal experiences that support exactly what you said. Great KZbin video!

[@winstonsmith4003]

I had a situation with a narrow bridge pass and another boat a was anchored and fishing, almost blocking the entire pass. I did not feel comfortable passing at other places in the bridge and idled by him, at a safe distance. He thought I was a (insert word of choice) by his reaction, but I thought he was being unsafe by anchoring in the middle of a narrow pass

[@pitar821]

One more thing about overtaking, and I don't know if this is the case in the US, but it's the rule in Europe - vessel being overtaken must maintain its speed and heading as it's being overtaken i.e it's forbidden from making sudden changes in speed and direction while being passed.

[@peterb3124]

Really good review. You didn't mention sound signals or fog, but hardly anyone uses sound signals in inland waters. I well and truly wish more people knew these and used them. I fish Potomac and some of the Virginia lakes, and it's dangerous. Almost no one follows them.

[@clinty51]

Best piece of advice was right there in the bloopers...make sure you are watching the water...good lookout Capitan!!

[@gypsybelle637]

I really admire yawll. I'm an older woman, learning to navigate for the first time. I hope I will get more comfortable soon.😳😁👍🏼I really learn allot from yawll. Thank you.👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@jake9705]

Video idea: How to handle medical emergencies at sea? For example, what if I take my friend and I out on my boat to go in-shore fishing all afternoon and I have a stroke, pass out onto the deck, and my fishing buddy has no idea how to operate a boat or radio? He better hope he has cell phone reception!

[@racheltroutwine1999]

Currently taking the American Boating Club Rules of the Road class:) you girls are so informative, keep up the good work!

[@CampingChuck]

I enjoy the educational videos. You two are doing great!

[@cletustheweatherman6629]

Great video very helpful thank you

[@user-wv4bk6ue9f]

The end was the best.

[@lifeafter5588]

I know you've done a video similar to this in the past, because as a relatively new boater, I learned a lot by watching it. This video had even more information and I really like the diagrams using the boats, and specifically talking about night and seeing the red/green lights. Thank you for all the information you give! Oh, and congrats on the wedding Amanda. You looked absolutely gorgeous!

[@thecableguy1128]

Great job explaining the rules. Unfortunately here in Louisiana I can tell you that 99.75 % of the people on the water should not have a boat. They drive around like a crazy person. I think they just don’t care about anyone but themselves. I took my boat out fishing 2 weeks ago and it was unbelievable how many people were slowing down and throwing a 3 foot wake to pass me while on anchor. I was rocking so hard I took on water over the side of my boat. I was pushed into the wall 3 times. Luckily I have an 18 ft aluminum flatboat and it won’t get as much damage as a fiberglass hull would. I seen some people driving through the other people’s fishing lines. Right over their corks. It really sucks how much it has changed in how people treat each others on the water.

[@GMCRaptor]

Outtakes were very funny, love you girls always very informative 👍🇦🇺

[@merlinbroaddus]

I LOVE you two!!! I am moving to Florida soon(from Colorado), and you teach me SOO much! I am hoping to buy and live on a boat!!!!

[@valkushnir2523]

I loved it ladies! I am still learning these boating rules, just got my Boater card here in California, thank you!

[@GaleForceTwins]

Our pleasure!

[@MichaelBrown-oc7rr]

Thanks for this tutorial on learning the rules of the water

[@landosharks9669]

Brilliant job providing "anchor" knowledge on the rule for entering from a small body of water like an on ramp and yielding to the traffic on the bigger, faster path. I know how an on ramp works, so I can anchor this to my new knowledge of the water! Thank you for making it easy to remember! Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃🥧

[@wilnoreugene1582]

Hey thank you for the information, I just completed my safety course in FLORIDA and I’m looking forward to getting on the water . Watching your channel a great help

[@CatarineausArmory]

Loved both the rules review and the bloopers. and the scenery in FL.

[@fishhunt9874]

Very good information for new boaters and those who are boating in new unfamiliar areas. You left out one of the hierarchy scenarios, vessels under tow. Could be a tug towing a barge or one vessel towing a disabled vessel. Also in the overtaking scenario. If you are going to overtake (pass move ahead of) another vessel especially at night you are required to sound 1 horn blast if you’re passing on their Starboard side. You must sound 2 horn blasts if you are passing on their port side🤙🏼 Really enjoy your channel, keep up the good work 🇺🇸

[@humbertodiaz9753]

Excellent! I also love the end. Its soooooo real. That's what I like about you two. Very funny. Keep the good work

[@user-zy7oh5js8v]

Very nice training video. I would suggest putting some links in the description to the USCG Nav rules of the road and to some stickers like BoatUS' Boat Handling Guide. I know that most non-commercial boaters don't use sound signal, but they are good to know when interacting with any commercial vessels. I love your videos, so please keep them coming. David

[@amiabledave50]

You forgot to say when you are the Give-Way vessel overtaking (Stand-On). That the Give-Way vessel should give one blast of the horn overtaking to starboard. Two blasts overtaking to port. Stand-on vessel should acknowledge.

[@rjwintl]

excellent point

[@Vicious261]

Thanks for the video!

[@tommyc9237]

Great video, very helpful review and loved the outtakes.

[@stephenmaher2265]

I like these ladies. Plenty of good tips

[@richardfs7814]

Great video. Appreciate the effort you two put into it. Just moved to Titusville last January with a 30-ft tri-toon. Even after reading the rules I finally sort of gave up and just went with the idea that everyone has the right of way over me. This video cleared up a lot and I thank you for making it. (I think I've watched every video y'all have ever made.)

[@AstronautOtto]

I need a refresher on how to set an automatic course with the simrad. Would be nice to watch that before the 23rd of December when I go to Egmont Key 😎

[@carltontweedle5724]

Being a small dingy sailor in the UK no motor, I have to tack to sail in the channel in America I would be dead. We have a speed limit on motor boats of 5 knots until half mile off shore. Being under sail I can excede that. Like you said current or out going tide.

[@molassescricket6663]

Great video guys! I really enjoy these types of videos, could you please, please do more? Perhaps buoys and channel markers? People talk a lot about swell, wind, up sea, down sea, etc., but I never see or hear anything that includes wind waves. I know that you’ve done a video about handling a boat in rough water, but you never mentioned tide or wind waves. I want you to know that I used that video as a guide for me this past year and, that I really, really appreciate it. Thank you both so much!

[@ricks5917]

love these boating/handling vids just as much as the fishing ones. Keep em coming. One question though, are there rules when entering/exiting inlets? watching haulover vids and most times seems like chaos!🤣....vessels of all sizes, some really flying by, some making u-turns, and not to mention the jetski zigzag factor. anyway great content! the outakes af the ends are always enjoyed!!!😁

[@nerdgarage]

haulover is a great example of nobody knows, and those few who might have no choice but to join the chaos and just do their best to (a) avoid hitting anyone else (b) avoid being hit

[@joncornwell8872]

LMAO at the bloopers. So I'm not the only one who forgets this stuff too. The other thing that always confuses me is when to toot your horn, and what they mean. I always get it mixed up.

[@richseahag4980]

I think the coast guard got the seaplane rule assbackwards. When landing a plane on water you’re kind of committed and can’t easily alter course. Very cool flying a seaplane.

[@josiahwise6160]

I’d love to see a video about how to service these large center consoles. Regular maintenance that’s easy on a 23ft that can easily be trailered but might be more difficult on a 30ft+ boat that stays in a slip

[@Djm9393]

Bloody freaking legends 👏 full sending never lifting 😏 🤙 mobbin deep 🙌 knowledge is power

[@tigeram100]

Great video girls…thanks

[@rski1036]

Great example of, "out of kitchen out of bed, out of place."

[@goaski474]

Unfortunately, there is no right of way on the water. I'd guess about 98% of boaters point and shoot, clueless of safety and proper basic navigation. Thanks for the video and for being part of the 2%!

[@COBALTGRUV]

Thanks, as always. Also, what do you do when dog needs to go to bathroom?

[@chunkyd5880]

When in doubt, the right of way always goes to the bigger boat.

[@bdphourde]

Hopefully, it is a review for the boaters watching, but it is good information for everyone on the water. At the end I saw the situation I have encountered several times going along the ICW. The situation is a head-on with a boat that is going to be overtaken by a third boat. I have a 7' draft on my sailboat and the ICW isn't always 10' all the way to the edges of the channel. I am definitely leery of moving all the way to my right side to make room for 3 large boats abeam. I went as far as I dared until the depth sounder showed swallowing. I called on VHF 16 and neither motor yacht captain responded on either call. The give-way requirement was on the overtaking vessel but have never had much luck with one that was not big enough to have a professional captain at the helm. I had two overtaking encounters with large motor yachts in the past in more rural areas of the ICW (but narrow channels) where they overtook at a high rate of speed and within maybe 70'. The pass left my boat rocking left and right to about 45º from the wake. I store things below when leaving the dock but not to the same degree as I do going offshore. It was a mess down below! That was a customized WW2 PT boat and they have really loud engines, and push quite a bow wave if not on a plane, especially when revved! I doubt he heard my calls on the radio but I also doubt if it would have had a different result. The second incident was a large motor yacht that was making a very large bow and wake wave also, and seemed to have no awareness of it. He was on his flybridge but didn't hear or choose to respond to my call afterward. Later when I stopped for the evening at a marina, I saw his boat docked in the marina, too. So I walked over to his slip and knocked on his hull. He eventually came out and when I explained why I was there, he acted indignant. I stayed civil and he eventually apologized. Fine, as long as he doesn't repeat himself as they most often do. Keep up your good work.

[@danielcarmack2099]

Great content. Should you always go at "slow speed" when driving under a bridge>

[@r7boatguy]

Many are signed as No Wake 100' either side of the bridge. But I've seen 50+' boats on the ICW around Fort Lauderdale go plowing through the raised bridge with no regard to that or any other vessel!

[@fishead6384]

I very inexperienced with boating so at the big bridge do you have to pass through the center or could you pass through under any section especially in a smaller boat

[@samuelhunter9410]

Great video! Are there governing bodies such as USCG or local LE that investigates collisions on the water and determines fault?

[@jesvans]

you didn't do the channel markers, this is where i need more advising.

[@-shadyG]

Good video inland rules vs international COLREGs vs great lakes rules vs Russian rules.. lol Dont be afraid to use the radio when things get confusing!

[@3ricFritz]

CAPT 2:46-2:56, I would review right of way. Seaplanes giveaway to Powerboats, fishing and sailboats.

[@WilReid]

The Navy and CG definitely don't follow these perfectly. More like the bloopers at the end. We've nearly been run over by a ship trying to overtake us at 50 mph coming through a pass. They never slowed down a bit and just expected us to get out of their way. Maybe it expected us to go under them since it was a Spearhead class or similar massive catamaran.

[@dreed7312]

Great video. In practice I almost always give the other boat the right of way unless I'm sure it's safe to do otherwise. Assume they are not paying attention, don't know the rules, or are intellectually challenged.

[@hybrid.roodragon1226]

Sailboats are usually yielded to. Jetskies need to be careful and treat their jet boats as BOATS. They may be personal 'toys' but rules are rules and they are to keep you safe

[@hybrid.roodragon1226]

I commented this way before they said it. Im still glad I know things😂

[@hybrid.roodragon1226]

Funfact: you are not allowed within 100 meters of a navy vessel. They have the right to blast you out of the water at a moments notice😅.

[@michiganengineer8621]

A good rule of thumb I suspect is: The vessel with less maneuverability/power has RoW

[@salizabeth1115]

Constrained by draft is not defined in US inland waters, but yea, generally speaking little guys stay away out of the big guys way. Tonnage rules.

[@runingblackbear]

They give you boating rules from the state your in try reading it

[@NYHalfassprepper]

You have it wrong, seaplanes give way to all other vessels. Rule 18 (d) A seaplane on the water shall, in general, keep well clear of all vessels and avoid impeding their navigation. In circumstances, however, where risk of collision exists, she shall comply with the Rules of this Part.

[@bradwilliams5242]

Maybe that is the only thing they don’t know who knows

[@hectordelacruz5365]

Correct!

[@fishhunt9874]

Very good information for new boaters and those who are boating in new unfamiliar areas. You left out one of the hierarchy scenarios, vessels under tow. Could be a tug towing a barge or one vessel towing a disabled vessel. Also in the overtaking scenario. If you are going to overtake (pass move ahead of) another vessel especially at night you are required to sound 1 horn blast if you’re passing on their Starboard side. You must sound 2 horn blasts if you are passing on their port side🤙🏼

[@NYHalfassprepper]

@@fishhunt9874 Tug and tows do not get any privilege under the rules we are power driven vessels, but proper ID of a tug towing astern could save your life. Many boaters have lost their lives over the years by trying to pass between the tug and the tow.

[@chiphill4856]

Pretty sure the scenario these young ladies are describing is risk of collision in 4-19. A seaplane has very little ability to maneuver, which means vessels must give way in a meeting situation. Rule 18e is stating that a seaplane shouldn't take off in the middle of a crowded waterway. The Twins have it correct.

[@BradleyBellwether-oy2qi]

The vessel overtaking them properly is proof that even though you look like a Googan with your fenders flapping in the breeze while underway. You don't have to actually drive like a Googan. Lol

[@tward9153]

New, reels, catch, fish, so, purchase, some, Wednesday/ NUC, RIM, CBD (INT only), FISHING (COMMERCIAL), SAILING, POWER, SEA PLANE, WIG. You have a few other mistakes mixing up international and inland rules as well as some Western River rules. You may want to pull this down correct ad repost. Not many people really know the ColRegs so you are providing a great service once corrected.

[@salizabeth1115]

I agree. They’re great captains with a lot of knowledge to share. I know they’re very capable and I love their content, but they do have a couple of rules confused in this video. I wanted to also mention the rule about the direction of the current only applies to Western rivers. They probably haven’t had to test on the little specifics of Colregs in quite a while. I agree, I think maybe they should remake this video. Hopefully nobody trying to get licensed uses this as a study guide. A lot of good practical advice for new boaters though.

[@hectordelacruz5365]

Vessel constrained by draft is an international rule only, not inland

[@scott5647]

Very clear and useful! Graphics/real situations blended perfectly!😀😀

[@hamidhussain572]

Your method of teaching is excellent ❤

[@QSSCEO]

So much knowledge that all boaters need to know... I love the bloopers...lol

[@user-kh6lt4md7h]

If you’re in a sailboat, a enter console or a fishing yacht and you see a Guided Missile Frigate coming down the channel, just get out of the way. The sea lawyers can’t help you much when you’re on the bottom.

[@-shadyG]

Not really. Good way for the frigate capt to be relieved of command.

[@user-vk3sx1wz3c]

You ladies are fabulous

[@KaptainKevin]

The Fishing boat description isn’t accurate

[@firestomper247]

Rule 18… seaplanes give way to all vessels …..

[@Glaciershark]

Nobody pays any attention to the rules in Alaska

[@rjwintl]

back in the day , before everyone had a horn , the faster boat slowed down to a slower boat , especially a slow moving sailboat because of , believe it or not , out of common courtesy … sadly lacking on 21st century waterways !!!

[@stephenmaher2265]

Who picked the colors?(coin toss)

[@Rob23x]

What if I was diving and a fishing vessel coming towards me is coming and I can’t move fast enough to get divers up… what do I do ?

[@capnrik6397]

And on top of that your speed of speech is on rapid fire....

[@capnrik6397]

Everytime i hear someone try to explain the rules using their own words to explain what the rules mean i cringe....

[@RH421939]

Nobody follows the rules on the water

[@NYHalfassprepper]

Nobody in pleasure boats follows the rules because they are not trained. Us professional mariners have to follow the rules and take great pride in doing so.

[@rjwintl]

@@NYHalfassprepper… exactly

[@RH421939]

The biggest dickhead and unsafe move I ever seen pulled by a boat operator was the captain of a very popular fishing party boat in Brielle New Jersey. But as far as pleasure boaters usually 9 out of 10 of them have no respect or clue what they are doing