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It is the Skipper's responsibility to ensure safety, which
includes knowing and understanding the rules that apply before
heading out on the water. If you have an accident, ignorance
of the law is not accepted as an excuse. Heavy fines and prison
are possible for breaches of maritime rules.
Lookout
You must keep a good lookout at all times. It is your responsibility
to stay alert for other boats, swimmers, dive boats, kayaks, hazards
and obstacles. Listen as well as look.
Speed
All boats must travel at a safe speed, taking into account
the amount of boat traffic in the area, weather conditions
and when visibility is affected by glare.
Specifically, you must not exceed a speed of 5 knots
(a fast walking speed) if you are;
- within 200 metres of the shore;
- within 200 metres of a boat displaying a divers flag;
- within 50 metres of any other boat;
- within 50 metres of a person swimming;
- on a power boat if any person has any part of their body
outside the rails or edge of the deck.
Unless very closely supervised by an older person, who is
in constant reach of the controls, you must be over the age
of 15 to operate any power boat which is capable of speed
exceeding 10 knots. This includes dinghies and PWCs.
When Two Boats Meet
When two boats are approaching each other, one has the right
of way and it is called the stand on boat.
The other boat is called the give way boat.
The give way boat must make an early
and obvious manoeuvre so there can be no
confusion.
The give way boat must pass astern of (behind)
the stand on boat, while the stand
on boat maintains the same course and speed.
Every boat that is overtaking
must give way. You are overtaking if you are approaching another
boat anywhere in a 135 degree sector at its stern.
In Channels and Harbours
- every boat must keep to the starboard (right) side of
any channel;
- inside a harbour (normally shown on the pilotage limit
on the chart) you must keep out of the way of any ship over
500 tons (which is about 50 metres in length);
- do not create a wake which causes unnecessary danger to
other boats or people;
- you must not anchor in a channel or anywhere that could
cause a danger to craft;
- all small craft must keep out of the way of larger vessels
which are restricted by the channel;
- stay 200 metres away from tankers, remember you can be
fined or prosecuted for breaking rules or bylaws.
When Power Meets Power
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- you must give way to another boat on your starboard
(right)
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- if you meet head on, both boats must turn to starboard
(right)
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When Things Go Wrong!
- if the give way boat does not appear to be giving way,
the stand on boat must take action. The stand on boat should
turn to starboard (right). If it turned to port it could
turn in to the path of the give way boat.
When Sail Meets Sail
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- when the wind is coming from different sides, the boat
with the wind on the port (left) side has to give way
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- if when both boats have the wind on the same side the
windward (upwind) boat has to give way
- special rules may apply between yachts competing in the
same race.
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When Power Meets Sail or a Boat being Rowed or Paddled
- the power boat gives way (unless the other boat is overtaking)
- a sailing boat has to give way to a special case power
boat, which displays certain lights or day shapes
- sailing boats should avoid sailing in a narrow channel.
They have to give way to power boats restricted by the channel.
Remember, you can be fined or prosecuted for breaking
rules or bylaws. |
