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Port Tack Starboard Tack |
TERMS There is some nautical terminology, relating to rules of the road under sail that are also very important. The "stand-on" vessel is the boat that has the right to hold its course in any given situation. The "give-way" vessel, conversely, is obligated to change its course or stay clear of the stand-on vessel. The definition of the terms windward and leeward are also important. "Windward" refers to the direction from which the wind is coming. The windward side of the boat is the side nearest to the wind. "Leeward" is farthest from the wind. The Leeward side of the boat is the side farthest from the wind, usually on a sailboat the side the boom is on. A "port tack" is when the wind is coming over the port side
of the boat, which usually means the sails are set (hanging over) on the
starboard side. Conversely a "starboard tack" is when the wind
is coming over the starboard side of the boat and the sails are set on
the port side |
RULES The following rules apply when sailboats meet each other: APPROACHING ANOTHER SAIL BOAT |
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A boat on port tack must give way to a boat on starboard tack |
A boat to windward shall give way to a leeward boat when on the same tack. |
A boat overtaking another boat must give way to the boat ahead. (The boat that is being overtaken does not have to move or change course.)
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A boat that is changing course by jibing or tacking shall give way to a boat continuing on course. |
APPROACHING A POWER VESSEL In most circumstances sailboats have right-of-way over powerboats. There are, however, a few exceptions. They are: If a sailboat is overtaking another boat, even if the boat being overtaken
is a powerboat, the boat being overtaken has the right-of-way.
click for demonstration Commercial fishing boats, while in the act of fishing, most not be interfered
with. Sailboats may not hamper the progress of a ship under power in a narrow
channel or confined area. |
SAFETY CONCERNS 
No matter who has the right of way it is the duty of all skippers to
take whatever action is necessary to avoid a collision. Just because you
have the right does not mean you can take the right if it will lead to
a collision. When you approach another boat and you have the right of way, it is common practice to yell "starboard" especially if you think the other boat has not seen you. Yelling "starboard" signifies that you are assuming that both boats know you have the right of way. Red and green buoys mark most marine areas close to shore, especially channels. It is hard for new sailors to remember what side of a buoy they should be on. The easy way for new sailors is to remember the phrase, "RED RIGHT RETURN". All red buoys should be on the right side of the boat when returning to port, with green on the left. Conversely, on the way out of port, the red buoys are on the left and the green on the right. |
If
you were the only boat on the water there would be little need for rules
regarding right- of-way. However, when there are two or more boats in
the same area, rules are used for safe operation. There are also a number
of precautions to be taken so that accidents do not happen.