Navigation Rules

The nautical rules of the road are the traffic laws of the waterways and are legally binding for boat operators. These rules dictate the operator's course of action for avoiding collisions. The rules are summarized below.

Responsibility
(OAC 1501:47-2-02)
Nothing in these rules shall exonerate any vessel, operator, owner, master or crew from the consequences of

• neglect to comply with these rules;
• neglect of any required precaution;
• special circumstances of the case.

In complying with the rules, due regard shall be given to all dangers of navigation and collision and to any special circumstances, including the limits of the vessels involved, which may make a departure from these rules necessary to avoid immediate danger.

Definitions
(OAC 1501:47-2-03)

• "Vessel" includes every description of watercraft, including nondisplacement craft and seaplanes, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on the water.
• "Power-driven vessel" means any vessel propelled by machinery, fuel, rockets, or similar device.
• "Sailing vessel" means any vessel under sail provided that all propelling machinery, if fitted, is not being used.
• "Vessel restricted in its ability to manuever" means a vessel which from the nature of its work is restricted in its ability to manuever and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel.
• "Underway" means that a vessel is not at anchor, or made fast to the shore or aground.
• "Vessel not under command" means a vessel which through some exceptional circumstance is unable to maneuver and to keep out of the way of another vessel.

Risk of Collision
(OAC 1501:47-2-07)
Every vessel shall use all available means appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions to determine if risk of collision exists. If in doubt, such risk shall exist.

Action to Avoid Collision
(OAC 1501:47-2-08)
Any action taken to avoid collision shall be positive, made in ample time and with due regard to good seamanship. Any alteration of course or speed shall be substantial to be readily apparent to another vessel observing visually or by radar. Action taken shall result in passing at a safe distance. If necessary to avoid collision, a vessel shall slacken speed, stop or reverse.

Proper Look-out Required
(OAC 1501:47-2-05)
Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision.

Safe Speed
(OAC 1501:47-2-06)
Every vessel shall proceed at a safe speed so that it can take proper and effective action to avoid collision and be stopped within a distance appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions.

In determining a safe speed the following factors shall be taken into account:

• Visibility
• Traffic density
• Maneuverability including stopping distance and turning ability in the prevailing conditions
• At night the presence of background light
• Wind, sea, current, and proximity of hazards
• Draft in relation to depth of water
• Additional factors for vessels with radar

Action by Give-Way Vessel
(OAC 1501:47-2-16)
Every vessel which is directed to keep out of the way of another vessel shall, so far as possible, take early and substantial action to keep well clear.

Action by Stand-On Vessel
(OAC 1501:47-2-17)
Where one of two vessels is to keep out of the way, the other shall keep its course and speed.

The latter vessel or the stand-on vessel may take action to avoid collision as soon as it becomes apparent the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action.

When the stand-on vessel finds itself so close that collision cannot be avoided by the give-way vessel alone, it shall take such action as will best aid to avoid collision.

A power-driven vessel which takes action to avoid collision with another power vessel shall not alter course to port for a vessel on its own port side.

Narrow Channels
(OAC 1501:47-2-09)

• A vessel in a narrow channel shall keep as near to the right side of the channel as is safe and practical.
• A power vessel proceeding downbound with a following current shall have right-of-way over an upbound vessel.
• Vessels less than 20 meters long, sailing vessels, vessels engaged in fishing, or vessels crossing the channel shall not impede passage of a vessel that can safely navigate only within a channel.
• Vessels shall avoid anchoring in narrow channels.
• An overtaking vessel shall indicate its intention by sounding the appropriate signal and take steps to permit safe passing. The overtaken vessel sounds the same signal if in agreement.
• A vessel nearing a bend or an area where vessels may be obscured by an obstruction shall navigate with caution and sound appropriate signals.
• Vessels leaving a dock, slip, tie-up or mooring shall yield the right-of-way to all vessels approaching.

Sailing Vessels
(OAC 1501:47-2-12)
When two sailing vessels are approaching one another with the wind on different sides, the vessel which has the wind on the port side shall keep out of the way of the other.

When both have the wind on the same side, the vessel which is to windward shall keep out of the way of the vessel which is to leeward.

If a vessel with the wind on the port side sees a vessel to windward (upwind) and cannot determine if its wind is on the port or starboard, the vessel shall keep out of the way of the other. The windward side is opposite the side on which the mainsail is carried.

Overtaking
(OAC 1501:47-2-13)
Any vessel overtaking another shall keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken.

Leave to port

Leave to starboard

The overtaking zone

Head-On Situation
(OAC 1501:47-2-14)
Unless otherwise agreed, when two power-driven vessels approach head-on, each shall alter course to starboard (right) and pass on the port (left) side of the other. A head-on situation exists by night if both red and green sidelights are visible. A vessel in doubt as to whether such a situation exists shall assume that it does and act accordingly.

Port to Port (preferred)

Leave to Starboard (if in agreement)

Crossing Situation
(OAC 1501:47-2-15)
When two power-driven vessels are crossing and risk of collision exists, the vessel which has the other on its starboard side shall keep out of the way and shall avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel.

A vessel crossing a river shall keep out of the way of a power-driven vessel ascending or descending the river.

Responsibilities Between Vessels
(OAC 1501:47-2-17)
Except for narrow channel and overtaking rules:

A power vessel underway shall keep out of the way of:

• A vessel not under command;
• A vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver;
• A vessel engaged in commercial fishing;
• A sailing vessel.

A sailing vessel underway shall keep out of the way of:

• A vessel not under command;
• A vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver;
• A vessel engaged in commercial fishing.

A vessel engaged in commercial fishing shall keep out of the way of:

• A vessel not under command;
• A vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver.