Specifications

maintain its course and speed.
You must stay out of its way as
you clear it, altering course and
speed as necessary.
Conversely, if you are being
passed by another vessel, you
should maintain your speed and direction so that the
vessel can steer itself around you.
OTHER SPECIAL SITUATIONS
There are other rules to always remember when driving
your boat around other vessels:
• When navigating in narrow channel, you should keep to
the right when it is safe and practical to do so.
• If the operator of a power-driven vessel is preparing to
go around a bend that may obstruct the view of other
water vessels, the operator should sound a prolonged
blast on the whistle or horn for four to six seconds.
• If another vessel is around the bend, it too should
sound the whistle or horn. Even if no reply is heard,
however, the vessel should still proceed around the
bend with caution.
SAILING VESSEL RIGHT-OF-WAY
Sailing vessels should normally be given the right-of-way.
The exceptions to this are:
• When the sailing vessel is overtaking the power-driven
vessel, the power-driven vessel has the right-of-way.
• Sailing vessels should keep clear of any fishing vessel.
• In a narrow channel, a sailing vessel should not hamper
the safe passage of a power-driven vessel that can
navigate only in such a channel.
FISHING VESSEL RIGHT-OF-WAY
All vessels that are fishing with nets, lines or trawls are
considered under international rules to be fishing vessels.
Boats with trolling lines are not considered fishing vessels.
Fishing vessels have the right-of-way, regardless of
position. But these vessels cannot impede the passage of
other vessels in narrow channels.
READING BUOYS AND OTHER MARKERS
The waters of the United States are marked for safe
navigation by the lateral system of buoyage. The markers
and buoys you will encounter have an arrangement of
shapes, colors, numbers and lights to show which side of
the buoy a boater should pass when navigating in a
particular direction.
The markings on these buoys are oriented from the
perspective of being entered from seaward while the
boater is going toward the port. This means that red buoys
are passed on the starboard (right) side when proceeding
from open water into port, and the green buoys are to the
port (left) side. When navigating out of port, your position to
the buoys should be reversed: red buoys to port and green
buoys to starboard.
Many boating bodies of water are entirely within the
boundaries of a single state. The Uniform State Waterway
Marking Systems have been devised for these waters. This
system uses buoys and signs with distinctive shapes and
colors to show regulatory or advisory information. These
markers are white with black letters and orange borders.
The information signifies speed zones, restricted areas,
danger areas and general information.
The markings on these buoys are oriented from the
perspective of being entered from seaward while the
boater is going toward the port. This means that
red buoys are passed on the starboard (right)
side when proceeding from open water into port,
and the green buoys are to the port (left) side.
When navigating out of port, your position to the
buoys should be reversed: red buoys to port and
green buoys to starboard.
Many boating bodies of water are entirely
within the boundaries of a single state. The
Uniform State Waterway Marking Systems have
been devised for these waters. This system
uses buoys and signs with distinctive shapes and
colors to show regulatory or advisory informa-
tion. These markers are white with black letters
and orange borders. The information signifies
speed zones, restricted areas, danger areas
and general information.
Remember: Markings may vary by geo-
graphic location. Always consult local boating
authorities before driving your boat in unfamil-
iar waters.
2006 MasterCraft Owners Manual–Page 3-2