MasterCraft 2009 MariStar X-Series Benutzerhandbuch

If you are passing another vessel, you are the give-way vessel. 

This means that the other vessel is expected to 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 are the 

stand-on vessel, and you should maintain your speed and direc-

tion so that the vessel can be steered around you.

There are additional rules to remember when operating your 

boat around other vessels, such as:

•  When navigating in narrow channels, you should keep to the 

right when it is safe and practical to do so.

•  When preparing to go around a bend that may obstruct your 

view of other water vessels, you should sound a prolonged 

blast on the horn or with a whistle for four (4) to six (6) 

seconds. Even if no reply is heard, you should still proceed 

around the bend with caution.

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.

Under international rules, all vessels that 

are fishing with nets, lines or trawls are 

considered to be fishing vessels; however, 

boats with trolling lines are not consid-

ered fishing vessels.

Fishing vessels have the right of way, 

regardless of position, but these vessels 

cannot impede the passage of other ves-

sels in narrow channels.

The waters of the United States are 

marked for safe navigation by the lateral 

system of buoyage. The markers and 

buoys you encounter will have an ar-

rangement 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 a seaward direction while the boater is 

going toward the port. Red buoys are passed on the starboard 

(right) side when proceeding from open water into port, and 

green buoys are passed on the port (left) side. When navigating 

out of port, your position to the buoys should be reversed: red 

buoys to port (left) and green buoys to starboard (right). 

Many 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 advi-

sory information. These markers are white with black letters and 

orange borders. The information signifies speed zones, restricted 

areas, danger areas and general information.