The rules of the road at sea

Giving way rules for motorboats

Keep to the right of the oncoming boat

When two motorboats steer towards each other, both must give way slightly to starboard in good time. The boats will then pass each other on the port (left) side.

Give way to boats from starboard

Motorboats must give way to other motorboats coming from starboard if the boats have a cutting course and there is a risk of collision, and the boat that is to give way must avoid going ahead of the other boat, if circumstances permit.

Motorboat gives way to sailboat

When a motorboat and a sailboat steer so that there is a risk of collision, the motorboat must give way. NB! A sailboat that runs on a motor is considered a motorboat, and it must then comply with the rules for motorboats.

Giving way rules between sailboats

Sailboat with the wind coming in from port gives way to sailboat with the wind coming in from starboard

When two sailboats get the wind in on different sides, the one who gets the wind in from the port side must give way to the other.

Pilot boat gives way to shelter boat

When two sailboats have the wind coming in from the same side, the boat that is "closest"  to the wind should give way to the other. Don't take the wind away from other sailors!

Other Yield Rules

The catching boat gives way to the boat that is being caught up.

A boat that catches up with another boat must give way to the one that is caught up. This also applies to a sailboat that catches up with a motorboat. If you have to overtake, choose the page that is farthest away from other traffic or countries. If you are in doubt about whether you are catching up or not, you should assume that you are.

Keep a good distance from commercial traffic.

Pleasure craft and open boats propelled by oars, sails or machinery shall as far as possible keep out of the way of larger vessels, scheduled ferries and other commercial traffic when they pass through narrow waters, a heavily trafficked lane or a port area.

Keep to starboard in narrow passages.

A boat sailing in a narrow channel or a narrow course shall keep to starboard, as close to the outer limit of the route or course as possible, when this can be done without danger.

Boats less than 20 meters and sailboats should not interfere with the passage of a large boat that can only go safely in a narrow path or a narrow course.

A fishing boat should not interfere with the passage of any other boat that goes in a narrow lane or a narrow course.

Keep a good distance from boats that cannot manoeuvre normally.

Both motorboats and sailboats must give way to boats that are fishing, that are not under command, or that have limited ability to manoeuvre.

This is just a small excerpt from the Rules of the Road at Sea. Click here to read the full regulation.