PWC Insurance, Safety Waterway Crossing Tips
When motorboats are in sight of one another and meeting or crossing at a distance within half a mile of each other, each vessel shall indicate its intended maneuver with the following signals: one short blast – I intend to leave you on my port side, or two short blasts – I intend to leave you on my starboard side, or three short blasts – I am operating astern propulsion.
Upon hearing the one- or two-blast signal, the other vessel shall, if in agreement, sound the same signal and take steps to effect a safe passing. If the proposed maneuver is unsafe, the danger signal (five or more short and rapid blasts) should be sounded and each vessel shall take appropriate action until a safe passing agreement is made. When meeting head-on, or nearly so, either vessel shall signal its intention with one short blast which the other vessel shall answer promptly.
Both vessels should alter their course to starboard (right) so that each will pass to the port (left) side of each other. When crossing, the vessel which has the other on the starboard (right) side shall keep out of the way and avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel. The give-way vessel, the vessel directed to keep out of the way, shall take early and substantial action to keep well clear of the other vessel (stand-on vessel).
This latter vessel should hold course and speed. However, it may, as the stand-on vessel, take action to avoid collision by maneuvering as soon as it becomes apparent that the vessel required to keep out of the way is not taking appropriate action.
