Today we further explore more of the RULES OF THE ROAD.

It is important to know when a vessel is UNDERWAY.

Any vessel that is not at anchor, made fast to the shore or aground is considered UNDERWAY.

Here are several examples.

If your vessel is just drifting along even with the engine cut off. Or if you are fishing and hauling in your nets with the engine cut off.

Another important thing to remember is when you are IN SIGHT of another vessel. It is real simple. It is when your vessel can be OBSERVED VISUALLY from another vessel. So if there is a dense fog it is most likely you are NOT going to be IN SIGHT of another vessel. So this is creating what the RULES declare as RESTRICTED VISIBILITY. It could be a heavy rain or even a larger vessel blocking a smaller vessel.

This is a time when good radar or having a person at the bow is extremely important!

More in next post!

Hugh Simpson

Valentine International LLC