Navigation Rules

Cardinal marks indicate direction relative to a hazard (north, south, east, west), while lateral ...

The skill of interpreting nautical charts, including water depth (soundings), contours, and navig...

Inland rules apply in many U.S. domestic waters, while international rules govern seaward of spec...

Boating rules set by the US Coast Guard or other federal entities (e.g., EPA for marine pollution...

When obstructions (bridge walls, large vessels) block your view of approaching traffic or hazards...

The highest-priority distress signal via radio, indicating imminent danger to vessel or crew; mus...

A cord attaching the operator to a PWC or boat’s ignition, designed to stop the engine if the ope...

Procedures for entering and exiting navigation locks near dams; boaters must follow lockmaster in...

The arrangement of lateral or non-lateral buoys indicating safe channels, hazards, or controlled ...

The boat required to alter course or slow down to avoid a collision with a stand-on vessel under ...

Horns, whistles, or bells used to communicate maneuvers (e.g., passing signals), signal distress,...

Under most navigation rules, a sailing vessel has right-of-way over a power-driven vessel unless ...

State or local law enforcement units patrolling waterways to enforce safety regulations, check re...

Non-governmental markers (e.g., placed by yacht clubs or marinas) that must be approved by the Co...

Individual lessons within an online boater course, covering topics like navigation aids, life jac...

Specific handling techniques for multi-hulled vessels, often more stable at rest but requiring ca...

Elevated fixtures providing deck illumination on sailboats or larger craft. Boater ed warns of gl...

Navigation lights (red and green sidelights, white sternlight, and masthead light) must be used f...

Strategies to prevent accidents, including early course changes, clear signals, and adherence to ...

Structures or markers (e.g., lighthouses, range lights) guiding boaters through safe channels or ...

A solid yellow flag historically used to indicate a vessel must clear customs/health inspections;...

Areas where boaters must minimize wake (e.g., “No Wake” or “Slow Speed” zones) near docks, swimmi...

Buoys or daymarks indicating the edges of safe water (red-right-returning vs. green-left-returnin...

Basics of operating a sailboat, including tacking, jibing, and reading wind direction; often cove...

Buoys and signs that provide navigation guidance (e.g., regulatory markers, channel markers, haza...

A transponder broadcasting a vessel’s position, speed, and course to other ships and coastal stat...

(To appear in later parts) The process of anchoring or tying up to a buoy/dock for extended stays...

A red flag with a white diagonal stripe (in the U.S.) that indicates divers are below the surface...

Best practices for reducing wake near other boats, shorelines, or docks to prevent property damag...

Methods (flares, flags, sound-making devices, electronic signals) to alert others of an emergency...

The categorization of boats by length or type (e.g., Class A: less than 16 ft, Class 1: 16–26 ft)...

Small, privately operated submarines or submersibles requiring specialized training and abiding b...

Certain areas near dams, power plants, or military bases may be off-limits or heavily regulated f...

In a crossing or meeting situation, the boat that must maintain its course and speed while the ot...

A marine radio used for communicating with other vessels, marinas, and the Coast Guard; used for ...

Federal and state guidelines require maintaining safe distances (often 100 yards or more) from wh...

A velocity that allows adequate time to avoid collisions, considering visibility, traffic density...

A device indicating heading relative to magnetic north, essential for navigation in open water or...

An electronic device that detects objects or landmasses around a vessel by bouncing radio waves o...