To all vessels upon the inland waters of the United States and to vessels of the United States on the Canadian waters of the Great Lakes to the extent that there is no conflict with Canadian law

Rule 3

any vessel that THROUGH SOME EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES is unable to comply with the rules

Vessel restricted in maneuverability (Rule 3)

when one vessel can be observed by the other

Risk of Collision

all available means shall be used to determine if risk of collision exists, if in doubt, assume that it does; use radar; don't assume if info is limited, especially scanty radar information

Action to avoind collision

positive, made in ample time, with due regard to rules of good semanship, readily apparent

Sailing vessels

right of way:

wind on starboard, leeward

Rule 13

Overtaking

right of way:

vessel being overtaken

Head on situation

pass port to port

crossing situation

right of way: vessel on starboard (see green, go)

inland rules only: vessel crossing river keeps out of way

Responsiibilities between vessels

right of way order:

not under command, restricted in ability to maneuver, constrained by draft (int'l only), vessel engaged in fishing, sailing vessel, power-driven vessel, seaplane (except where other rules take over)

COnduct of cessels in restricted visibility

safe speed, be careful, etc

Lights and shapes

complied with in all weather; lights on sunset to sunrise and restricted visibility; shapes by day

Definitions of lights

green, from 000R to 22.5 abaft of beam STBD

stern light

flashing light

air cushion vessel- non-displacement mode

masthead, side, stern and flashing lights

lighting of sailing vessels underway and vessels under oars

(red over green, sailing machine)

lighting of fishing and trawling vessels underway and making way

(green over white, trawling at night)

(red over white, fishin at night)

lighting of vessels not under command (red over red, captians dead) or restricted in ability to maneuver (red over white over red) (green over green over green is mine sweeping)

lighting of vessels constrained by draft (red over red over red) or piloting vissels (white over red) 

Anchored vessels

one all around whit light where seen best

>50m one forward and one aft

>100m must illuminate decks with lights

sounds definitions

whistle- described by blasts

short blast- 1 second

prolonged blast- 4-6 sec

equipment for sound signals

less than 12m- some means of making sound

12m<vessel<100m whistle and bell

vessel >100m whistle, bell, gong

Maneuvering and warning signals

one short- port side

two short- stbd side

three short- operation astern propulsion (going backward)

IF agree- same signal back

if not agree- 5 short

signals in restricted visibility

making way- one prolonged, NMT 2 min interval

not making way- two prolonged NMT 2 min interval

signals to attract attention

make signal not in rules

distress signals

red star shells

black ball and square in orange

dye marker

radio telegraph

fog horn
SOS