Lookout, safe speed and who gives way

Meet Ben. He's twenty-four, crossing a wide stretch of the river in his runabout on a bright afternoon. Off to his right, another power boat is closing. It keeps getting bigger, but it sits in exactly the same spot beside his windshield post. Ben figures the other guy will move.

So here's the question. Is Ben heading for a collision, and whose job is it to get out of the way?

The answer is in the Collision Regulations, Canada's version of the international rules of the road. Rule five says keep a proper lookout at all times, by sight, hearing and every other means you have. Rule six says go at a safe speed, one that lets you avoid a collision and stop in time, given visibility, traffic, your boat, wind, current, hazards and depth.

Rule seven is the one Ben needs. If an approaching boat stays on the same compass bearing, the same direction from you, while it gets closer, risk of collision is deemed to exist. It can exist even when the bearing changes a little, especially with a big ship, a tow, or at close range. If you're in doubt, assume the risk is real.

Now, who moves? When two power boats cross, the one that has the other on its own starboard side, its right, keeps out of the way and avoids crossing ahead. That's Ben, the give-way vessel. The other boat is the stand-on vessel, holding its course and speed. Rule eight says Ben acts early and big enough to be obvious: he turns clearly to starboard, slows, or both, and passes behind.

Two more meetings. Head-on, both power boats turn to starboard and pass port to port, left side to left side. Overtaking, the boat coming up from behind keeps clear until it's finally past, even if it's a sailboat passing a power boat. In doubt, assume head-on. In doubt, assume you're overtaking.

Then the pecking order, in Rule eighteen. A power boat keeps out of the way of a vessel not under command, one restricted in her ability to manoeuvre by her work, one engaged in fishing with nets or gear that limit her movement, and a sailboat under sail. Trolling doesn't count as fishing, and a sailboat running its motor counts as a power boat.

Standing on isn't a free pass. Rule two says you must depart from the rules when that's needed to avoid immediate danger. The stand-on boat may act once it's clear the other boat isn't acting, and must act when the give-way boat can't avoid a collision alone. Transport Canada's guide says take early action, even if you have the right of way.

On the water. In the Thousand Islands, boats come out from behind islands with little warning. So I look all around, behind me too, and I keep the music low enough to hear a horn. Rule five says sight and hearing, and hearing counts.

Let's change one fact. The boat on Ben's right is a sailboat under sail. Ben still gives way, because power keeps clear of sail. Now put that sailboat on Ben's left, with its motor running. It's a power-driven vessel now, and it has Ben on its starboard side, so it gives way and Ben stands on. Same water, different answer.

The mistake boaters make is assuming the other boat will move, or making a string of tiny course changes the other skipper can't read. Decide early, then turn like you mean it.

Here's the rule, in one breath. Keep a lookout, go at a safe speed, and if the bearing isn't changing, the boat with the other on its right gives way, early and obviously.

This week, watch boats as they meet and call each one give-way or stand-on. Next time, lights at night and signals in fog.