The USCG book, Navigation Rules – International/Inland, explains nautical rules of the road and every boat over 39 ft long must have a copy onboard. Smaller boats ought to. There are two sets of rules: Inland Rules (formally the U.S. Inland Navigation Rules in 33 CFR 83), and International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS). The point where one set of rules supplants the other is the COLREGS demarcation line, marked on charts.
When Two
Boats Meet
When two boats meet, one will have right of way and is the stand-on boat. Generally the stand-on boat must stay on course. The other boat must alter course and pass behind the stand-on boat. This is the give-way or burdened boat. Its course change should be large enough to be clearly noticeable. For sailboats, five basic rules will handle most situations.- The boat on starboard tack is the stand-on boat. The boat on port tack is burdened and must fall off to pass behind.
- If both boats are on the same tack, the leeward boat is the stand-on boat. The windward boat is burdened and must give way to pass behind.
- When one boat overtakes another, the faster boat coming up behind is burdened and must stay clear on either side. The slower boat in front should hold its course.
- When a powered boat nears a boat under sail, the motoring boat is burdened, even if it has canvas up, and must give way to the sailing boat. But don’t count on this always happening. Everyone must give way to boats being paddled or rowed.
- Commercial vessels always have right of way, as do boats engaged in fishing, even if for sport. Give any commercial vessel a wide berth because often they cannot change course easily, if at all, and they are moving faster than you might think.
When a Boat
Ignores
the Rules
Sometimes it will seem that a burdened boat is ignoring the rules. During a race, it might be good to shout “starboard” or “leeward” to remind them that you have right of way. At other times, instead make a dramatic change of course that sends you well away from the other boat and in the direction opposite to which they ought to be steering. When the stand-on boat makes a course change, it should never be a small one that might go unnoticed.Homeland
Security Rules
The recent emphasis on homeland security has evoked new rules for sailors and a policy of quick, determined and severe response to violators. Never approach any naval vessel, as doing so is a felony offence with a 6-figure fine. If you must pass close by one, contact them on channel 16 and follow their instructions while always maintaining forward speed.Avoid, also, cruise line ships and commercial ships, especially those that might carry flammable products. Avoid commercial ports, especially fuel depots, and any security zone (e.g., near a dam, power plant, etc) marked on a chart. Do not anchor, nor even stop, beneath a bridge or in a commercial channel. If circumstances require you to break one of these rules, expect to be boarded by armed agents.
USCG
Documented
vs State Titled
Ownership of a boat (ie, the title) can be established by documenting it with the USCG, where you have a name and hailing port on the transom and carry a certificate of documentation onboard, or by titling and registering it with a state or the District of Columbia, where you have a number on both sides of the hull forward. A documented boat must also be registered and stickered in some states, as proof that the taxes were paid, but not in others. The registration can be transferred without paying additional tax in some states but not others. A documented boat thus sometimes has a state registration but never has a state title and never bears a registration number.Advantages of documentation versus titling include the one-time fee, after which annual updates are almost free. Also, documentation provides a permanent record of liens and owners that stays with the boat and can make it simpler to sell. Foreign countries do not recognize state registrations, whereas being USCG documented means that the boat is US flagged and entitled to certain legal rights and protections when in foreign waters, such as aid from the US Consulate. To be documented, a boat must exceed five tons displacement (with some exceptions) and be majority owned by a US citizen.
Lately a private company has been mailing out renewal notices for certificates of documentation. They look official, but are not. It is a service that you must pay for. Meanwhile, the USCG recently stopped mailing out renewal notices. Check the return address: If it is Falling Waters, VA, you are dealing with the USCG. If not, you probably aren’t.
Foreign
Ports
When a private sailboat enters a foreign country, the skipper must normally clear the vessel, crew and passengers through customs and immigration at an authorized port of entry. Check the destination country’s current requirements. Many now require an online arrival notice or cruising permit application before arrival. Carry:- Passports for everyone aboard
- Vessel registration or USCG Certificate of Documentation
- Crew and passenger list
- Clearance, or zarpe, from the last port of call, if required
- Proof of boat insurance
- Radio license and operator permit where required
- Pet vaccination and import documents
- Prescriptions for medicines
- List of firearms, alcohol, tobacco, food, plants and meat aboard.
When arriving:
- Sail to an authorized port of entry. Do not anchor elsewhere or visit another harbor first unless weather or safety requires it.
- Contact port control, the harbormaster or customs by VHF—often Channel 16 at first—and follow their instructions.
- Hoist the solid yellow Q flag at the starboard spreader. It means, “My vessel is healthy, and I request free pratique.”
- Fly the destination country’s courtesy flag above the Q flag. Continue flying your own ensign at the stern.
- No one should leave the boat except the skipper and only when specifically permitted.
- Do not take trash, food, animals or gear ashore.
- Do not allow visitors aboard.
- Do not begin fishing, diving or other recreational activity.
Some countries have the skipper go directly to the customs office. Others want everyone to remain aboard until officials arrive. The skipper generally visits some combination of:
Customs — to declare the vessel, stores, firearms, alcohol, tobacco and restricted goods.
Immigration — to present passports, perhaps visas and the crew list.
Port authority or harbormaster — registers the boat and may collect fees.
Agriculture — examines food, plants, animals and garbage.
Cruising-permit office.
After completing clearance:
- Get stamped copies of documents or electronic confirmation.
- Get any cruising permit or temporary import document.
- Lower the Q flag. Continue flying the country’s courtesy flag while in its waters.
Many countries also require outbound clearance. The skipper reports to customs or the port authority, returns permits if required, pays outstanding fees and receives an exit clearance or zarpe (pronounced “sahr pay”). It might be needed at the next port of call.
The details vary quite a bit. For example, the Bahamas currently uses its electronic Click2Clear system for cruising permits, while the UK uses its Submit a Pleasure Craft Report service. Ask an AI or do some research online before setting out.