The straightforward solution to how to pass a fishing boat is a long one. All boaters are required by the rules of water to take precautions to avoid a collision. Powerboats must yield to fishing boats with equipment in the water in the hierarchy of rights-of-way.
Rules of the Water
According to the most recent data, over 50 million Americans went fishing in 2017. Proper boater education is critical to avoid run-ins with fishing boats since almost half of the shoreline fish are caught from the water.
The distinction between boating and driving is that there isn’t a set right-of-way like you would follow when driving. Instead, there are set standards and norms that you must follow. Different rules apply to international and inland seas. There are also several regulations that pertain to waterways, such as the Great Lakes. It’s your duty as the skipper of a boat to be familiar with them.
Boat Pecking Order
The degree of control each captain has over their boat determines how they approach and pass each other. An example would be a powered boat over a sailboat. This is how the priorities for each of them are determined from lowest to highest:
- Sailboats
- Fishing boats
- Vessels affected by drift
- Boats with limited maneuverability
- Unmanned vessels
- Boats passing by each other
However, fishing boats appear to have an unquestionable right-of-way over overpowered vessels. This rule does not apply to those who are just trolling. If so, they must follow the same regulations as the latter to ensure that neither boater is forced to look at new boat pricing.
Rules of Navigation
When it comes to how to maneuver a fishing boat, you should first understand the boat first. The hull is the body. The bows are on top. Port is to the left. Starboard is to the right. The stern of a ship is its rear end.
When two boats come into proximity of one another, the give-way boat is the one that goes first. The stand-on boat, on the other hand, maintains its position. Signaling his intentions to the boater if he is going to change direction or stop, the pilot avoids a collision while yielding to the other. This is the individual who is taking the lead over the other. You must also inform the other of his activities and take precautions to prevent a catastrophe.
When Crossing a Fishing Boat
If the boaters are not fishing, they are simply another powered boat on the water. If the two boats run into one another, there are set regulations for how to pass by one another. That’s when having a basic understanding of the boat’s components comes in handy. The boat on the right, or starboard, side when passing another is known as the “stand-on” boat. This is because that boat has the most unobstructed view of the two.
Safely Crossing a Fishing Boat
In this case, it’s preferable for each vessel to pass on the starboard side. You must maintain a safe distance away from the other boat as well as use appropriate protection. It’s also critical to keep a safe speed while passing one another, especially if the two personal watercrafts are different sizes.
Fishing boats often have a smaller freeboard. The distance from the gunwale or upper edge of the hull to the water’s surface is known as “waterline length.” The water will be thrown to the other when a boat passes by, creating a large wake and potentially flooding the environment. It’s not a formal regulation, but rather boating matters.
Special Cases
There are also navigation rules that apply to special circumstances where you may need to know how to go about passing a fishing boat. This can include the time of day or the type of boat you are captaining.
Boating at Night
There are two front lights on the boat, one red and one white. The left light is always red. By recalling that the port is the same hue as the side and has four letters like the name, you may remember it. The left or starboard one is always green. On the back or stern of your boat, you’ll notice a white light. You’ll know whether it’s heading north, west, or south based on the information above.
Narrow Passage
If you encounter a fishing boat in a narrow passage, you must steer to the right, like if you were on the road. If the width is too restricted for you to pass side-by-side, let larger vessels go by. It’s uncommon for a fishing boat to anchor in a canal, regardless of the bite.
Using a Sailboat
Because of the maneuverability limitations, sailboats have the superior right-of-way. The exception is boats without power. It’s not unusual to see them using old outboard motors to help them enter and dock their boats.
Other Rules to be Aware of
Many of these regulations are simply common sense. A boat that is moored always has the right of way to keep a safe distance away from them. Ships and other watercraft may be anchored or moored. The last thing you want is a line circling your boat’s propeller.
It’s also mindful of everyone else’s usage of the water. A large blast or buzzing the fishing boat interferes with their fun and safety. The US Coast Guard claims that there were almost 4,300 boating incidents in 2017, 15% of these involved fishing vessels.
Boating and fishing may be a lot of fun. But whether you’re casting a line from the beach or anchored in your favorite location, it’s important to practice safe boating. Also keep in mind that boaters, especially those on a boat with an AIS transponder, are obligated to assist and protect other boaters.
A final word of advice related to boating is to think about or invest in boat insurance. In the event a passing doesn’t go right, you’ll want to be protected against liability and damages costs. Even in cases of theft, you can be protected with the right policy for your boat. Consult an online quote calculator to find out more and how much it may cost to insure your boat.