| Sailing on the seas or racing on water can be thrilling. | | | | maintain a safe speed of your boat so that it is easy |
| Nevertheless, you should observe and follow specific | | | | to maintain control of your vessel.o Keep a proper |
| rules and regulations to ensure safety of all at sea. | | | | lookout for sight and hearing to prevent any possible |
| Fundamental rules of sailing include:o International | | | | collisions. Make use of your common sense if faced |
| Maritime Organization has devised specific rules like | | | | with a dangerous collision situation.o While overtaking |
| International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at | | | | another vessel, you should stay away from the path |
| Sea (COLREGS). These rules apply to all shipping | | | | of the vessel and thereby try to overtake. Rather, you |
| vessels irrespective of their size and type.o | | | | should never come into the path of a sailing vessel.o If |
| International Association of Lighthouse Authorities or | | | | two sailboats are approaching each other with wind on |
| IALA has set standards for lights, lateral marks, | | | | different sides of the boat, sailboat with port tack |
| buoyage, signals, and rules for safe navigation.o Safety | | | | should give way to boat with starboard tack. Port tack |
| of Life at Sea or SOLAS specifies essential safety | | | | means having wind on your port side. Your port side |
| equipment and procedures to be adopted in | | | | refers to left-hand side of your boat if you are facing |
| emergencies. These rules are specifically in | | | | the front.o If two boats are on the verge of collision |
| accordance to the size and sailing range of boats. All | | | | and all safety measures have failed, basic sailing rules |
| boat owners and operators should adhere to all such | | | | indicate if other boat is on your starboard side, you |
| safety regulations.o International Sailing Federation has | | | | should give way to that boat. Starboard side refers to |
| prescribed specific rules racing vessels should adhere | | | | right-hand side of your boat if facing the front.o If two |
| to in a race. These are general rules and are exclusive | | | | boats are approaching each other with wind on the |
| of rules as set by the organization running the event | | | | same side of each, windward boat should give way to |
| and any other national governing body. If during the | | | | leeward boat. Windward side refers to boat sailing in |
| course of your race, you encounter a non-racing boat, | | | | direction of the wind while leeward side refers to boat |
| you should follow regulations as set by International | | | | sailing against direction of the wind.o If during sailing, you |
| Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. Normally, | | | | come across a boat that has restricted |
| ordinary sailing boats or fleet do not come in the way | | | | maneuverability or is not under command, you should |
| of a racing boat. Similarly, sailing boats should give way | | | | give way to that boat and allow it to pass.o When |
| to diver's boats and fishing vessels.o All racing boats | | | | passing through a narrow channel, you should sail as |
| should primarily adhere to all rules as specified by | | | | close to the outer edge as possible.o Normal sailing |
| International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at | | | | instructions indicate that sailing vessels should not |
| Sea (COLREGS) after sunset. Thereafter, they should | | | | come into the path of large vessels or ferryboats. |
| also follow Racing Rules of Sailing. Sailing Rules and | | | | These boats find it difficult to change direction abruptly |
| Instructions The basic rules to be followed while sailing | | | | and could require substantial time in doing so. |
| or racing on seas are those set by International | | | | Therefore, noncommercial powerboats normally give |
| Regulations for Avoiding Collisions at Sea.o Always, | | | | way to sailing vessels. |