Basic Boating Rules (Rules Of The Road); Steering And Sailing Rules And Sound Signals; Rules When Encountering Vessels - Yamaha 8 Owner's Manual

starting engine. (except 2HP)
Do not touch or remove electrical parts
G
when starting or during operation.
Keep hands, hair, and clothes away
G
from flywheel and other rotating parts
while engine is running.
EMU25431
Label
EWM01300
WARNING
This engine is equipped with a neutral
G
starting device.
The engine will not start unless the shift
G
control is in neutral position.
EMU25500
Basic boating rules (Rules of
the road)
Just as there are rules which apply when you
are driving on streets and high ways, there
are waterway rules which apply when you
are driving your boat. These rules are used
internationally, and are also enforced by the
United States Coast Guard and local agen-
cies. You should be aware of these rules,
and follow them whenever you encounter
another vessel on the water.
Several sets of rules prevail according to
geographic location, but are all basically the
same as the International Rules of the Road.
The rules presented here in your Owner's
Manual are condensed, and have been pro-
vided for your convenience only. Consult
your local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or De-
partment of Motor Vehicles for a complete
set of rules governing the waters in which
you will be using your boat.
EMU25510
Steering and sailing rules and sound
signals
Whenever two vessels on the water meet
one another, one vessel has the right-of-
General information
way; it is called the "stand-on" vessel. The
vessel which does not have the right-of-way
is called the "give-way" or "burdened" vessel.
These rules determine which vessel has the
right-of-way, and what each vessel should
do.
Stand-on vessel
The vessel with the right-of-way has the duty
to continue its course and speed, except to
avoid an immediate collision. When you
maintain your direction and speed, the other
vessel will be able to determine how best to
avoid you.
Give-way vessel
The vessel which does not have the right-of-
way has the duty to take positive and timely
action to stay out of the way of the Stand-On
vessel. Normally, you should not cross in
front of the vessel with the right-of-way. You
should slow down or change directions brief-
ly and pass behind the other vessel. You
should always move in such a way that the
operator of the other vessel can see what
you are doing.
"The general prudential rule"
This rule is called Rule 2 in the International
Rules and says,
"In obeying and construing these rules due
regard shall be had to all dangers of naviga-
tion and collision, and to any special circum-
stances, which may render a departure from
the above rules necessary in order to avoid
immediate danger."
In other words, follow the standard rules ex-
cept when a collision will occur unless both
vessels try to avoid each other. If that is the
case, both vessels become "Give-Way" ves-
sels.
EMU25520

Rules when encountering vessels

There are three main situations which you
may encounter with other vessels which
4