Right of Way Rules for Boating: A Practical COLREGs Guide for Recreational Boaters

On the water, no boat ever simply "has the right of way." The navigation rules assign one boat as the give-way vessel, which must act early to keep clear, and the other as the stand-on vessel, which must hold its course and speed. Both still carry a duty to avoid collision. For recreational skippers, five situations cover almost every encounter: crossing, meeting head-on, overtaking, sail meeting power, and small boats meeting large ships in a channel.

The Basic Right-of-Way Rules for Recreational Boats

The rules for US waters come in two closely matching sets: the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) offshore, and the Inland Navigation Rules inside the COLREGS demarcation lines. The steering and sailing rules that decide who gives way are nearly identical in both. The ANS explainer on COLREGs covers the full structure of the rules.

Three principles sit underneath every scenario:

• Give-way vessel: takes early and substantial action, such as a clear course change, so the other skipper can see it happening.
• Stand-on vessel: keeps course and speed, but must act if the give-way vessel is clearly not doing so, and must act to avoid a collision that the give-way vessel alone can no longer prevent.
• Everyone: keeps a proper lookout at all times and travels at a safe speed for the conditions.

Quick reference: who gives way?

Sailboat vs Powerboat: Who Has the Right of Way?

Under Rule 18, a power-driven vessel keeps out of the way of a sailing vessel, and a sailing vessel keeps out of the way of a vessel not under command, a vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver, and a vessel engaged in fishing. That gives the familiar order of priority:

1. Vessel not under command
2. Vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver
3. Vessel engaged in fishing, meaning with nets, lines, or trawls that restrict maneuverability
4. Sailing vessel
5. Power-driven vessel

The order has important exceptions, set out in Rule 18:

• A sailboat with its engine running is a power-driven vessel, even with sails up.
• A sailboat overtaking a powerboat is the give-way vessel.
• In a narrow channel or traffic separation scheme, sailboats and boats under 20 meters must not impede a large vessel that can only navigate safely within the channel.
• A recreational boat trolling a line is not "engaged in fishing" in the rules' sense.

When two sailboats meet

Rule 12 decides between sailboats:

• On opposite tacks, the boat with the wind on its port side gives way.
• On the same tack, the windward boat gives way to the leeward boat.
• A port-tack boat that cannot tell which tack a windward boat is on gives way.

Crossing and Overtaking Situations

Three encounters account for most power-boat right-of-way decisions.

Crossing

When two power-driven boats cross, the one that sees the other on its starboard side is the give-way vessel. A simple memory aid is the navigation light it sees. A red sidelight, on the other boat's port side, means stop or give way. A green sidelight means the other boat should be giving way, so stand on while watching closely. The give-way boat should avoid crossing ahead.

Meeting head-on

When two power-driven boats approach bow to bow, or nearly so, both turn to starboard and pass port to port. If there is any doubt whether the situation is head-on, the rules say to assume it is.

Overtaking

A boat is overtaking when it approaches another from more than 22.5 degrees abaft the beam, the arc where only the other boat's sternlight would be visible at night. The overtaking boat keeps clear until it is well past and clear, even if the boats later turn into what looks like a crossing situation. In US inland waters, power-driven boats in sight of each other use sound signals to agree on the passing side. The ANS guide to boat sound signals explains each one.

Inland differences worth knowing

Two Inland Rules matter most to recreational boaters, from 33 CFR Part 83:

• On the Great Lakes, Western Rivers, and other designated waters, a power-driven vessel heading downbound with a following current has the right of way over an upbound vessel.
• Inland whistle signals announce intent, such as one short blast for "I intend to leave you on my port side," and the other vessel answers with the same signal to agree.

Common Right-of-Way Mistakes Recreational Boaters Make

Most near-misses come from a handful of habits:

• Assuming a sailboat always has right of way, including when motoring or overtaking.
• Making small, gradual course changes the other skipper cannot read. Action should be early and obvious.
• Holding course as the stand-on vessel all the way into a collision. The stand-on vessel must act when the give-way vessel clearly is not.
• Cutting across the bow of a ship or tug in a channel. Large vessels cannot stop or turn quickly and may lose sight of a small boat under the bow.
• Treating a constant bearing as harmless. If another boat's bearing stays steady while the distance closes, risk of collision exists.
• Running too fast for the conditions, especially at night, in fog, or in crowded anchorages.

Keep a Quick-Reference Guide Aboard

Under 33 CFR 83.01, the operator of every self-propelled vessel 12 meters (about 39 feet) or more must carry a copy of the Inland Navigation Rules on board. Smaller boats are not required to, but a guide within reach settles questions faster than memory does.

Options in the ANS range:

• USCG Navigation Rules and Regulations Handbook, the official International and Inland Rules in one volume, also listed in the USCG Navigation Rules collection
• The One-Minute Guide to the Nautical Rules of the Road, a compact guide that meets the carriage requirement for larger boats
• COLREG 2026 Edition, the IMO's consolidated text for boats heading offshore or abroad

Shop COLREGs Publications and Quick-Reference Guides

Right-of-way rules are simple once the give-way and stand-on roles are clear, and costly when they are guessed. A current rules handbook aboard and a habit of acting early prevent most close-quarters situations.

Shop COLREGs publications and quick-reference guides in the ANS USCG Navigation Rules collection, or contact ANS at +1 (954) 522-3321 or sales@amnautical.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a sailboat always have right of way over a powerboat?

No. A sailboat under sail is usually the stand-on vessel, but it gives way when it is overtaking, when it is motoring, when it meets a fishing vessel with gear out, and when it would impede a large vessel confined to a channel.

What should I do in a crossing situation with another vessel?

If the other boat is on the starboard side, give way early by slowing, stopping, or turning to pass astern. If it is on the port side, hold course and speed while watching, and act if the other boat is clearly not giving way.

Are COLREGs legally binding for recreational boaters?

Yes. The International Rules apply to all vessels on the high seas and connected waters, and the Inland Rules apply to all vessels on US inland waters, regardless of size or use.

What does "stand-on vessel" mean?

The stand-on vessel is the one that keeps its course and speed so the give-way vessel can predict its movements, but must still take action to avoid a collision if the give-way vessel does not.

Who has right of way when two boats meet head-on?

Neither. Both power-driven boats turn to starboard and pass port to port.

Do recreational boats have to carry a copy of the navigation rules?

Self-propelled boats of 12 meters (about 39 feet) or more must carry a copy of the Inland Navigation Rules under 33 CFR 83.01. Smaller boats are not required to, but having a copy aboard is good practice.