Getting Started - Sailing Rules & Regulations
Another integral part of Sailing is the knowledge and understanding of the Sailing Rules and Regulations (also called Rules of the Road, International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, or COLREGS). These rules are set to maintain order. Specifically, they are made to avoid collisions at sea.
There are so many Sailing Rules and Regulations. Some are very specific for certain situations. As a beginner, you need not know all of them at once. For now, a set of basic rules will suffice. But you need to know the existing rules should you decide to pursue this activity. You will understand more specific rules as you gain experience.
As a reminder, do not rely solely on this section when learning the Rules of the Road. You can use the content of this section to aid you in remembering the necessary rules and regulations.
Make use of this list of terms to help you in understanding the rules:
- Port - left-hand side of the Sailboat when facing forward
- Starboard - right-hand side when facing forward
- Port tack - wind is blowing over the Port side
- Starboard tack - wind is on the Starboard side
- Windward - towards the wind
- Leeward - away from the wind
- Stand-on - has the right of way, maintain course and speed
- Give way - alter course and/or speed, allow the other vessel on its course
In this section, know some of the various Rules of the Road in Sailing:
- Stand-on vessel is the one with the right of way. On the other hand, the other vessel must give way. The give-way Sailboat should cross astern (not ahead) of the other vessel.
- Power gives way to sail. A Powerboat should stay clear and give way to a Sailboat.
- When two Powerboats meet head-on, both must alter course and pass port to port.
- In narrow channels, Sailboats should stay clear and give way to larger vessels.
- The windward vessel should give way to the leeward Sailboat.
- If the Sailboat is on Starboard tack and the other vessel is on Port tack, the one in Starboard tack is the right-of-way vessel. The other should stay clear.
These are some of the Sailing Rules and Regulations. It is very important to adhere to the Rules of the Road in order to avoid unnecessary events and to maintain a pleasurable and trouble-free trip. As mentioned earlier, do not rely solely on this section. This can only serve as a guide in learning the different rules and regulations.
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