The One-Minute Guide to the Nautical Rules of the Road: A Boating Magazine Book

Charlie Wing received his Ph.D. in oceanography from MIT, where he later worked as a research scientist. Since then his career has been explaining how things work--teaching physics at Bowdoin College, founding Americas first two do-it-yourself house-building schools (the Shelter Institute and Cornerstone), hosting a PBS series on energy conservation, and writing a dozen top-selling books on home building, home maintenance, and remodeling. Wing lived aboard a cruising sailboat for six years, during which time he wrote the first edition of this book on a solar-powered Macintosh computer. He is the author of four other IM books.

IntroductionHow to Use This BookSection I: What Every Boater Needs to KnowUnderlying PrinciplesPurpose of the RulesImportant DefinitionsDo the Rules Apply to Me?How Am I Responsible?Does My Boat Need a Lookout?What Is a Safe Speed?When You Meet Another BoatDetermining Risk of CollisionAction to Avoid CollisionTraffic Separation SchemesIn a Narrow Channel or FairwayOvertakingPower-Driven Vessels Meeting Head-OnPower-Driven Vessels CrossingTwo Sailboats MeetingMixed Vessel Types--The Pecking OrderFog SituationCommunications Between BoatsSounds--Blow Your Own HornLights--What Can They Tell You? (color section)VHF RadioSection II: International and Inland RulesPart A: GeneralRule 1 ApplicationRule 2 ResponsibilityRule 3 General DefinitionsPart B: Steering and Sailing RulesSection 1. Conduct of Vessels in Any Condition of VisibilityRule 4 ApplicationRule 5 LookoutRule 6 Safe SpeedRule 7 Risk of CollisionRule 8 Action to Avoid CollisionRule 9 Narrow ChannelsRule 10 Traffic Separation SchemesSection 2. Conduct of Vessels in Sight of One AnotherRule 11 ApplicationRule 12 Sailing VesselsRule 13 OvertakingRule 14 Head-on SituationRule 15 Crossing SituationRule 16 Action by Give-way VesselRule 17 Action by Stand-on VesselRule 18 Responsibilities Between VesselsSection 3. Conduct of Vessels in Restricted VisibilityRule 19 Conduct of Vessels in Restricted VisibilityPart C: Lights and ShapesRule 20 ApplicationRule 21 DefinitionsRule 22 Visibility of LightsRule 23 Power-Driven Vessels UnderwayRule 24 Towing and PushingRule 25 Sailing Vessels Underway and Vessels Under OarsRule 26 Fishing VesselsRule 27 Vessels Not Under Command or Restricted in Their Ability to ManeuverRule 28 Vessels Constrained by Their DraftRule 29 Pilot VesselsRule 30 Anchored Vessels and Vessels AgroundRule 31 SeaplanesPart D: Sound and Light SignalsRule 32 ApplicationRule 33 Equipment for Sound SignalsRule 34 Maneuvering and Warning SignalsRule 35 Sound Signals in Restricted VisibilityRule 36 Signals to Attract AttentionRule 37 Distress SignalsAnnex IV: Distress SignalsIndex