• Sailboats under sail only have the right of way over power-driven vessels unless the sailboat is overtaking the power-driven vessel or it is approaching a boat at anchor.
• In narrow channels, recreational vessels under 65 feet long must not hamper the operation of large vessels that cannot operate outside the channel. Boats should operate as near to the outer limit of the channel that lies on its starboard side as is safe and practicable.
• Vessels restricted in their ability to maneuver, such as tugs with barges, ferry boats, commercial fishing boats with nets or lines out or boats at anchor, are stand-on vessels.
• Vessels not under command (usually because of mechanical problems and are unable to steer) or constrained by their draft are stand-on vessels.
• On a river, a boat operating upriver (against the current) gives way to a boat operating downriver (with the current). A boat operating across the current gives way to boats operating both upriver and downriver.

All vessels must show required running lights between the hours of sunset and sunrise and during periods of restricted visibility, such as fog and heavy rain. A sailboat operating under power and sail must display the proper running lights for a power-boat. Navigation lights are restricted to the colors red, green and white. No lights of any type except for the required navigation lights may be dis-played. Navigation lights are designed to identify the type of boat and its situation (underway, direction of travel, at anchor, etc.) on the water. Boats underway include drifting boats. Night boaters should carry spare bulbs, fuses, batteries, and a flashlight.

The navigation lights required for boats are determined by the boat's length and whether it is powered by machinery, sail, paddles or oars.

The charts below show which lights are required.

Conversions: 7 meters = 23', 12 meters = 39’4", 20 meters = 65’6" < = less than