Right of way rules at sea _Sailing the Gulf Soverato _
5 May 2026 · 6 min · 96 views · Soverato
What this video covers
Six right-of-way rules for sailors are explained, covering motor-vessel crossings, overtaking, sail-versus-power priority, and sail-versus-sail crossings.▶ 0:23 When two motorboats meet head-on, both must alter course to starboard early.▶ 0:46 In a diagonal crossing, the vessel with another boat on its starboard side must give way — slowing, stopping, or passing astern — while the stand-on vessel holds course and speed.▶ 1:45 When overtaking a sailing vessel, the faster boat must pass on the leeward side to avoid blanketing the sails; overtaking a motorboat allows either side.▶ 2:11 A sailing vessel under sail alone holds priority over a motorboat, but the transcript stresses that this rule is lethal to enforce against large commercial ships: a cargo vessel's bow blind spot extends 1.5 miles ahead, and stopping distance at full reverse can reach 5 miles.▶ 3:31 Small boats must yield to that physics regardless of legal right-of-way.▶ 4:24 In sail-versus-sail crossings, the boat on starboard tack has priority; if both are on the same tack, the leeward boat has right-of-way.▶ 4:43 The overriding principle: holding right-of-way never justifies accepting a collision — if doubt exists that the other vessel has seen you, maneuver immediately.▶ 5:30
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