§ 5-13 — Traffic rules

A. The area straight ahead of a vessel to the point that is 22.5 degrees beyond the middle of the vessel on the starboard side of the watercraft shall be designated the danger zone. An operator of a watercraft shall yield to any other watercraft occupying or entering into the danger zone that may result in collision. A-5. Head-on situation. (1) If 2 power-driven vessels are meeting head-on or nearly head-on courses so as to involve risk of collision, each shall alter course to starboard so that each shall pass on the port side of the other. (2) A vessel proceeding along the course of a narrow channel or canal shall keep as near to the outer limit of the channel or canal that lies on the starboard side as is safe and practicable. (3) A power-driven vessel operating in narrow channels and proceeding downbound with a following current shall have the right-of-way over an upbound vessel, shall propose the manner and place of passage, and shall imitate the maneuvering signals as required by law. The vessel proceeding upstream shall yield as necessary to permit safe passing. B. Crossing. As used in this Section, "crossing" means 2 or more watercraft traveling in directions that would have the path of travel of the watercraft intersect each other. (1) If 2 power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve the risk of collision, the vessel that has the other on the starboard side shall keep out of the way and shall avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel. (2) A power-driven vessel crossing a river shall keep out of the way of a power-driven vessel ascending or descending the river. (3) A vessel may not cross a narrow channel or canal if the crossing impedes the passage of a vessel that can only safely navigate within the channel or canal. C. Overtaking. (1) A vessel overtaking any other shall give way to the vessel being overtaken. (2) If a vessel operator is in doubt as to whether he or she is overtaking another vessel, the operator shall assume he or she is overtaking the other vessel and shall act accordingly. (3) Any subsequent alteration of the bearing between the 2 vessels shall not make the overtaking vessel a crossing vessel within the meaning of this Section or relieve the overtaking operator of the duty to keep clear of the overtaken vessel until finally past and clear. (4) When overtaking in a narrow channel or canal, the operator of a power-driven vessel intending to overtake another power-driven vessel shall proceed to pass safety only after indicating his or her intention by sounding the horn as follows: (a) one short blast from the horn signifies a request to pass on the overtaken vessel's starboard side; (b) 2 short blasts from the horn signify a request to pass on the overtaken vessel's port side. (5) The operator of the power-driven vessel being overtaken shall: (a) acknowledge the request by sounding the same signal; or (b) sound 5 short blasts from the horn to indicate danger or to warn the overtaking vessel not to pass. No response from the overtaken vessel shall be interpreted as an indication of danger and is the same as if 5 short blasts from the horn were sounded. In the absence of an audible signal or horn, a light signal device using the appropriate number of rapid bursts of light may be used. D. Sailing vessels. (1) The operator of a power-driven vessel shall yield the right-of-way to any nonpowered or sailing vessel unless the nonpowered vessel is overtaking the power-driven vessel or when a large craft is navigating in a confined channel, the large craft has the right-of-way over a boat propelled solely by oars or sails. (2) If 2 sailing vessels are approaching one another, so as to involve risk of collision, one of them shall keep out of the way of the other as follows: (a) If each has the wind on a different side, the vessel that has the wind on the port side shall give way to the other vessel. (b) If both have the wind on the same side, the vessel that is to windward shall give way to the vessel that is to leeward. (c) If a vessel with the wind on the port side sees a vessel to windward and cannot determine with certainty whether the other vessel has the wind on the port or starboard side, the vessel shall give way to the other vessel.

Legislative History

(Source: P.A. 104-137, eff. 1-1-26 .)