There are rules to follow when you’re in control of a boat on the water, just as you’d follow road rules when you’re driving your car. In fact, it’s even more imperative to follow the rules on the water, because there aren’t any clear lanes for your vehicle to keep to. That makes things more difficult, and you should know how to pass a fishing boat properly as to minimize the chances of any accidents.
This is especially true when a situation involves a fishing boat. Fishing boats aren’t all that common, but they’re involved in 15% of all boating accidents. The main issue with fishing boats is that they have cast lines and nets, so you have to factor these things in.
Keep to the Right
In most cases, passing other boats is all about keeping to the right, which is the starboard side of the boat. If you’re meeting the boat head on, then you’ll have the other boat on your left side, or port side. You will pass on the other boat’s port side as well. This is like being on the road in the US—just keep to the right and everything’s clear.
When you’re passing on the starboard side, you’d normally honk your horn once to tell the other boat your intentions. The fishing boat can then honk once in acknowledgement, and that’s your go-ahead signal that you can pass on the starboard side safely.
But there may be some complications along the way, such as lines that you may be crossing. That’s why it’s crucial that you communicate with the fishing boat ahead.
You should slow down your speed, and minimize the wake you create that may cause problems for the fishing boat. Fishing boats tend to have the upper edge of their hull nearer down to the surface of the water. If you speed by past a fishing boat, your wake may be large enough that you end up getting water into the fishing boat. Now, that’s just rude.
The fishing boat may indicate that you may not be able to go through your starboard side safely, and they may signal that you should pass on the port side (your left side of the boat). You have to make it clear to the fishing boat that you will, in fact, be going on your port side, so that they can anticipate your movements.
If you’re passing on the port side, this time you honk your horn twice. The fishing boat will return your double-honk signal to make clear that it’s safe to pass them on the port side.
What about overtaking a fishing boat? Unlike on roads in the US where cars overtake on the left side, on water you overtake on the right side, or starboard. You still keep to the right.
What If the Fishing Boat is Anchored?
That means it has the right of way, meaning you’re the boat that has to move to accommodate the anchored fishing boat. Since it’s anchored, it can’t very well avoid you. You have to be the boat to move to avoid the fishing boat instead.
It’s best that you stay far back from the fishing boat as much as you can, because the line from the fishing boat may extend for more than a hundred yards from it. You really don’t want the inconvenience of having the fishing boat’s line wrapped around the prop of your boat.
What If This Comes Up at Night?
The darkness may seem to make things more difficult, but there are rules that can compensate for the lack of visibility. The first rule is that at night, the waters where there are speed limits will have even lower speed limits when it’s night time. It’s even more imperative that you slow your boat down.
Boats (including fishing boats) also generally have 2 front lights on the boat to help you find see them. The lights are even colored to indicate where things are. The light on the starboard side is generally green, while the light on the port side is red.
There’s also a light at the stern, which is at the back of the boat. This is white, and if you see this light then you know the boat is moving away from you. In fact, with all these lights, you should know where it’s facing and where it’s going.
Still, at night it’s a very good idea to slow down or even stop to a crawl. Speeding is just too dangerous, in case you hit some floating debris on the water that may damage your boat.
In Narrow Channels
You don’t usually find fishing boats anchored in a channel, regardless of whether the fishing is very good in these waters. But the fishing boat mat just be going through the channel to get somewhere else.
In any case, the usual rule applies and you keep to the starboard. But if the width of the channel isn’t enough to let the 2 boats pass side by side, then the smaller boat must give way and let the bigger vessel pass by.
Avoiding Collisions
Your main priority as a boat captain is to avoid collisions, and other issues on the water. That’s why you either have to keep a constant lookout for potential problems. If you can’t do it, then have one of your crew assume the job. The lookout has to see all around and check for other boats, other smaller vessels, debris on the water, and maybe even swimmers.
You should keep to the rules whenever possible, but you also have to use your common sense. If following the rules strictly will cause a collision or some other problem, then do something else. You’re obliged to follow not the letter of the law, but the spirit of the law. And that law is all about safety on the water with boats all around.
What If You’re on a Sailboat?
You may be used to having the right of way when you’re on a sailboat and you encounter powered vessels on the water. This is because your sailboat doesn’t have as much maneuverability as the other powered boat, unless you’re also using your sailboat as a powered boat as well. If that’s the case, then your sailboat is just like any other boat.
But even if you’re on a sailboat, the fishing boat still has the right of way. The fishing boat actually has even less maneuverability than a sailboat, so the sailboat has to move around more to avoid a collision.
If you’re on a sailboat, you should really keep your distance from any fishing boat. That’s especially true if the fishing boat is anchored. Remember, their lines may extend hundreds of yards from their boat, and going near the boat may have those lines getting wrapped around your propeller.
If You’re the Fishing Boat Captain
In this situation, you have to be very careful. You may even have a more serious task than the captain of the other boat overtaking you. You have to maintain your speed and allow the overtaking boat to pass you safely.
It’s crucial that you obey the water speed limits, because going slowly gives you more time to react when something unexpected happens. You don’t give yourself much leeway at all if you’re speeding over the limit.
There are plenty of hypothetical problems that may arise in these situations, so you have to be ready. Sure, you may be an experienced professional if you’re the captain of a fishing boat. But you may be dealing with new boat owners on their first time being the captain of their own boat. You have to be ready that the other boat may do something wrong, like give you the wrong signals.
Conclusion
On water, the primary consideration is always about safety. You’re responsible for your boat when you’re operating on the water, and you have to know the rules. Your main goal is always to avoid any sort of boating accident, especially collisions and issues with the fishing lines and nets of fishing boats. You want things to run smoothly.
If you’re not sure on what to do, always try to get on the radio and communicate with the captain on the other boat. Discuss the rules with that captain so you’re both on the same page. Find a course of action for both boats that will work.
It’s crucial that you communicate with other boats near you, to minimize potential problems. That’s even more important when there are fishing boats around. Learn how to pass these fishing boats properly, and follow the rules of the water. Use your common sense, and always be polite as well.
Know the rules, and practice them diligently. Try to think of situations in advance and then figure out what to do beforehand. That way, you’re always prepared for the worst!