power does not always give way to sail , it is not as straight forward as that is it?

Answer 1

This is the basic hierarchy for right of way.
Certain vessels have priority and take precedence in right of way rules.
1)Vessels not under command. Example, a runaway vessel or a vessel that has lost power.
2)Vessels restricted in their ability to maneuver because of size or draft. Example, a ship or dredge, a towboat with a tow.
3)Vessels engaged in trawling operations.
4)Sailboat under sail or manually powered boats.
5)Power vessel.
6)Sea plane.


A sailboat going faster than a powerboat does not neccesarily have the right of way as you can see. And according to the "Rules of the Road" even if you have the right of way you must do all that is possible to prevent a collision.

Answer 2

No, its not quite that simple. That basic rule applies most of the time, but is overridden by other rules in a number of situations. The full rules to check for an official answer are the IRPCS (International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea).

However, I've listed below those situations I can think of off the top of my head without bringing out the rule book, and I will stand corrected if anyone else can add any!

Sail gives way to power in each of the following situations:

1) Sailing vessel vs. vessel restricted in ability to manouvere, constrained by draught, not under command
2) Sailing vessel overtaking any other vessel
3) Sailing vessel vs. fishing/trawling vessel
4) In a narrow channel, traffic separation scheme, etc

In practice, your average pleasure yacht should give way to sail 90% of the time - its not often that they fall into one of the above categories. But if you're talking about big ships, then unless you're miles offshore in deep water and outside shipping lanes/TSS/etc, then stick outta their way! Even then you want to be careful - can they see you, or indeed is anyone actually on the bridge looking for you?!?

You just have to be sensible - using the Solent as an example, the big ships coming out of Southampton will have right of way by virtue of limited ability to manouvere/depth of water. Depending on exact location and tides, the larger of the Isle of Wight ferries will sometimes give way to you but its sensible to just keep out the way anyway; whereas the Fast Cats are generally pretty good - they'll usually manouvere around you, as they're far more manouverable and draw next to nothing.

Answer 3

It's better put as "discretion is the better part of valour".

The idea is that the more manoeuvrable vessel gives way, which usually IS the case where a motorboat clashes with a sailing boat, but no-one in his right mind would expect a ship of any size to give way to a yacht - they don't stop that easily and often are restricted by the channel, draught etc.

It originates when steamships were first coming in, and they mixed with similarly-sized sailing ships still in service. The steamship could manoeuvre more easily than the sailing ship, so they gave way.

In short, trying to insist on your rights when sailing across the bows of a ferry is going to end in grief!

Answer 4

The only thing that was stressed out on the USCG course which I attended related to your question was that if the sail boat is under it's own motor power and sail is down, then you treat it as powerboat.
Otherwise, if it has a sail up, the powerboats give way.

Answer 5

Here's the problem, I always give courtesy to "Sail" (even if they are under power, with sail down), not everybody knows the rules of the water, I always assume that they "DON'T", it's better to stay out of the way, and SAFE, then to go into a problem and be "right" but, "DEAD WRONG".

Answer 6

OK a couple of exceptions to this.

If a large ship is manouvering in restricted waters then sail gives way.

If a sailboat is travelling faster than a motor boat (is overtaking) then it keeps clear. A lot of people do not understand this on but it makes sense that the faster craft should keep clear or slow down.

Answer 7

No, it is not.

Basically, even yotties are supposed to at least try to pass 'port-to-port'! That is to say, exercise a small modicum of skill in navigating their vessels along the same paths as are provided, for everyone else! (Tacking, reaching and jibing, as it were: on their own side of the white line - so to speak!) In practise, simply bearing off, or up, a point or so for a few seconds. If reciprocated by the helm of the power vessel, most likely in an up or down speed adjustment, the resulting compromise avoids any radical alteration of speed or direction for either vessel.

Obviously, in say, an extremely narrow channel a power vessel should always assist the yachtsman/woman against the breeze, and indeed enormous license is, and should be given, by the skippers of such vessels - for everyone's enjoyment: it's all part of the fun! All part of the courtesy of life. (A bit like driving - in Lebanon!)

But in the wide open spaces of the harbour, sea or even large river then it is down to the yachtsman/woman to direct their vessel the same way as anyone else: passing port-to-port and avoiding collision!!! (Even if the tendency is that 'power gives way to sail).

Not many yotties know this - which is a problem if you are about to be "bowsprited" - and they tend to be not only ignorant of this, but sometimes determined to cut across other vessels' bows, regardles! Apparently, because of this myth.


But if they look like they are this type of helm, just give them a VERY wide berth for they know not what they do - or are doing. Just in the interests of safety!

And next week, when you are out in your beautifully restored half-decker, and some motor cruisers are approaching . . . just show them how a REALLY 'competent' crew operates - and they won't even notice you!

Answer 8

All good answers, but I will add that a sailboat that is motor sailing is considered a motor boat. By the rules they should be flying an upside down cone if their boat is larger than 38 feet to indicate this.

Answer 9

To the best of my knowlede, a powerboat must yield to a vessel under sail.

Answer 10

combine MArk T and MArk J answers and you've got it.....

sail has right of way except when overtaking, or a large ship is operating in confined waters, like a shipping channel where it cant change course without grounding........and when in doubt, refer to The Law of Gross Tonnage!