Legal Operation
Why must small boats give way to large commercial ships in confined waters, both by rule and common sense?
Answer
Large ships cannot stop or turn quickly and may be constrained to the channel, so smaller boats must keep clear
Big ships need great distance to stop or turn and often must stay in a deep, narrow channel. A small boat should never assume a large vessel can avoid it — stay out of its path and out of blind spots near the bow.
Source: U.S. Coast Guard / Office of the Federal Register — 33 CFR Part 83, Inland Navigation Rules, § 83.09(b), (d) (Rule 9), Narrow channels; § 83.06 (Rule 6) — https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/section-83.09
Not the answer
- Large ships are always the give-way vessel
- It is only a suggestion
- Small boats are faster so it does not matter
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