- Power Driven Vessel - Any vessel propelled by machinery. This includes any boat that has an engine. Sailboats are considered powerboats when they have the engines on--even if the sails are up.
- Sailing Vessel - Any vessel under sail alone. Remember, the engine only has to be on for a sailboat to be considered a powerboat.
- Vessels engaged in fishing - Means any vessel fishing with nets, lines, trawls or other fishing apparatus which restrict maneuverability, but does not include a vessel fishing with trolling lines or other fishing gear which doesn't restrict maneuverability. This means a shrimper out of Galveston is "engaged in fishing" Someone out trolling for stripers in their Grady-White is NOT considered to be engaged in fishing under the Rules....
- Seaplanes - Are any aircraft designed to
operate on the water.
- Vessels constrained by draft - Means that
a vessel can't deviate from a course/channel because they might run aground. A freighter
in a narrow channel is an example of this.
Note: This is for International waters only,
not Inland.
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- Vessels restricted in their ability to maneuver - Means a vessel that can't maneuver as required
by the rules because of the size or operation of the vessel. A fishing vessel pulling in nets and a buoy tender placing a buoy are both examples of a vessel restricted in their ability to maneuver.
- Vessels not under Command - Any vessel that for some exceptional circumstance is unable to maneuver as required by the Rules, and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel. If
Joe boater slips and knocks himself out, and can
no longer steer--that's a vessel not under command. If the steering cable goes out, and you can't turn the boat, that's a vessel not under command. If the captain is not paying attention and hits another
boat, that's negligence.
- Underway - Means that you are not anchored, moored, at the dock, or aground. If you are even drifting along, you are underway.
- Restricted visibility - Means any condition such as fog, mist, falling snow, rain, or other similar causes that make it difficult to see other vessels. Losing
your glasses is NOT restricted visibility.
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