The rules of the road are the rules governing the movements of vessels when underway. They are laws enacted by an agreement between all maritime nations, and obedience to them is compulsory. If in case of a collision, it is proved that one of the parties has violated a rule of the road, the damages lie against the violator. Yachtsmen should thoroughly learn and understand these rules, and should always maintain and obey them.
A steam vessel is any vessel propelled by machinery—this includes naphtha, gasolene, kerosene and electric launches.
A sailing vessel is a vessel wholly propelled by sails.
An auxiliary yacht when using her engines, no matter whether she has sail set or not is a steam vessel. If not using her engine she is a sailing vessel.
Steam vessels must keep out of the way of sailing vessels; sailing vessels must keep out of the way of row-boats.
Vessels of all kinds, when underway, must keep clear of anchored craft or craft lying idle or hove-to.
Overtaking vessels must keep clear of vessels overtaken. A sailing vessel overtaking a launch must keep clear of the launch.
When two 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 vessel which is running free shall keep out of the way of a vessel which is close-hauled.
A vessel which is close-hauled on the port tack shall keep out of the way of a vessel which is close-hauled on the starboard tack.