California Boating
A Course for Safe Boating
41
Chapter 2
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Boating Law, Navigational Rules and Navigational Aids
Poor and Restricted Visibility
Poor and restricted visibility may be caused by fog, mist, falling snow, heavy
rainstorms, or even blowing sand or smoke. For all vessels not in sight of
one another when navigating in or near and area of restricted visibility,
the navigation rules require every vessel to slow to a minimum, safe speed
according to the conditions present. You should navigate with extreme
caution and take action to alter course in ample time to avoid collision. When
underway in restricted visibility, you must sound a warning signal at least
every two minutes.
A motorboat should sound one prolonged blast every two minutes.
A sailboat under sail should sound one prolonged blast, plus two short
blasts, every two minutes.
REVIEW QUESTIONS: NAVIGATIONAL RULES
Define the following terms:
1. Stand-on vessel
.
2. Give-way vessel
.
3. Danger signal
.
Answer the following questions by circling
T
for true or
F
for false.
4. In a head-to-head meeting situation, one short blast indicates your intention to pass port to port . . . T F
5. When approaching a blind bend or when operating under poor visibility, no special
precautions need to be taken T F
Turn to page 100 for correct answers.
TAKE NOTE
Use common sense, extra caution
and boating skill when:
Visibility is poor because of fog,
rain, bright sun or other reasons.
The operator of the oncoming boat
is not following the standard rules of
navigation or is operating the vessel
recklessly.
Operating your vessel in heavy-
traffic areas.