| Water bodies offer vast expanses of area for easy | | | | markers around threats of wrecks, shoals, and rocks. |
| and carefree movement of sailing boats and vessels. | | | | There are four types of buoys: |
| However, important factors like wind direction, course, | | | | 1. Lateral markers indicate edges of channels for |
| sea state, and strength of sailing vessels could pose | | | | vessels to steer along safely |
| serious problems. Further, in racing events, sailing boats | | | | 2. Cardinal buoys specifically marked but generally |
| aim for the same course and area of water, therefore | | | | yellow and black indicate dangers to points of the |
| it's even more important to know the rules of sailing. | | | | compass, North, South, East and West. |
| Boats that are 39.4 feet or longer should have a copy | | | | 3. Dennis the Menace' buoys are red and black striped |
| of rules and regulations as stipulated by Royal | | | | danger designs to indicate isolated danger |
| Yachting Association or RYA on board. Sailors taking | | | | 4. Red and white striped safe water buoy indicates |
| charge of vessels smaller than stipulated size should | | | | safe water navigation. Sound signals are important |
| have clear and definite knowledge of all basic sailing | | | | means of communication between sailing boats and |
| rules for maximum safety of all. | | | | vessels. Specific USA Inland Rule 34 signals are |
| Remaining ignorant of such rules could cause you to | | | | indicate below, but International signals may vary: |
| be liable in case of any untoward incident. Sailing rules | | | | 1. A single short blast by you means you are turning |
| are based and devised on basic common sense and | | | | starboard side and will leave other boat to port side. |
| simple ideas that leave no idea of doubt in the minds | | | | 2. Two short blasts by you means you are turning port |
| of sailors about who should be given preference of | | | | side and will leave other boat to starboard side. |
| way in case boats are coming too close. Race | | | | 3. Three short blasts by you mean you are reversing |
| organizers and conducting authorities enforce these | | | | your engines. |
| regulations very stringently. In all cases, give-way | | | | 4. One long blast by you means you are now getting |
| vessel should offer proper directions to stand-on | | | | underway. |
| vessel of its intentions. All intentions should be specific | | | | 5. One long blast followed by one short blast by you |
| and deliberate. The stand-on vessel should be ready to | | | | means you are - requesting other boat to open the |
| change its course. | | | | drawbridge. |
| Any overtaking vessel gains right-of-way and this | | | | 6. Five short blasts by you means you are in danger |
| vessel should steer its path safely. Further, you should | | | | and you are therefore requesting other boat to move |
| undertake all precautions and provide all directions of | | | | out-of-the-way. |
| your intentions. A racing sailboat should steal wind from | | | | The other boat should respond by repeating your |
| the course of another sailboat and proceed ahead. | | | | sound signals as a confirmation of having understood |
| This indicates the margin of overtaking. Specific sailing | | | | what you were trying to convey. If in any case, the |
| vessels always earn right-of-way like a vessel that | | | | response comes as five short blasts, it means original |
| has broken down, vessels engaged in dredging or mine | | | | intended action is dangerous. |
| sweeping, commercial vessels, and power-driven | | | | The above are just some of the rules of sailing; more |
| vessels. In poor visibility conditions, no boat gets right to | | | | information on sailing rules will be included when taking |
| way. All boats should proceed slowly and keep safe | | | | your sailing qualifications through a registered training |
| distance from other boats. Buoys on seas are | | | | center. |