Collision Avoidance

Equipping Your Boat for Collision Avoidance

According to the US Coast Guard, "The most reported type of accident was a collision with another vessel." Statistics for 2004 (the latest year available) show that 45% of all accidents with fatalities involved collision with another vessel.

There are two aspects to avoiding collisions at sea. The first is the need to see other vessels, and the second is to be seen by other vessels. It's safest to assume that you have not been seen by other vessels until you talk to them on the VHF and positively confirm that they are aware of you.

This topic contains checklists for gear to help avoiding collisions.

Rules of the Road

The first thing you need for collision avoidance isn't any piece of equipment; it's a thorough knowledge of the "rules of the road". Out on the water there are no "roads" to speak of, but there is a set of rules that governs which boat has the right-of-way.

Using Radar

For coastal and offshore sailing, your best defense against collision with commercial traffic is a sharp lookout. Radar is great for foggy conditions but there is no substitute for an experienced, alert person watching out for other vessels. Never substitute an automated radar alert for a person standing watch.

Equipping Your Boat for Collision Avoidance

	Item	Link to Detail
See Other Vessels
	Binoculars
	Radar (optional, preferred)
Be Seen by Other Vessels
	Deck light - mounted so that it can be moved to illuminate the sails
	Radar reflectors	Equip. study from US Sailing
	Running lights (required)
	Spotlight (to shine on sails)
	Tri-color masthead light (preferred)
Emergency Measures
	Horn
	White anti-collision flares (optional)	Pains-Wessex recall notice

Collision Avoidance Skills

	Item	Link to Detail
See Other Vessels
	Practice using your radar
	Know the rules of the road
	Know how to interpret running lights at night

Links to Outside Resources

	Item	Link to Detail
	Accident statistics report for 2004 from the US Coast Guard	Download as PDF
	Online movies illustrating rules of the road, from www.boatsafe.com	Link
	Online movie illustrating running lights, from www.boatfafe.com	Link
	Rules of the Road publication, from the US Coast Guard	View Online Download as PDF

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