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Encountering other vessels

Safe navigation on Arkansas waterways is everyone's responsibility. All operators are equally responsible for taking action to avoid collisions. There are some rules that every operator should follow when encountering other vessels. The navigation rules page shows what to do when you encounter another vessel.

To prevent collisions, every operator should follow three basic rules of navigation:

• Practice good seamanship.        
• Keep a sharp lookout.        
• Maintain a safe speed and distance    

Encountering Vessels with Limited Maneuverability

If operating a power-driven vessel, you must give way to:

• Any vessel not under command, such as an anchored or disabled vessel.        
• Any vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver, such as a vessel towing or laying cable or a vessel constrained by its draft such as a large ship in a channel.        
• A vessel engaged in commercial fishing.        
• A sailboat under sail unless it is overtaking.    

If operating a vessel under sail, you must give way to:

• Any vessel not under command.        
• Any vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver.        
• A vessel engaged in commercial fishing.    

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