Rules of the Water - A Guide for Safe Boating

Avoiding accidents on the water becomes more important as more folks take to the lake annually. On lakes such as Mark Twain and Pomme de Terre, there are thousands of boats on the lakes every weekend. Everybody that is the owner of a boat owes it to themselves and their loved ones to know how to avoid typical situations on the lake.

Boat on Boat Situations

Three typical situations where boats will come to navigation decisions when approaching each other are head-on, crossing, and overtaking boats.

The Head-On Rules

When uncertain, yield right. That'll avoid most common complications with boat on boat encounters. If you're approaching a boat coming at you head-on, both boats are to yield to their right. If due to navigation issues (shallow water), getting to the right as far as possible and shutting down will enable the other boat to navigate near you in safe water. In tight situations, decelerate and judge the safe area on the right. And utilize your horn signals (identified in the Horn Blows section).

Crossing Rules

When two vessels are crossing in front of one another, the vessel to the right is considered the Stand-On Vessel and the other vessel is considered the Give-Way Vessel. The Stand-On Vessel (vessel on the right) is to continue on a straight course. While the Give-Way Vessel yields and navigates around the right of the other vessel. Again utilize horn blows when needed.

Overtaking Rules

When passing another boat, sound a brief horn blast to indicate your presence and then give a wide clearance and pass the vessel on the right (starboard) if possible. If navigation will not permit passing on the right, then again sound the horn with a couple of short bursts and pass with a wide margin on the left (port). Use caution as boats coming head-on might be masked by the forward vessel. Do not put yourself in a scenario of passing and needing to yield to oncoming vessels.

Note: These guidelines pertain to two boats of power meeting one another on the water. The guidelines vary for other boats not under power like sailboats. The boat under power must yield to the boat without power and make maneuvers to avoid the boat without power.

Horn Blows

Turn Starboard (Right) - Short blast
Turn Port (Left) - Two short blasts
Going Astern (backing up) - Three short blasts
Danger (to warn other boats of hazard ahead) - Five short blasts
Backing up from Dock - One long blast

Navigation Markers

Red Buoys - Mark right side of channel when going upstream or coming back from open waters.
Green Buoys - Mark left side of channel when traveling upstream or returning from open seas.
Non Lateral Markers (normally on white buoy with orange lines)
A square means information (things like fuel, or docks).
A diamond means danger and steer clear of that area (shallow or rocks).
A circle means controlled area, use caution (such as a no-wake zone).
A diamond with a cross indicates exclusion area (no boats allowed).

Understanding the rules of the water are important for a safe boating experience for you and the ones that you love. Use these rules to stay safe on Mark Twain Lake, Lake of the Ozarks, Pomme de Terre Lake, and all over Missouri.