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Rules of the Road

Narrow channels

Technical visualNarrow channel
Narrow channelA vessel proceeds through a narrow channel near the outer limit on its starboard side, while another vessel is constrained to the channel.SMALL VESSELCHANNEL VESSEL
Narrow channelA vessel proceeds through a narrow channel near the outer limit on its starboard side, while another vessel is constrained to the channel.SMALL VESSELCHANNEL VESSEL
Rule 9: keep near the outer limit on the starboard side where safe and practicable; do not impede a vessel that can safely navigate only within the channel.

Rule 9

A vessel proceeding along a narrow channel or fairway should keep as near to the outer limit on its starboard side as is safe and practicable.

Among the important rules:

a vessel under 20 m or a sailing vessel must not impede a vessel that can safely navigate only within the channel or fairway

a vessel engaged in fishing must not impede passage of another vessel navigating within the channel

a vessel should not cross if doing so would impede a vessel that can safely navigate only within the channel

avoid anchoring in a narrow channel if circumstances admit

Inland river distinction

On the Great Lakes, Western Rivers and certain other Inland waters, special rules govern vessels proceeding downbound with a following current and vessels proceeding upbound.

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