Tennessee Valley Authority
Rules of the Road for Recreational Boaters
Boaters must follow the rules listed below except in situations where deviating from these rules is necessary to avoid a collision.
Right-of-way
Vessels that have the right-of-way, in order of priority, are:
- Vessels being passed by other vessels
- Commercial tows and other vessels restricted in maneuverability
- Sailing or nonpowered vessels
- Power-driven vessels not restricted in maneuverability
- Seaplanes
Meeting situations
- Vessels should generally meet and pass port to port.
- At least one of the vessels should signal its intentions (see below).
- The vessel with the right-of-way must maintain its course and speed until the other vessel is clear.
Overtaking situations
- The vessel being passed has the right-of-way.
- The vessel being passed must hold its course and speed.
- Passing vessels should signal their intentions (see below).
- The vessel with the right-of-way must maintain its course and speed until the other vessel is clear.
Crossing situations
Generally, the boat approaching from your right has the right-of-way. However, vessels restricted in maneuverability have the right-of-way over sailing vessels, and sailing vessels have the right-of-way over power vessels that are not restricted in maneuverability.
Signaling your intentions
- One whistle blast: “Pass port to port.”
- Two whistle blasts: “Pass starboard to starboard.”
- Three whistle blasts: “My engines are in reverse.”
- Five or more rapid whistle blasts: “Danger!” or “I don’t understand your intention to maneuver.”
Excerpted from “Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers: A boater’s guide to safe travel,” produced by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville District, and TVA.