Take any hobby in the world, and you’ll find people who just dabble and enjoy the experience. You’ll also find others who fully immerse themselves, learning the ins and outs – understanding not just how things work, but why they work that way.
Boating is no different.
Any given weekend on Lake Lanier, you’ll see weekend warriors out having fun right alongside those who treat boating like an art form – something to be studied and mastered. So, which one are you? If you’re in the first group, consider taking some time to learn a few key concepts of safe boating. If you’re in the second group – good for you. Keep it up.
Regardless of which group you fall into, one thing remains true: you’re responsible for understanding the “rules of the road” and navigating your vessel accordingly. Maybe you know the rules inside and out. Maybe you always steer your boat with precision and care. But here’s something you might not have considered:
What if the other guy doesn’t?
Unfortunately, that happens more often than you’d think on Lake Lanier. Picture this: You’re cruising across the lake and notice another vessel approaching from your port side. Judging by your current paths, you realize you’re on a collision course unless one of you changes speed or direction. Since the other boat is coming from your port side, you’re the stand-on vessel – you have the right of way. According to navigation rules, you should maintain your current course and speed, while the other boat is supposed to yield.
But are you sure the other operator knows that? Can you be absolutely certain they’ll change course or slow down in time? Are you comfortable continuing as-is just because you’re “right”?
It might sound crazy, but boating accidents have happened for exactly this reason: one boater didn’t know the rules, and the other refused to yield because they did.
This is where another critical rule comes into play – one that isn’t talked about enough: every vessel operator is required to take whatever action is necessary to avoid a collision, even if that means breaking the usual rules.
In other words, just knowing you’re right isn’t enough. If you stubbornly stay your course and a collision occurs, you can still be held partially responsible.
And let’s be honest, if you’re lying in a hospital bed because of a boating accident, does it really make you feel any better to know you had the right of way?
A little common sense and courtesy goes a long way on the water. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just out for the weekend, we’ll all be safer if we keep our heads up and look out for each other.
