Boating Safety Card

Is a printed reference card available from DBW with the "INLAND RULES OF THE ROAD."

For a printable version click here

Contents:

DISTRESS SIGNALS

SIGNALS

CROSS SIGNALS

REVERSE

CROSSING

DANGER

MEETING HEAD-ON OR NEARLY SO

OVERTAKING

CALIFORNIA UNIFORM WATERWAY MARKER SYSTEM

WEATHER ADVISORIES

RECOGNIZED DISTRESS SIGNALS
The following are some of the signals that are recognized as indicating distress and need of assistance.
On Coastal waters, most boaters must carry Coast Guard approved visual distress signalling devices. Write the Department of Boating and Waterways for more information on visual distress requirements or consult the ABCs of the California Boating Law.

SIGNALS Short Blast - 1 second
Prolonged Blast - 4 to 6 seconds

CROSS SIGNALS Use of cross signals, answering one signal with two or with one, is forbidden.

REVERSE Three short blasts indicate engines going astern(in reverse).

CROSSING Give-way vessel, vessel which has the other on the starboard(right(, keeps out of the way and avoids crossing ahead of stand-on vessel. Stand-on vessel holds course and speed.
AVOID A COLLISION

DANGER Five or more short blasts sounded in rapid succession indicates risk of collision or intent of other vessel not understood.

REDUCED VISIBILITY Power-driven vessels

Making way through the water - one prolonged blast sounded at two-minute intervals.

Underway but stopped and making no way through the water - two prolonged blasts in succession with two second intervals between blasts sounded at two-minute intervals.

Sailboats or Vessels not under command, restricted in ability to maneuver, towing or pushing another vessel, or engaged in fishing with nets or trawling

One prolonged followed by two short blasts sounded at two-minute intervals.

MEETING HEAD-ON OR NEARLY SO One short blast. Both vessels alter course to starboard(right) to pass port (left) to port.

OVERTAKING
One or two short blasts

CALIFORNIA UNIFORM WATERWAY MARKER SYSTEM REGULATORY OR ADVISORY MARKERS

AIDS TO NAVIGATION
(WHEN GOING UPSTREAM)

WEATHER ADVISORIES

This and many other publications are available free to the public. To request this card write us at:

California Boating and Waterways
2000 Evergreen Stree, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95815
or email us: pubinfo@dbw.ca.gov
Be sure to include the title of the publications and your mailing address.

Contents: DISTRESS SIGNALS SIGNALS CROSS SIGNALS REVERSE CROSSING DANGER MEETING HEAD-ON OR NEARLY SO OVERTAKING CALIFORNIA UNIFORM WATERWAY MARKER SYSTEM WEATHER ADVISORIES	RECOGNIZED DISTRESS SIGNALS The following are some of the signals that are recognized as indicating distress and need of assistance. On Coastal waters, most boaters must carry Coast Guard approved visual distress signalling devices. Write the Department of Boating and Waterways for more information on visual distress requirements or consult the ABCs of the California Boating Law.
SIGNALS	Short Blast - 1 second Prolonged Blast - 4 to 6 seconds
CROSS SIGNALS	Use of cross signals, answering one signal with two or with one, is forbidden.
REVERSE	Three short blasts indicate engines going astern(in reverse).
CROSSING	Give-way vessel, vessel which has the other on the starboard(right(, keeps out of the way and avoids crossing ahead of stand-on vessel. Stand-on vessel holds course and speed.
DANGER	Five or more short blasts sounded in rapid succession indicates risk of collision or intent of other vessel not understood.
REDUCED VISIBILITY	Power-driven vessels Making way through the water - one prolonged blast sounded at two-minute intervals. Underway but stopped and making no way through the water - two prolonged blasts in succession with two second intervals between blasts sounded at two-minute intervals. Sailboats or Vessels not under command, restricted in ability to maneuver, towing or pushing another vessel, or engaged in fishing with nets or trawling One prolonged followed by two short blasts sounded at two-minute intervals.
MEETING HEAD-ON OR NEARLY SO	One short blast. Both vessels alter course to starboard(right) to pass port (left) to port.
OVERTAKING One or two short blasts
CALIFORNIA UNIFORM WATERWAY MARKER SYSTEM	REGULATORY OR ADVISORY MARKERS AIDS TO NAVIGATION (WHEN GOING UPSTREAM)
WEATHER ADVISORIES