Division 7 Mission Job Aid:

Make Way Education

17MAR2010 A

Relevance: Public Affairs, Vessel Examination, Public Education, Marine Dealer Visitation,
Operations (underway education). This document deals specifically with our education outreach
efforts. Our efforts providing Make Way assistance while underway are outside the scope of this
aid.

Objective: Educate boaters as to their obligations under the navigation rules, specifically Rule 9,
to prevent loss of life, injury, property damage, damage to the environment, and impacts on the
maritime transportation system.

Overview: Our narrow fairways combined with the large volumes of commercial traffic and
recreational sail, power and paddle powered boating create a significant potential for collision,
vessel damage, injury and death. We have had fatalities due to commercial vessels colliding with
recreational vessels in the past and we regularly see close calls. Even when collisions are avoided
the maneuvers necessary can cause the commercial vessels to stand into danger with significant
risk of allision (a vessel hitting a fixed object) or collision (a vessel hitting another vessel) and
resultant risk to life, commerce and the marine environment.

The greatest concern is boaters anchored in the channel. Boaters underway, including fishermen
trolling, have greater maneuverability and generally maintain better situational awareness, which
reduces the chance of adverse outcomes.

As with all boating safety problems, speed, alcohol and inexperience can also play a significant
role.

Approach: The challenge when communicating the Make Way message is balancing the safety
risk and potential fines with a positive message that encourages boater responsibility and allows
our citizens to safely maximize their enjoyment of our beautiful Columbia and Willamette rivers.

Each member will need to strike this balance for themselves as their experience, comfort level and
the particular situation dictate.

Please do remember that most boaters, including anchored fishermen, are happy to comply with
requests when educated and most commercial operators do their very best to minimize the
potential for incidents. Please do not let the few non-cooperative people influence your approach to
all boaters. As always, look to Alexander Hamilton’s guidance to the first Cutter Captains in our
service as you represent the Coast Guard:

[A]lways keep in mind that [your] countrymen are free men and, as such, are impatient of
everything that bears the least mark of a domineering spirit...[Refrain, therefore,] with the most
guarded circumspection, from whatever has the sem- blance of haughtiness, rudeness, or
insult...[E]ndeavor to overcome difficulties, if any are experienced, by a cool and temperate
perseverance in [your] duty—by address and mod- eration, rather than vehemence and violence.

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Messages to use: The following points are made in the OSMB/USCG/Columbia River Towboat
Association flyer we currently distribute. We are working on (as of March 2010) an updated set of
messages.

• Large vessels must navigate within the channel.

• By law, small vessels must give ships and barges room to safely pass. Maximum fine:
$5,000
• Keep a good lookout at all times. If you have to move take your anchor with you. They can
foul propellers.
• Tow operators may have difficulty seeing over barges. Keep well clear.
• Five or more short blasts on the large vessel’s horn is the danger signal. Boats in the way
must move immediately.
• Avoid joining hog lines that protrude out into the channel.
• Large vessels need room to maneuver. Keep well clear when they are turning.
• Contact large vessels on marine VHF radio channels 13 and 16.

Please also consider the following as time and conditions allow:

• The rule covers the channel or fairway – commercial vessels may be operating out of the
dredged channel and they are still “stand-on” and recreational boaters must make way.
• Avoid anchoring in the channel
• Know where the channel is in the areas you boat
• The five or more short blasts is the danger signal and is sounded when danger is imminent,
it is not simply an indicator to move. Recreational boaters should have already taken action
to meet the requirements of Rule 9. If everyone is playing by the rules there is no need for
the danger signal.
• The Federal civil fine can be up to $5,000. Negligence and gross negligence can result in
criminal prosecution. Violations of the Navigation Rules can also result in liability for any
negative outcomes of your failure to follow the rules.
• There are State fines as well

Issues you may encounter: There are a number of common questions and responses you may
encounter. [Please feel free to contribute additional ones]

• Response: They’ve always gone around me before. Answer: Different ships and
tugs/barges have different maneuvering characteristics based on load and the conditions
(wind, current, visibility) – just because you’ve been “safe” in a particular location before
does not mean you are safe today.
• Question: Am I safe at X or am I safe here. Answer: You must use your own judgment –
we strongly encourage people to err on the side of caution.
• Response: I’ve fished here for X years, they can just deal with it! Answer: You are
responsible to follow the rules.
• Response: The commercial guys just run through us (or some other comment on the
commercial operators behavior). Answer: Our experience is that they try very hard to share
the waterway – they usually need to maintain way to keep their vessels under control. They
may need to be in a particular part of the river to set up for a series of maneuvers miles up
or down the river. Many commercial captains are recreational boaters as well.

Education Materials: There are no nationally provided materials (via ANSC) specific to Rule 9, all
current materials have been provided locally.

• Make Way flyers: We have limited stocks of Make Way flyers currently available and are
working to get more.

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 • Printable flyers: We have a black and white version of the flyer suitable for printing and
copying that can emailed – please request this from Daren Lewis: [email protected]

Resource: Rule 9

Rule 9 of the Navigation Rules is the key rule for our program and specifies the responsibilities of
the target recreational boaters. The most relevant sections are shown in bold.

RULE 9
NARROW CHANNELS
(a) (i) [Inld] A vessel proceeding along the course of a narrow channel or fairway shall keep
as near to the outer limit of the channel or fairway which lies on her starboard side as is safe
and practicable.
(ii) Notwithstanding paragraph (a)(i) and Rule 14(a), a power-driven vessel operating in narrow
channels or fairways on the Great Lakes, Western Rivers, or waters specified by the Secretary,
and proceeding downbound with a following current shall have the right-of-way over an
upbound vessel, shall propose the manner and place of passage, and shall initiate the
maneuvering signals prescribed by Rule 34(a)(i), as appropriate. The vessel proceeding
upbound against the current shall hold as necessary to permit safe passing. [Inld]

(b) A vessel of less than 20 meters in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the
passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway.
(c) A vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of any other vessel
navigating within a narrow channel or fairway.
(d) A vessel shall not cross a narrow passage or fairway if such crossing impedes the
passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within such channel or fairway. The latter
vessel may use the sound signal prescribed in Rule 34(d) if in doubt as to the intention of the
crossing vessel.
(e)
(i) [INLAND RULES] In a narrow channel or fairway when overtaking, the power-driven
vessel intending to overtake another power-driven vessel shall indicate her intention by
sounding the appropriate signal prescribed in Rule 34(c) and take steps to permit safe
passing. The power-driven vessel being overtaken, if in agreement, shall sound the
same signal and may, if specifically agreed to take steps to permit safe passing. If in
doubt, she shall sound the danger signal prescribed in Rule 34(d).
(ii) This rule does not relieve the overtaking vessel of her obligation under Rule 13.
(f) A vessel nearing a bend or an area of a narrow channel or fairway where other
vessels may be obscured by an intervening obstruction shall navigate with particular
alertness and caution and shall sound the appropriate signal prescribed in Rule 34(e).

(g) Any vessel shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid anchoring in a
narrow channel.

Resource: Rule 34

Rule 34 describes the danger signal

Rule 34 (d) When vessels in sight of one another are approaching each other and from any
cause either vessel fails to understand the intentions or actions of the other, or is in doubt
whether sufficient action is being taken by the other to avoid collision, the vessel in doubt shall
immediately indicate such doubt by giving at least five short and rapid blasts on the whistle.

Division 7 Mission Job Aid: Make Way Education 3

 This signal may be supplemented by at least five short and rapid flashes.

Resource: The Think, Look, Listen, Move checklist

This is a education resource we are developing which emphasizes the responsible boating
message. It is still under development but may be useful in your efforts.

Think:

• Do I need to be here?
• Can I safely maneuver around current traffic and traffic I do not yet see?
• Do I have adequate visibility for the conditions?
• Can I be seen from upriver and downriver?
• How long will I have if something comes around the next bend?
• Am I in the channel, on the “edge” of the channel? (Charts, ranges, GPS)
• What are my options if I need to maneuver? Where do I go?
• How do I get there? Can quickly pull my anchor if anchored?
• Can I cut loose if I have a problem with my anchor line?
• Am I prepared by having emergency communications, signaling equipment, and a fully
operable vessel?
• Am I wearing my Life Jacket? Are my passengers?

Look:

• Maintain a continuous, alert lookout upriver and downriver when in the channel underway,
adrift or at anchor.
• Check sightlines. In some areas of the river sightlines are very short.

Listen:

• Be alert for the danger signal and other signals

• Monitor channels 16 and 13 on your VHF FM radio

Move:

• When in the channel, move.

• When in doubt, move.
• When signaled, move.
• When you hear five short blasts (the danger signal), move immediately.
• ...and take tour anchoring equipment with you if possible.

Feedback: Please address any feedback, corrections or leasons learned to Daren Lewis,
[email protected] 503.358.9565 (mobile)

Division 7 Mission Job Aid: Make Way Education 4