Meeting Boats
| Meeting other boaters should be a
pleasurable experience. Always saying hello with a cheery
wave and smile is standard procedure on the
waterways. The normal practice when meeting boats is to slow down a little to reduce the bow wave and pass port side, (left), to port side. However, don't be afraid to pass on the other side if conditions demand such as when leaving locks or when one boat is having difficulty maintaining control. Ensure that signals are given and both parties understand. Sometimes though it can be an unhappy meeting, especially on tight bends or narrow sections of canal. (See also "Bridges and Narrow Aqueducts"). Priority will depend on the nature of the bend or hazard, the effect of wind and water flow and the size of the boat you are meeting. In any event, a Considerate Boater will be the first to give way. Conflict can be avoided completely by approaching all hazards at a speed that allows you to come to a controlled stop without having to use maximum power in reverse. On approaching blind bends and bridges use your horn to give a long warning blast. Do not give a "toot" as you may be mistaken for a car on a road or over the bridge. See "Sound Signals" in the "Boaters' Handbook". (Click to go to the Environment Agency website and download the handbook). |
  
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