The Collision Regulations stipulate that in all pleasure craft and vessels, someone must be on watch, at all times, for other vessels or pleasure crafts in order to prevent a collision between two or more pleasure crafts. At all times the pleasure craft's operator must have a clear view of the waters that he/she is navigating on. It is up to the operator of a pleasure craft to know and apply the International Regulations for preventing collisions at sea, and the Canadian modifications upon the high seas, and in all waters connected therein, which are navigable by vessels.
Any vessel overtaking any other vessel shall keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken. When a vessel is in any doubt as to whether she is overtaking another, she shall assume that this is the case and act accordingly.
Any alteration of course and/or speed to avoid collision must be important (noticable) enough to be easily seen by another vessel observing by sight or radar; a succession of small changes of course and/or speed, should be avoided.
Action taken to avoid collision with another vessel shall be to result in passing at a safe distance. This action will be taken in such a manner to be effective and safe, until the time that the other vessel is finally past and clear.
If necessary, a vessel shall reduce her speed to avoid collision with an other vessel.
When two power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, the vessel which has the other on her own starboard side shall keep out of the way and shall, if such are the circumstances, avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel.
Every give-way vessel which is directed to keep out of the way of a stand-on vessel shall, so far as possible, take early and substantial action to keep well clear.
When one of two vessels is to keep out of the way, the other shall maintain her course and speed. The latter vessel may however take action to avoid collision, if it becomes clear to her that the vessel which should be keeping out of the way is not taking appropriate action.
