By the time you reach Level 2 - Day Skipper you should already know the basic rules about sailing and motor vessels meeting. As one progresses along to AY Yachtmaster Level 3 & 4 a complete understanding must be developed of the relevant rules governing the chosen aspects of your yachting be it motor boating or yacht racing. The diagrams will act as a reminder to some of the basic SY & MY right of way rules and for safety sake a complete set of rules governing your chosen level or type of Pleasure Yachting activity will have to be obtained and adhered to. Local rules and Marine By-laws must also be respected.

Port and starboard

If you are on Port tack (see diagram), either turn behind the other boat (1) or tack (2)

If you are on Starboard tack, keep going. If at the last minute you think the other person hasn't seen you, tack.

The basic principle is that the power driven vessel shall keep out of the way of the sailing vessel, but there are important exceptions to that principle.

A sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a power driven vessel that is navigating within a narrow channel or traffic lane. In practical terms, the only times you are likely to come across ships is when you are sailing in shipping channels, even though they may sometimes seem to be wide-open spaces (Like South East Asia's Straits of Malacca area)

In addition, sailing vessels shall keep out of the way of fishing vessels and other vessels restricted in their ability to maneuver.

ISAF Racing Rules

These are give way rules for when Sailing Yachts meet during racing. Competitors in the sport of sailing are currently governed by the International Sailing Federation - Racing Rules of Sailing 1997-2000 that they are expected to follow and enforce whilst racing. A fundamental and self regulating honesty principle of sportsmanship is that when competitors knowingly break a rule they will promptly take a penalty or retire. Serious racers must become fully conversant with these rules and protest procedures to succeed in their racing endeavors

Disputes or unsettled infringements can be settled by lodging an official protest to the events race committee to solve by conducting an open hearing off all parties concerned. These rules and definitions not only cover the fundamental rules of when yachts meet or pass but also contain guide lines for race committee's on how to organize and conduct yachting events. These rules are upgraded every three years and the recent 1997-2000 upgrade saw a considerable simplification of what was a very complicated and uprightous sport. Safety Prescriptions and Handicap Systems are also available from the ISAF or the representative committee and association and a complete download of the Racing Rules of Sailing is available from their website.

Yacht Ownership Papers, Registration Certificate and Insurance status are the yachts official documents and usually the domain of the Yachts Owner and master. These documents should be available from the broker and builder at the time of purchase when completing Transfers of Ownership and Yacht Registration with local Maritime Authorities. They should be photo copied with the originals laminated with plastic where possible and stored in safe keeping either aboard or at home. Local yachts and cruisers on extended voyages will be asked to produce some or all of these documents in local marinas and foreign ports. They should ensure that they carry a good supply of photocopies as several may often be requested by department officials at each stop.

Having an Official Yacht Stamp fabricated to officially seal or sign your involvement with various government department more inclined to dealing with Shipping Regulations and impressively satisfy the counter clerks request for a 'Stamp Ah!'.