Alabama Administrative Code
Title 220 - ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Chapter 220-6 - BOAT REGISTRATION AND NUMBERING
Section 220-6-.07 - Traffic "Rules Of The Road."
Universal Citation: AL Admin Code R 220-6-.07
Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 02, November 27, 2024
(1) The water traffic "Rules of the Road" in the State of Alabama shall be as follows:
(a)
Vessels passing head-on shall keep to the right.
(b) Vessels overtaking another vessel may do
so on either side, but must grant the right-of-way to the vessel being
overtaken.
(c) When vessels are
passing at right angles, the vessel on the left will yield right-of-way to
vessel on the right.
(d) Motor
boats shall yield right-of-way to non-motor powered boats except as follows:
1. When being overtaken by non-powered
vessels.
2. For deep draft vessels
that have to remain in narrow channels.
3. When vessel is towing another
vessel.
(e) Motor boats
must maintain a direct course when passing sail boats.
(f) Any vessel approaching a landing dock or
pier shall yield the right-of-way to any departing vessel.
(g) Any vessel departing shoreline or
tributary shall yield right-of-way to through traffic and vessels approaching
shoreline or tributary.
(h) Vessels
will not abruptly change course without first determining that it can be safely
done without risk of collision with another vessel.
(i) If an operator fails to fully understand
course of an approaching vessel he must slow down immediately to a speed barely
sufficient for steerageway until the other vessel has passed.
(j) Vessels yielding right-of-way shall
reduce speed, stop, reverse, or alter course to avoid collision. Vessel with
right-of-way shall hold course and speed. If there is danger of collision, all
vessels will slow down, stop, or reverse until danger is averted.
(k) Vessels will issue warning signals in fog
or inclement weather.
(l) No
mechanically propelled vessel shall be operated in a circular course around any
other vessel or any person swimming.
(m) In narrow channel, vessels will keep to
the right of mid-channel.
(n)
Vessels approaching or passing another vessel shall be operated in such manner
and at such rate of speed as will not create a hazardous wash or
wake.
(o) No vessel shall obstruct
or interfere with take-off, landing, or taxiing of aircraft.
(p) All vessels shall be operated at
reasonable speeds for given situations and must be under the complete control
of the operator at all times.
(q)
No vessel or person shall obstruct or block navigation channel, entrance to
channel, mooring slip, landing dock, launching ramp, pier or
tributary.
(r) Vessels shall keep
at least 30.5 meters (100 feet) clearance of displayed diver's flag.
(s) Operator must maintain a proper
lookout.
(2) Rule 220-6-.07, as previously promulgated, is hereby expressly repealed in its entirety.
Author: James D. Martin
Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, § 33-5-62; §15 of Act No. 94-652 (Regular Session, 1994).
PENALTY: As provided by §15 of Act No. 94-652 (Regular Session, 1994) and § 33-5-62, Code of Ala. 1975.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Alabama may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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