From Martin Bartholomew – one of our instructors.

Rule of the Road for Day Skippers and Yachtmasters.
(for vessels in sight of one another) �
                             �
Keep a look out at all times;
See a ship, and do your rhymes.

If the bearing does not change,
Then action’s needed (at long range).

Give-way vessel moves away;
Stand-on vessel should not sway.

………………..

There’s an order for “who’s best”:
Power, sail, fishing – then the rest.

They all yield to each of these:
NUCS and RAMS and CBDs.

Big ship channels are what they say;
Don’t impede if you go that way.
�
………………

Green-to-green or red-to-red,
Perfect safety – go ahead.

If red and green you see ahead,
Then starboard wheel and show your red.
If a red light does appear,
It is your duty to keep clear.

If it’s green, the task is hers;
Don’t alter course/speed, or reverse

Overtaking someone slower,
She’s more helpless; we move over 

……………

Two sailing boats on collision track
Give way according to their tack.

If she’s on starboard, we’re on port
The problem is for us to sort

Both same tack? The one to windward
Gives way to lee boat; she’s more hindered.

……………

Keep a look out at all times;
See a ship, and do your rhymes.

But there’s no such thing as “Right of Way;”
We must all take care at the end of the day.

 For more about collision regulations and rules of the road take a Day Skipper shorebased course