Boating etiquette is partly about law (COLREGS—the rules of the road) and partly about culture (the unwritten ways boaters treat each other). Breaking the law puts people in danger. Breaking etiquette makes you unpopular and earns you a reputation. In a tight community like the Pacific Northwest, your reputation follows you to every marina and anchorage.
COLREGS in Plain English
The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) are the traffic laws of the water. You need a basic understanding. The details are in the USCG exam, but here are the principles that matter every day.
Power Gives Way to Sail
If you’re motoring and see a sailboat, you alter course to avoid them. If you’re sailing and see a powerboat, you hold your course—they’ll move. This rule has exceptions (see below), but it’s the default.
In practice: a powerboat or ferry approaching a sailboat should slow and pass behind, or speed up and pass well ahead. Never cross directly in front of a sailboat.
Overtaking Vessel Keeps Clear
If you’re overtaking another boat (approaching from behind and passing), you must keep clear. You’re responsible for avoiding collision. The boat ahead has the right-of-way.
In practice: don’t come up rapidly on a boat’s stern and expect them to move. Give them time to see you. Signal or radio if you’re uncertain.
Head-On Meeting
If two powerboats are meeting nearly head-on, both should alter course to starboard (right). This keeps both boats from trying to pass on the same side.
In practice: this rarely happens because most boaters see each other well ahead and one naturally slows or turns first. But if you’re uncertain about another boat’s intentions, a quick radio call (“Sailboat, this is the blue powerboat two miles east, I’ll pass on your port side”) prevents collisions.
Narrow Channel Rule
If you’re in a narrow channel (like the approach to a harbor or a main shipping lane), a larger vessel has the right-of-way over smaller vessels. Sailboats should sail in the widest part of the channel, not down the middle. Fishing boats should move aside for freighters.
In practice: if a ferry is approaching head-on in a narrow channel, get out of the way. Ferry captains are experienced, but they have limited ability to maneuver in tight spaces.
Visibility and Lights
At night and in fog, you are invisible without proper lights. The rules require:
- Power vessels: running lights (port, starboard, stern) from sunset to sunrise and in restricted visibility
- Sailboats under 7 meters: same lights, or at minimum a white flashlight or lantern
- Anchored vessels: a white all-around light or a light at the bow and stern (depending on length)
In practice: don’t turn off your running lights if you’re motoring at dusk or in fog. Don’t anchor at night without a light. Many collisions happen because someone wasn’t showing lights or wasn’t looking for them.
VHF Radio Etiquette
VHF radios are essential for marine communication in the PNW, but they’re often used badly.
Channel 16: Distress and Hailing Only
Channel 16 is monitored by Coast Guard and most vessels. It’s for emergencies (“Mayday”) and hailing (“Good Samaritan, this is Seawolf, do you copy?” to establish contact). Once you establish contact, you move to a working channel.
Never chat on Channel 16. Never give your life story on 16. Just hail, establish contact, and switch channels.
In practice: if you want to talk to another boat, say “Sailboat with blue hull, this is the red powerboat, do you copy?” When they respond, say “Let’s switch to Channel 12” and move to a secondary channel for conversation.
Working Channels
Channels 9, 12, 13, and 68 are common working channels where boaters have conversations:
- Channel 9: standard recreational use
- Channel 12: sometimes busy with commercial traffic
- Channel 13: often ship traffic
- Channel 68: private cruising conversations
If you’re calling a marina, check your chart or guide for their assigned channel.
What NOT to Do
- Don’t use excessive profanity on radio (though mild words happen)
- Don’t broadcast fishing spots or sensitive information
- Don’t radio constantly about unimportant things
- Don’t use the radio to show off technical knowledge
- Don’t transmit on high power in close quarters (medium or low power is sufficient nearby)
In Practice
Radio discipline is part of being a professional boater. Listen before transmitting. Keep transmissions brief and clear. Use radio etiquette: “Salish Sea Fuel Dock, this is the sailboat Wanderer, hailing on 16, switching 12” (short, professional, moves to a working channel). Response: “Wanderer, Salish Sea, channel 12.” Then continue on 12.
Anchoring Etiquette
Anchorages are crowded in summer, especially in the San Juans. Thoughtful anchoring keeps relationships peaceful.
Scope and Swinging Room
Scope is the ratio of anchor line to water depth. Good practice is 5:1 in soft bottom, 7:1 in hard bottom. A boat anchored with proper scope needs room to swing on its anchor as wind and tide shift. Never anchor so close to another boat that they’ll hit you as tide changes.
In practice: when you arrive at a crowded anchorage like Roche Harbor, identify where other boats are anchored. Note the direction of wind and tide. Anchor upwind or uptide of existing boats, leaving plenty of room for swing. If you’re tight, reset your anchor further away.
Arriving Late
If you arrive at a crowded anchorage in late afternoon, accept that the best spot is taken. Anchor where it’s safe, even if it’s not ideal. Attempting to squeeze into a tight spot because you want a better view is dangerous and inconsiderate.
Quiet Hours
Anchorages have quiet hours, usually 10 PM to 8 AM. Minimize noise: don’t run generators, avoid shouting, keep music and deck games quiet. If you have guests arriving by dinghy at night, brief them to be quiet. Voices carry far over water at night.
Dinghies and Dock Lines
Secure your dinghy so it doesn’t bang against your boat or nearby boats. Don’t tie it to other people’s vessels. Keep dock lines neat and not blocking access to other boats. If your rode (anchor line) is a concern to neighbors, offer to move.
Marina and Dock Courtesy
Speed Limits
Most marinas enforce 5-knot or no-wake speed. Enforce this on yourself. Creating a wake in a marina damages boats and annoys everyone. Slow down, even if you’re in a hurry.
Holding Tanks and Heads
Modern boats have holding tanks for sewage. Use yours. Don’t overboard pump or create an environmental hazard. Marinas have pump-out stations—use them. If you see someone overboard pumping, casually mention where the pump-out station is. No confrontation needed.
Dock Lines and Cleats
Keep your dock lines properly secured to your boat and the dock. Don’t leave lines lying around creating trip hazards. Don’t use someone else’s dinghy, dock box, or equipment without permission.
Guest Moorage
If you’re visiting a marina and need a dock or mooring, follow the harbormaster’s instructions carefully. Pay attention to where you’re assigned and don’t move to a “better” spot without permission. Be ready to move quickly if you’re asked. Be grateful for what you’re given.
Passing Ferries and Shipping Lanes
Puget Sound has heavy marine traffic: ferries, container ships, and tankers. Ferries run on fixed routes and schedules. Shipping lanes are designed so large vessels have predictable paths.
Ferry Etiquette
Ferries are massive and move on schedules. If you see a ferry coming, get out of the way. Don’t try to cross in front of one at the last second. Ferries have right-of-way, and they’re operated by professionals who respect the rules but can’t do miracles if you put yourself in danger.
In practice: if a ferry is approaching, listen on Channel 16 or call the ferry’s working channel to confirm their course, or simply slow and let them pass. Most ferry captains appreciate courtesy.
Shipping Lanes
Look at your chart for traffic separation schemes (the painted highways of the shipping lanes). These are where big commercial vessels run. Don’t anchor in them, and don’t loiter across them. Cargo ships can’t steer like your boat.
Waving and Radio Courtesy
The maritime community is small, especially in the PNW. Wave to other boaters. If you use the radio to call for help, people respond—and then they follow your story. Treat other boaters like neighbors because they are.
Radio courtesy creates a culture where people help each other. A boater who’s rude on the radio will be remembered and people will be less willing to help if they’re in trouble. A boater who’s courteous earns goodwill that lasts years.
The Golden Rule of Boating
The fastest way to be disliked in your local anchorage is to ignore other people’s space and comfort. The fastest way to be trusted is to treat other boaters—whether they’re professional captains or weekend explorers—with respect and consideration.
You’ll run into the same people repeatedly at marinas, fuel docks, and anchorages. Build a good reputation. Follow the rules because they keep everyone safe. Be courteous because courtesy costs nothing but earns everything in a tight community like the Pacific Northwest.