The rules prescribed by this section for preventing collisions shall govern the operation of all vessels on state and federal waters. In construing the provisions of this section, risk of collision shall be deemed to exist when the compass bearing between approaching vessels does not appreciably change.
(1) When vessels approach each other end on, or nearly so, each shall pass on the port side of the other, except that, if the courses of such vessels are so far to the starboard of each other as not to be considered approaching end on and altering course would create a hazard, each shall keep out of the way of the other and pass on the starboard side of the other.
(2) When vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, the vessel which has the other on her starboard side shall keep out of the way of the other, except that in such a situation a motorboat shall keep out of the way of a sailboat.
(3) When sailboats are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, one of them shall keep out of the way of the other as follows: (A) A sailboat running free shall keep out of the way of a sailboat which is close-hauled. (B) A sailboat which is close-hauled on the port tack shall keep out of the way of a sailboat which is close-hauled on the starboard tack. (C) When two sailboats are running free with the wind on different sides, the sailboat which has the wind on the port side shall keep out of the way of the other. (D) When two sailboats are running free with the wind on the same side, the sailboat which is to the windward shall keep out of the way of the other.
(4) Every vessel overtaking another vessel shall keep out of the way of the overtaken vessel. Any person operating a vessel shall not follow another vessel more closely than is reasonable and prudent and shall have regard for prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to not create a risk of collision.
(5) Every vessel which is required by these rules to keep out of the way of another vessel, on approaching such other vessel, shall slacken speed, stop, reverse or alter course as necessary and, as circumstances permit, avoid crossing ahead of or hazarding the other vessel. The other vessel shall maintain her course and speed.
(6) In obeying and construing these rules, regard shall be had to all dangers of navigation and collision and any special circumstances which may render a departure from these rules necessary in order to avoid immediate danger. For the purposes of this subsection, following too closely to avoid collision with another vessel shall be considered a violation.
(7) The operator of a vessel shall at all times maintain a proper lookout required by the ordinary practice of seamen and by the special circumstances of the case.
(8) Violation of any provision of this section shall be an infraction.
(1961, P.A. 520, S. 11; P.A. 76-381, S. 22; P.A. 94-188, S. 13; P.A. 99-219, S. 1, 3.)
History: P.A. 76-381 added Subsec. (h) making violation an infraction; P.A. 94-188 changed Subsecs. (a) to (h), inclusive, to Subdivs. (1) to (8), inclusive, and in the new Subdiv. (3), changed the Subdivs. to Subparas; P.A. 99-219 made section applicable to federal waters and added provisions in Subdivs. (4) and (6) re following too closely to avoid collision, effective July 1, 1999.
Structure Connecticut General Statutes
Title 15 - Navigation and Aeronautics
Section 15-121. - Administrative procedure.
Section 15-122 and 15-123. - Appointment and organization of commission. Director; employees.
Section 15-124. - Investigations. Hearings.
Section 15-126. - Determination of validity of regulations.
Section 15-127. - Definitions.
Section 15-129. - Safety and equipment requirements for vessels. Regulation of motorboat noise.
Section 15-129a. - Required and authorized lights.
Section 15-130. - Modification or suspension of requirements.
Section 15-130a. - Powers of officers re vessel in unsafe condition.
Section 15-131. - Rules for preventing collisions.
Section 15-132. - Procedure in case of collision or accident.
Section 15-132a. - Manslaughter in the second degree with a vessel.
Section 15-133a. - Safety controls on the Housatonic River.
Section 15-133c. - When boating safety certificate required upon violation of safety rules.
Section 15-134. - Water skiing. Jumps and courses for skiers and vessels.
Section 15-135. - Position of scuba divers to be marked. Safe operating distance for vessels.
Section 15-136. - Ordinances and regulations.
Section 15-136a. - Compliance with certain engine size requirements.
Section 15-137. - Enforcement.
Section 15-138. - Publication of laws, regulations and ordinances.
Section 15-140. - Special acts and ordinances superseded.
Section 15-140d. - Obstruction to navigation or public use of waters prohibited. Remedies.
Section 15-140e. - Safe boating certificate. Safe water skiing endorsement.
Section 15-140g. - Safe boating certificate to be carried on board vessel. Penalty.
Section 15-140i. - Suspension of certificate of boating operation. Regulations.
Section 15-140k. - Reckless operation of a vessel in the first degree.
Section 15-140m. - Reckless operation of a vessel in the second degree.
Section 15-140o. - Seizure of vessel.
Section 15-140p. - Fines deposited in Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund.
Section 15-140t. - Immunity of person taking sample.
Section 15-140u. - Blood sample of body of deceased person.
Section 15-141. - Definitions.
Section 15-143. - Exceptions to numbering and registration requirements.
Section 15-144a. - Provision of information re registrants to tax assessors.
Section 15-145a. - Marine dealer's registration numbers for boat trailers.
Section 15-146. - Notice of change of address.
Section 15-148. - Duplicate certificate.
Section 15-149. - Accident reports.
Section 15-149a. - Reporting of accidents. Responsibilities of towboat operators.
Section 15-150. - Rental of vessels. Boat livery requirements.
Section 15-151. - Records of Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. Remission and report of fees.
Section 15-152. - False statement, penalty.
Section 15-154a. - Town marine officers and auxiliaries.
Section 15-154b. - Violation on waters between towns.
Section 15-154c. - Attachment of property of town marine officer prohibited.
Section 15-157. - Special acts and ordinances superseded.
Section 15-170. - Discharge of sewage from vessels: Definitions.
Section 15-171. - Discharge within no discharge zone prohibited.
Section 15-172. - Provision of pump-out facilities.
Section 15-174. - Regulations.
Section 15-175. - Penalty for misuse of or failure to equip vessel with marine sanitation device.
Section 15-176. - Reasonable time for compliance with requirement or order.