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Since humans first paddled across a swollen river clinging to a log we have been interested in boats and boating. As boats evolved so did courtesies, customs, and traditions.
Boating is immensely pleasurable but it is stressful. You must keep a 360 degree watch around your vessel as well as above and below. You have to deal with the constantly changing elements of air and water. You have to deal with sometimes temperamental mechanical or manual devices.
No matter how long you have been boating there is always that tense feeling when you are out there on your own - If this feeling ever goes away, you should probably take up golf. Whether underway, anchoring, mooring, docking at a marina or cruising with friends, don't add to the stress of your boating neighbour by ignoring custom and tradition.
The rules of the road (waterways) dictate how you operate your vessel underway in order to prevent collision. They dictate certain rules with regard to right-ofway, buoyage markers, wake and such. Boating etiquette or courtesy dictates how you relate to others when no danger of collision exists. Here are some examples:
When cruising:
* When overtaking a slower vessel in open water, do...