971.08 OPERATING REGULATIONS; RISK OF COLLISION; RIGHT OF WAY.

   The following rules for preventing collisions shall be followed in the navigation of all public and private watercraft operating upon the waters of the City:

   (a)    Every watercraft which is under way propelled by sail alone shall be considered a sailboat. Every watercraft which is under way propelled by sail and machinery shall be considered a powercraft. Every watercraft shall be considered under way when it is not at anchor or made fast to the shore or aground. In addition to any other situation, "risk of collision", shall be determined to exist whenever the compass bearing of the approaching watercraft remains substantially the same.

   (b)    When two sailboats are approaching one another so as to involve the risk of collision, one of them shall yield the right of way to the other, as follows, namely:

      (1)    A sailboat which is running free shall yield the right of way to the sailboat which is close-hauled.

      (2)    A sailboat which is close-hauled on the port tack shall yield the right of way to a sailboat which is close-hauled on the starboard tack.

      (3)    When both sailboats are running free, with the wind on different sides, the sailboat which has the wind on the port side shall yield the right of way to the other.

      (4)    When both sailboats are running free, with the wind on the same side, the sailboat which is to the windward shall yield the right of way to the sailboat which is to the leeward.

   (c)    When two powercraft are meeting end on, or nearly end on, so as to involve the risk of collision, each shall alter its course to starboard, so that each shall pass the other on the port side of the other.

   (d)   When two powercraft are crossing at right angles or obliquely, so as to involve the risk of collision, the powercraft which has the other on its own starboard side shall yield the right of way to the other.

   (e)    When a powercraft and a sailboat are proceeding in such directions as to involve the risk of collision, the powercraft shall yield the right of way to the sailboat, except when the sailboat is overtaking the powercraft.

   (f)    Every watercraft which is directed by these rules to yield the right of way to another watercraft shall, on approaching such other watercraft, if necessary, slacken its speed, stop, reverse or alter course. Where, by any of the rules prescribed by this chapter one of two watercraft shall yield the right of way, the other shall keep its course and speed.

   (g)    Notwithstanding anything contained in these rules, every watercraft overtaking another shall yield the right of way to the overtaken watercraft. Every watercraft coming up with another watercraft from any direction more than twenty-two and one-half degrees abaft the other's beam, that is, at such a position with reference to the watercraft which it is overtaking that at night it would be unable to see either of the other's side or combination bow lights is an overtaking watercraft; and no subsequent alteration of bearing between the two watercraft shall make the overtaking watercraft a crossing watercraft within the meaning of these rules, or relieve it of the duty of keeping clear of the overtaken watercraft until it is finally passed and clear. If the overtaking watercraft is in doubt as to whether it is forward of or abaft this direction from the other watercraft, it should assume that it is an overtaking watercraft and yield the right of way.

   (h)    In rivers and streams or other areas in which there is a water current, the descending watercraft shall have the right of way over a watercraft which is ascending.

   (i)    When a powercraft and a rowboat are proceeding in such direction as to involve the risk of collision, the powercraft shall yield the right of way to the rowboat.

   (j)    Watercraft leaving a dock, boat slip or tie-up space shall yield the right of way to all watercraft approaching such dock, boat slip or tie-up space.

   (k)    At all times the operator of a watercraft shall maintain a proper lookout required by the ordinary practice of seamen and by the special circumstances of the case.

   (l)    In obeying and construing these rules, due regard shall be given to all dangers of navigation and collision and to any special circumstances which may render a departure from the above rules necessary in order to avoid immediate danger.