The U.S. "Rules of the Road" governing navigation lights, vessels meeting or passing, sound signals, distress signals and practical boating etiquette.

The rules of the U. S. Coast Guard governing navigation lights, rules for vessels encountering other vessels and distress signals. For the purpose of the navigation rules, the following definitions apply: Vessel engaged in fishing: Any vessel fishing with nets, lines, trawls, or other fishing equipment that restricts maneuverability; however, does not include a vessel fishing with trolling lines or other fishing equipment that do not restrict manageability Vessels in sight of one another: One vessel can be observed visually from the other Restricted visibility: Any condition in which visibility is restricted by fog, mist, falling snow, heavy rainstorms, sandstorms or any other similar causes Risk of collision: Any situation when an approaching vessel continues on a collision course (the bearing of the approaching vessel does not change), or when you are approaching a very large vessel

The regulations governing the movement of vessels in relation to each other, generally called steering and sailing rules.