BOATsmart! Base de connaissances du Canada 

First, you should become familiar with right-of-way terminology:

STAND-ON CRAFT:
Boats with the right-of-way are called ‘stand-on craft’. Stand-on craft are able to maintain speed and direction when approaching other vessels.

GIVE-WAY CRAFT:
Boats that do not have the right-of-way are called ‘give-way craft’. Give-way craft must take early and substantial action to steer clear of stand-on craft, altering speed and direction to avoid a collision.

Several factors determine which craft has the right-of-way:

1. The type of craft you’re operating
2. The type of craft you’re approaching
3. The position and direction from which other craft are approaching
4. The type of waterway on which you’re operating