BOATsmart! Base de connaissances du Canada
Module 05 - Navigation & Right-of-way Rules
River Navigation
Operating a pleasure craft or PWC on a river is different than operating on an open waterway. A river presents its own unique hazards and conditions. Some rivers may exhibit strong currents, which can affect your boat’s steering and the predictability of your craft. The water level in a river may also rise or lower more rapidly than an open waterway–exposing trees, rocks, sunken islands and other hazards. Always watch for these types of hazards and the navigation aids that may indicate their position.
Remember:
When approaching a blind turn or a narrow channel, always keep as far to the starboard (right) side of waterway as is safe. Power-driven craft and sailboats less than 20 m in length must give way to less manoeuverable crafts while navigating on a river.
If two vessels approach each other in a narrow channel where tide, river flow, or underwater features create dangerous currents, then the vessel going downstream is automatically afforded the right-of-way.
