Such a duel between two boat captains recently took place on Lake Michigan when two large powerboats collided, nearly splitting one vessel in half. According to Coast Guard reports the two boats collided one nautical mile southwest of Saugatuck Michigan around 7:25 p.m. Weather conditions at the time were one-foot seas with eight miles visibility.

The larger boat, a 58-foot SeaRay, struck a smaller 42-foot Wellcraft broadside. Two people aboard the Wellcraft were seriously injured; four others were transported to the hospital with lesser injuries. In all, 15 people were involved in the two-boat collision. The Wellcraft later sank when it was separated from the larger SeaRay. Although the cause of the accident is under investigation, it’s safe to assume that one (or both) vessels was in serious violation of the rules of the road. It’s apparent that since the SeaRay hit the Wellcraft broadside both boats were facing a crossing situation.

A crossing situation exists between two boats when they approach from dead ahead to a point 22.5 degrees behind the port or starboard beam. This 112.5 degree area from the bow to abaft the beam is called the danger zone. Specific rules address this zone and are very clear as to which boat has the right of way over the other. Basically the rule states that when two boats under power cross each other’s paths at an angle (within the 112.5-degree danger zone), the boat with the approaching boat on its starboard side must give way and pass astern. This rule is similar to the rules governing automobiles at a four way stop. A driver must give the right-of-way to the automobile to its right when both approach the intersection at the same time.

At night, if you see a red sidelight of another boat you must give way since that boat is to your right and within the danger zone. Just remember a red light means stop.

There was another rule at play in the powerboat collision and that was Rule 6, which addresses safe speed. The rule reads: "Every vessel shall at all times proceed at a safe speed so that she can take proper and effective action to avoid collision and be stopped with a distance appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions." These conditions include visibility, vessel traffic density, at night background light such as from shore lights, weather conditions, and depth of water.

Safe speed applies especially at night and in restricted visibility. It has been my experience that entrances to harbor mouths along Lake Michigan and channels leading into inland lakes offer dark voids at night made worse by distant background lights that distract the eye. Under these conditions fisherman in small boats take great risk when they turn off their navigation lights, especially their all-round white light, in order to save their battery. Often I come across these phantom boaters who instantly light up when I light them up with the blue law enforcement light.

Because they are in violation of the law does not necessary exonerate a boater who runs into them at night. It brings us back to Rule 6 and safe speed for prevailing conditions. And if that rule doesn’t hold up in court, then Rule 5 will definitely find attorney’s flipping pages. Rule 5 reads: "Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision."

With the large number of recreational boats on the water- Michigan has nearly a million registered recreational boats- the risk of collision is ever present. According to latest Coast Guard figures regarding recreational boating accidents "collisions with Another Vessel" was the most reported type of accident: these accidents resulted in 1,540 injuries and accounted for $8.2 million in property damage.

Make no mistake about it, the "Navigation Rules" primary purpose is to avoid collisions. From my experience, these rules provide a thorough means to do so. As a Coast Guard boat coxswain I know all too well the consequences should I violate these rules. It is no different for a recreational boaterBoat Smart- follow the rules; it is your responsibility.

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Boat Smart is now on the Internet: www.boatsmart.net (includes Lake Michigan water temperatures and local weather).

Use channel 16 for emergencies, and channel 9 for calling fellow boaters.