What is the primary purpose of the Navigation Rules?

The primary purpose of the Navigation Rules is to prevent collisions at sea and ensure safe navigation. These rules, which are established internationally and followed by vessels in various waters, provide guidelines for how vessels should behave in different situations. They dictate responsibilities for vessels under various circumstances, helping to clarify right of way and establishing protocols that promote safe interactions between diverse types of watercraft. This is essential to maintaining safety on the water, preventing accidents, and ensuring that all vessels can navigate effectively and efficiently.

While recreational boating and commercial fishing might be impacted by these rules, they are secondary to the overarching goal of safety and the prevention of collisions, which applies universally to all maritime traffic.