-
You
must always try to avoid a collision regardless of the "rules
of the road." "I had the right of way" isn't
a lot of use if there was something you could have done
to avoid the other boat.
-
You
must observe the speed limit on the canal - if pedestrians
on the towpath are overtaking you, then you're not speeding,
if you are leaving them behind, then you are; you should
also leave minimal or no wake.
-
Narrowboats
and other river traffic going in opposite directions pass
port to port (that is, left side to left side.) This is
contrary to the way road traffic travels in the UK. Both
boats should slow down as they pass.
-
Sometimes
passing on the right is impossible, e.g. if a boat is being
towed from the tow path. In this case the correct procedure
is to sound two short blasts of your horn as a warning that
you intend to pass on the 'wrong' (left) side.
-
Boats
being overtaken have the right of way over the overtaking
vessel, so when overtaking slower-moving craft, keep well
clear and pass on the left if possible.
-
When
being overtaken by a faster-moving boat it is considered
good boat etiquette to slow down while the other boat passes
you, even though technically you have right of way (see
above.)
-
You
must avoid anchored, stopped, or moored boats.
-
Give
way to larger boats as they are likely to be less manoeuverable
(not likely to arise on the Spirit of Guiding...!)
-
Strictly
speaking, sail has right of way over power BUT (as a weekend
sailor!) in practice large power boats (e.g. narrowboats)
take a long time to stop or turn and any sensible small-boat
sailor will stay out of their way! You may also encounter
canoes or row-boats on the canal; they also have right of
way but again should have sense to keep out of YOUR way
(but may not!)
-
When
two (or more) boats are waiting to use the same lock from
different directions, the one which would enter the lock
"full" goes first, thus avoiding wasting water.
The other boat(s) should tie up out of the way at the lock
moorings and only move off to enter when the lock is empty.
-
Always
share a lock with other boats if possible. Better to wait
a few minutes than to close the gates on an approaching
boat and waste up to 80,000 gallons or more of water!
-
For
the same reason, always wait your turn at a busy lock. Be
courteous and don't prepare locks ahead of you if you can
see boats coming in the other direction.
-
When
sharing a lock, keep out of the way of the other boat and
don't tie up to it!
-
Always
ensure that all gates and paddles are closed after you leave
a lock, unless you see another boat approaching, in which
case leave the gates open to help them.
-
See
locks for more
information.
-
No movement
is allowed on the Rochdale Canal after dark. Start looking
for a suitable mooring well before dusk.
-
Some
canals do allow movement at night, in which case you must
show lights : white lights front and back, a green light
on the starboard (right) side and a red light on the port
(left) side.
-
Tunnels
: switch on headlight and also some internal lights. Make
sure that additional lighting in the form of a waterproof
torch is available for the person steering.
-
Extinguish
all naked flames except pilot lights. Do not smoke or use
cooking appliances.
-
Sound
one long blast of your horn before entering the tunnel and
listen for other boats' horns - only enter if it is safe
to do so.
-
Check
that there isn't a boat already in the tunnel coming towards
you if it is too narrow for two boats to pass.
-
Ensure
nobody is on the roof or sides of the boat.
-
Tule
Lane tunnel has a bend in it so you will need a bow lookout
