Understanding the Rules of the Road is essential to making safe, predictable decisions on the water.

This classroom-based ASA 111 Speciality Clinic course provides a focused review of the navigation rules that govern interactions between sailboats, powerboats and other vessels. Rather than simply memorizing rules, students will work through practical scenarios and learn how to recognize developing situations, determine each vessel’s responsibilities and take appropriate action to avoid a collision.

You’ll also learn the correct terminology behind commonly used phrases such as “right of way.” The rules formally identify vessels as stand-on or give-way vessels, while still requiring everyone involved to remain alert and take action when necessary to prevent a collision.

This course is taught entirely on dry land. There is no on-the-water portion.

What You’ll Learn

Throughout the course, you’ll learn how to:

• Understand the responsibilities shared by all vessel operators
• Maintain a proper lookout and determine a safe operating speed
• Recognize when a risk of collision exists
• Identify stand-on and give-way vessels
• Apply the rules for crossing situations
• Apply the rules for head-on situations
• Apply the rules for overtaking situations
• Understand right-of-way rules between sailing vessels
• Understand interactions between sailboats and power-driven vessels
• Recognize vessels that are not under command or restricted in their ability to maneuver
• Understand the responsibilities of vessels engaged in fishing
• Apply the rules for narrow channels and traffic-separation areas
• Recognize common navigation lights and their vessel configurations
• Interpret day shapes displayed by different vessels
• Understand maneuvering and warning sound signals
• Apply the rules during restricted visibility
• Recognize important differences between Inland and International Rules
• Decide when action is required, even when operating as the stand-on vessel
• Use practical scenarios to improve judgment and decision-making

Prerequisites

To be certified students must hold:

ASA 101 Keelboat Sailing 1

This course is ideal for sailors who want to refresh their knowledge, prepare for more advanced sailing courses or feel more confident interpreting vessel interactions on busy waterways.

What’s Included

Course tuition includes:

• Live, instructor-led Rules of the Road instruction
• Classroom presentations and guided discussion
• Practical vessel-interaction scenarios
• Navigation light and day-shape exercises
• Sound-signal review
• Course handouts and reference materials
• ASA 111 Speciality Clinic certification upon successful completion of the course requirements
• No separate textbook is required. All necessary course handouts and materials will be provided

Location

To be announced in Milwaukee, WI

Course Tuition

$197.00 per student

Format: This is a one-day course, 8:30am – 4:00pm, and is taught entirely on dry land in a classroom setting.

There is no on-the-water portion of this course.

Learn to recognize developing situations sooner, understand what every vessel is expected to do and make safer, more confident decisions on the water.