Over the ages, boaters have developed ways of operating their crafts that allow them to get where they want to be while respecting others on the water. A good boater wouldn't dream of piloting his craft while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Make sure there is a life jacket onboard for every passenger and have children wear them at all times, even when the boat is not underway. Boating at night requires special considerations. Lights on boats let other boaters know at a glance where other boats are and which direction they are facing.
Common sense is the basis for most of the rules of the water.
Sailboats under sail generally have the right of way because they can't maneuver as quickly as a motorboat. A wise pilot realizes that the same is true of barges and keeps well out of their way. The barge pilot's blind spot can extend for hundreds of feet in front of the vessel, and once they are lined up and committed to a lock, it's almost impossible for them to stop. A barge can create turbulence hundreds of yards behind them, so give them a wide berth. To learn the rules of the water, take a Coast Guard Boating Course.