625 ILCS 45/5-13
2021 Illinois Compiled Statutes|Chapter 625 - VEHICLES|625 ILCS 45/ - Boat Registration and Safety Act.|Article V - Operation Of Motorboats

 (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 315-8)(Text of Section before amendment by P.A. 102-595)Sec. 5-13.     Traffic rules.     A.  Passing.  When 2 boats are approaching each other "head on" or  nearly so (so as to involve risk of collision), each boat must bear to the  right and pass the other boat on its left side.B.  Crossing. When boats approach each other obliquely or at right  angles, the boat approaching on the right side has the right of way.C.  Overtaking. One boat may overtake another on either side but must  grant right of way to the overtaken boat.D.  Sailboats and Rowboats. When a motorboat is approaching a boat  propelled solely by sails or oars, the motorboat must yield the right of  way to the sailboat or rowboat except, when a large craft is navigating in  a confined channel, the large craft has the right of way over a boat  propelled solely by oars or sails.    (Source: P.A. 82-783.)(Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 102-595)Sec. 5-13. Traffic rules.A. The area straight ahead of a vessel to the point that is 22.5 degrees beyond the middle of the vessel on the starboard side of the watercraft shall be designated the danger zone. An operator of a watercraft shall yield the right-of-way to any other watercraft occupying or entering into the danger zone that may result in collision.A-5. Head-on situation.(1)   If 2 power-driven vessels are meeting head-on     or nearly head-on courses so as to involve risk of collision, each shall alter course to starboard so that each shall pass on the port side of the other.(2)   A vessel proceeding along the course of a     narrow channel or canal shall keep as near to the outer limit of the channel or canal that lies on the starboard side as is safe and practicable.(3)   A power-driven vessel operating in narrow     channels and proceeding downstream shall have the right-of-way over a vessel proceeding upstream. The vessel proceeding upstream shall yield as necessary to permit safe passing.B.  Crossing. As used in this Section, "crossing" means 2 or more watercraft traveling in directions that would have the path of travel of the watercraft intersect each other.(1)   If 2 power-driven vessels are crossing so as to     involve the risk of collision, the vessel that has the other on the starboard side shall keep out of the way and shall avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel.(2)   A power-driven vessel crossing a river shall     keep out of the way of a power-driven vessel ascending or descending the river.(3)   A vessel may not cross a narrow channel or     canal if the crossing impedes the passage of a vessel that can only safely navigate within the channel or canal.C.  Overtaking.(1) A vessel overtaking any other shall give way to     the vessel being overtaken.(2) If a vessel operator is in doubt as to whether he     or she is overtaking another vessel, the operator shall assume he or she is overtaking the other vessel and shall act accordingly.(3) Any subsequent alteration of the bearing between     the 2 vessels shall not make the overtaking vessel a crossing vessel within the meaning of this Section or relieve the overtaking operator of the duty to keep clear of the overtaken vessel until finally past and clear.(4) When overtaking in a narrow channel or canal, the     operator of a power-driven vessel intending to overtake another power-driven vessel shall proceed to pass safety only after indicating his or her intention by sounding the horn as follows:(a) one short blast from the horn signifies a         request to pass on the overtaken vessel's starboard side;(b) 2 short blasts from the horn signify a         request to pass on the overtaken vessel's port side.(5) The operator of the power-driven vessel being     overtaken shall:(a) acknowledge the request by sounding the same         signal; or(b) sound 5 short blasts from the horn to         indicate danger or to warn the overtaking vessel not to pass.No response from the overtaken vessel shall be     interpreted as an indication of danger and is the same as if 5 short blasts from the horn were sounded. In the absence of an audible signal or horn, a light signal device using the appropriate number of rapid bursts of light may be used.D.  Sailing vessels.(1) The operator of a power-driven vessel shall yield     the right-of-way to any nonpowered or sailing vessel unless the nonpowered vessel is overtaking the power-driven vessel or when a large craft is navigating in a confined channel, the large craft has the right-of-way over a boat propelled solely by oars or sails.(2) If 2 sailing vessels are approaching one another,     so as to involve risk of collision, one of them shall keep out of the way of the other as follows:(a)   If each has the wind on a different side,         the vessel that has the wind on the port side shall give way to the other vessel.(b)   If both have the wind on the same side, the         vessel that is to windward shall give way to the vessel that is to leeward.(c)   If a vessel with the wind on the port side         sees a vessel to windward and cannot determine with certainty whether the other vessel has the wind on the port or starboard side, the vessel shall give way to the other vessel. (Source: P.A. 102-595, eff. 6-1-22.)