Rowers should give way

CONCERNING the email by Chris Hutchins telling of the behaviour of rowers on the Soar, Rod Fox writes:

Quote from Collision Regulations: 'ANY VESSEL overtaking any other shall keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken'.

This means any rowing boat or sailing boat overtaking a power boat. Racing makes no difference.

Not impede passage

Quote: 'A vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate within a narrow channel'.

This means a river. Rowing boats coming towards you say two abreast up or down river cannot block the width of the river so they have to give you space.

These Rules shall apply to all vessels upon the high seas and in all waters connected therewith navigable.  This means rivers unless CaRT have byelaws to amend the rules.

These two rules came before those that say power gives way to sailing boats and rowing boats.