Usually, yes: under COLREGs Rule 18 a power-driven vessel keeps out of the way of a sailing vessel. The main exceptions are when the sailing boat is overtaking, or when she would impede a ship in a narrow channel.
The collision regulations (the COLREGs, applied in New Zealand through Maritime Rules Part 22) do not really give anyone "right of way". They say which vessel must keep out of the way, the give-way vessel, and which must hold her course and speed, the stand-on vessel.
Rule 18 sets out a general order. A power-driven vessel under way keeps out of the way of:
- a vessel not under command (one that cannot manoeuvre, for example after a breakdown);
- a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre (such as a dredger or a tug with a tow);
- a vessel engaged in fishing with nets or trawls (not someone trolling a line);
- a sailing vessel.
A sailing vessel in turn keeps out of the way of the first three.
There are important exceptions, which override Rule 18:
- Overtaking (Rule 13): a sailing boat overtaking a motor boat must keep clear of it.
- Narrow channels (Rule 9): a sailing vessel must not impede a vessel that can navigate safely only within the channel. In practice this means ships, and often large ferries.
- Engine on: a sailing boat using her engine counts as a power-driven vessel, even with the sails up.
Even when you are the stand-on vessel, you must still act to avoid a collision if the other boat is not keeping clear (Rule 17). A small motor boat may not have seen you, especially if your sails are between you and her, so watch the other boat and be ready to take action yourself.
More in the book: Chapter 13, The rules of the road
More about rules of the road
- Is a sailboat with its engine running a power-driven vessel?
- Which sailing boat gives way, port tack or starboard tack?
- What is the windward boat rule in sailing?
- Who gives way when one boat overtakes another?
- What is a give-way vessel and a stand-on vessel?
- How do you tell if you are on a collision course with another boat?