23-2-524. Passing rule and right-of-way. (1) When two vessels are approaching each other “head on” or nearly so (so as to involve risk of collision), each vessel shall bear to the right and pass the other vessel on its left side.

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Terms Used In Montana Code 23-2-524

  • Motorboat: means a vessel, including a personal watercraft or pontoon, propelled by any machinery, motor, or engine of any description, whether or not the machinery, motor, or engine is the principal source of propulsion. See Montana Code 23-2-502
  • Sailboat: means a vessel that uses a sail and wind as its primary source of propulsion. See Montana Code 23-2-502
  • Vessel: means every description of watercraft, unless otherwise defined by the department, other than a seaplane on the water, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water. See Montana Code 23-2-502

(2)When vessels approach each other obliquely or at right angles, the vessel approaching on the right side has the right-of-way.

(3)One vessel may overtake another on either side but shall grant right-of-way to the overtaken vessel.

(4)When a sailboat and motorboat are operating as to involve a risk of collision with each other, the motorboat shall yield the right-of-way to the sailboat in all cases.