A sailboat may have one or more sails up and the engine on at the same time, which makes her a power-driven vessel. Under Rule 25 of the International and Inland Navigation Rules “a vessel proceeding under sail when also being propelled by machinery shall exhibit forward where it can best be seen, a conical shape, apex downwards.” Under the Inland Rules a vessel less than 12m/39.4ft is not required to exhibit the cone, but may display it. The text of rules 25 is available at www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=navRulesContent.
How often do you see a motorsailing vessel displaying a cone? Without the cone, nearby boaters may assume the boat is a sailboat and follow the Rules of the Road for encountering a sailboat. If the motorsailing boat follows power-driven vessel rules, because the skipper knows that the engine is on, this may cause unexpected actions that confuse other boaters. In a close-quarters situation it could be dangerous. Sailboat operators, please buy a cone or drag it out of your locker and use it when motorsailing.
How often do you see a motorsailing vessel displaying a cone? Without the cone, nearby boaters may assume the boat is a sailboat and follow the Rules of the Road for encountering a sailboat. If the motorsailing boat follows power-driven vessel rules, because the skipper knows that the engine is on, this may cause unexpected actions that confuse other boaters. In a close-quarters situation it could be dangerous. Sailboat operators, please buy a cone or drag it out of your locker and use it when motorsailing.
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