AhaBulbStuff Everyone Should Know
AhaBulb: Stuff Everyone Should Know · ahabulb.com/boat-narrow-channel-keep-starboard

Traveling along a narrow channel, which side should you keep to?

The starboard (right) side of the channel.

Start playing free

  1. The middle
  2. The port (left) side
  3. The starboard (right) side ✔

Why: Inland Rule 9 says a vessel in a narrow channel keeps as near to the outer edge on her starboard side as is safe and practicable. Boats under 20 meters must not block vessels that need the channel.

Huh, didn't know that: Rule 9 also says to avoid anchoring in a narrow channel whenever you can.

The dad joke
Why did the boat stay right in the channel? It didn't want to be in the wrong lane.
Like this card?
Play the game

References

Answer: The starboard (right) side. Inland Rule 9 says a vessel in a narrow channel keeps as near to the outer edge on her starboard side as is safe and practicable. Boats under 20 meters must not block vessels that need the channel.

  1. 33 CFR 83.09 Narrow channels, Inland Rule 9 (eCFR) www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/section-83.09
    shall keep as near to the outer limit of the channel or fairway which lies on her starboard side as is safe and practicable.
    Checked 2026-10-08.

Think this answer is wrong? Tap "Challenge this answer" on the card in the game and tell us why.

Test yourself in the game

Boating & WaterIn a narrow channel, what must a small boat do when a big ship can only travel inside that channel?Boating & WaterNearing a blind bend in a channel, what sound signal should you give?Boating & WaterWhere does the Coast Guard warn boaters not to stop or anchor?

That's stuff everyone should know.