Vessel making way or under way?
16th February 2023
We get a lot of questions during our classes, but I’d say one of the most frequent ones (generally accompanied by a look of confusion) is, “What is the difference between making way and under way?”
It’s a question that generates a lot of confusion, but with a little bit of clarification, is perfectly understandable.
Q. When is a vessel under way?
A. A vessel is NOT underway when it is at anchor, made fast ashore (tied to shore) or, in the least desireable scenario, aground. If a vessel NOT underway = fixed to a point, then it would make sense to say that a vessel is under way when it is not fixed to a point. i.e. a vessel which has raised its anchor, floating around in the water or has become untied from the shore.
So, we’ve established that a vessel under way is, to put it simply, a vessel free to float around without restrictions. This does not mean that the vessel is being pushed/propelled through the water in any way.
A vessel being propelled through the water becomes a vessel making way. Whether this propulsion comes from oars, sails or propellors, once a vessel s moving, we can consider it to be making way. By day, it is easy to understand when a vessel is moving, however by night, you will need to look out for the lights which show you what the vessel making way is doing.
What lights could you expect to see on a vessel by night?
Fishing vessels – Depending on the type of fishing or work being carried out, this vessel may be under way OR making way
Fishing (Not trawling) Fishing (Not Trawling)
Under way Making way
Fishing vessels are underway when they show their dedicated lights and making way if they also show side, stern and masthead lights.
Not Under command – A vessel displaying these lights may be making way eg: OR under way eg: due to an inability to steer
Not Under Command Not Under Command
Under Way Making Way
Vessels not under command show side and stern lights, but do not show masthead steaming lights when making way. They may have engine or steering trouble meaning that course and speed may be erratic. A steaming light indicates ‘proceeding under engine’, and direction of travel, both of which may be misleading for NUC vessels as this can chage at any given moment.
Constrained by Draught – This vessel is usually making way but only able to manoever in a limited area due to the depth of the vessel’s hull below the water.
These vessels always show their dedicated lights and, if required making way, navigation and stern lights and masthead steaming lights.
Restricted in Ability to Maneuver – This vessel may be making way but is limited in its ability to change course and give way, amongst other things, because of the works it is engaged in.
In addition to these differences in under way and making way, a motor vessel in fog sounds different signals:
1 long blast when making way
2 long blasts when stopped – not making way
Images from:
http://www.frugal-mariner.com/
