Underway vs making way: what is the difference?
Underway, making no way
Not at anchor, not made fast, not aground
Making way
Actually moving through the surrounding water
Underway is a legal status: a vessel is not at anchor, not made fast to the shore, and not aground. Making way through the water means she is actually moving relative to the surrounding water.
Related terms
How it works
A drifting vessel with her engine stopped can be underway while making no way through the water. Current may still carry her over the ground, so speed over ground is not the same test.
The distinction changes navigation lights and restricted-visibility signals. A power-driven vessel making way sounds one prolonged blast at intervals of not more than two minutes; one underway but stopped and making no way sounds two prolonged blasts.
Status versus motion
Treat the two phrases as separate questions. First: is the vessel anchored, made fast, or aground? If not, she is underway. Second: is she moving through the water around her? If yes, she is making way.
On the water
- A boat drifting with the tide, engine off, is underway but may be making no way through the water.
- A vessel secured to a marina pontoon is not underway.
- A power-driven vessel moving through calm water is both underway and making way.
Common mistake
Underway does not mean “engine running,” and making way does not mean the same thing as moving over the chart. Water motion can make speed through water and speed over ground very different.
Remember it
UNDERWAY asks where you are secured; MAKING WAY asks whether water passes the hull.