why do boats pass on the right on rivers and canals.

[banana]

Watching the boats over the weekend I was struck that they passed on the right. Why is this?Ive looked on some waterways sites but cant find why.

[mikewith]

An international convention was needed and the general rule of 'right of way' was applied to the seas as it was to most road users worldwide. Some French canals and shipping on the Rhine are the only apparant exceptions to the rule: http://www.travel-library.com/general/driving/driv
e_which_side.html#boats

[banana]

Thanks Mikewith -this is an interesting site and answers the question I think(and more that I hadnt thought of yet!! :-) ) -but I wouldn't like to be boating in france where you have to look at every bridge to see which side now!

[robber1]

If they did not pass on t'right they would bump into each other.

[pezza.......]

A similar convention also applies to aircraft. The reasoning that the pilot in conmmand (or student pilot in training aircraft) usually sits in the left hand seat in the cockpit so can watch the other aircraft pass by safely.