Navigation Rules, also known as steering and sailing rules, are a comprehensive set of legal guidelines or regulations that are designed to prevent collisions between two or more vessels in any navigable waterway. These rules serve to standardize the conduct of vessels in relation to each other to ensure the safety and efficiency of marine transport and sailing activities. They dictate the actions and responsibilities of each vessel, covering all aspects including but not limited to vessel speed, lookout, safe distance, overtaking, crossing situations, signals for vessels in sight of one another, distress signals, and more. They apply to all types of vessels, regardless of their size or purpose, ranging from cargo ships, fishing boats, ferries, to personal watercraft. These rules are internationally recognized and adhered to, although there may be regional variations or adaptations depending on geographic or operational conditions.

1. Rule 18: According to this, a power-driven vessel must give way to a sailing vessel unless the powered-boat is in a traffic separation scheme or when restricted in her ability to maneuver. This rule ensures safety by defining the rights and obligations of different types of vessels. 2. Rule 15: This is known as the Crossing Rules. When two power-driven vessels are crossing, the vessel which has the other on her starboard side has to give way and avoid a collision. The one on the left, or the "give-way" vessel, must take early and substantial action to keep well clear. 3. Rule 9: This is called the Narrow Channel Rule. It states that a vessel proceeding along the course of a narrow channel or fairway must keep as near to the outer limit which lies on her starboard side as is safe and practicable. It's designed to reduce the risk of collision in tight, narrow spaces. 4. Rule 19: Known as the Conduct of vessels in restricted visibility rule, this rule states that when vessels are not in sight of one another in fog, mist or heavy rainstorms, each vessel must proceed at a safe speed for the prevailing circumstances and conditions. 5. Rule 6: This is the Safe Speed Rule. Every vessel must at all times travel at a safe speed so that she can take proper and effective action to avoid a collision and can stop within a distance appropriate to the prevailing conditions and circumstances. The speed must be reduced in conditions of restricted visibility or heavy traffic.

While the Navigation Rules for steering and sailing may seem highly complex and technical, a fun fact is that they're largely based on the concept of common sense. They're comparable to the traffic rules we follow on highways. For example, one primary rule is just like the mandate on roads for a vehicle to keep to its right. Similarly, in water, if two powered boats are approaching each other head-on, they're supposed to alter their courses to starboard (that's the right side of a boat if you're facing forward) so that they pass each other on the port (left) side - pretty much like cars on a roadway. Another essential rule includes a hierarchy concept much like emergency vehicles get priority on roads. In waterways, bigger vessels such as shipping containers, which are hard to maneuver, have the right-of-way over small, agile boats. So, while it might seem like a whole different world, maritime navigation has striking parallels to rules we're already familiar with on land!