Under Way

The status of a vessel that is not at anchor, made fast to the shore or aground.

Under way is a defined collision-regulation status and does not require the vessel to be moving through the water. A vessel stopped and drifting can be under way but not making way, while one tied to a buoy may be treated according to the applicable circumstances and local interpretation rather than ordinary anchoring language alone.

The distinction affects navigation lights, shapes and sound signals. Status must be determined from the facts and complete regulations, not merely engine state, speed over ground or whether sails are set.