[Rhodes22-list] Right-of-Way

[Bill Effros]

Tom, Herb,

Most people get this wrong.

Here's the pecking order:

(Summary of Coast Guard rules courtesy of the state of Tennessee)

Responsibilities Between Vessels:

If operating a power driven vessel you must give way to:

o Any vessel not under command, such as an anchored or disabled vessel.
o Any vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver, such as a vessel 
towing, laying cable, or picking up navigation markers, or a vessel 
constrained by its draft such as a large ship in a channel.
o A vessel engaged in commercial fishing
o A sailing vessel (sail only) unless it is overtaking

If operating a sailing vessel (sail only), you must give way to:
o Any vessel not under command
o Any vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver
o A vessel engaged in commercial fishing

Michael and I sail in waters where we see all kinds of vessels 
(including submarines) all the time.  Every summer we read about a 
novice sailor getting killed while yelling "I've got the right of way!"  
-- when in fact he doesn't.

All military vessels have right-of-way over all other vessels.  Next 
comes the Coast Guard.  Next comes emergency vessels.  Next comes tugboats.

Then comes vessels engaged in commercial fishing.

But way up at the top are vessels not under command, and just below is 
any vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver.

As a practical matter try to think of a commercial vessel that is not 
restricted in its ability to maneuver.  We already know that if you try 
to turn a cruise ship too fast it can tip over.  A Cigarette boat, 
traveling at 90 miles an hour, is restricted in its ability to 
maneuver.  Sailboats must give way -- early!

Some of these big commercial boats have 40 foot drafts.

I can't think of a commercial boat that wouldn't have right of way over 
a sail boat under sail--can you?

Experienced sailors always follow "The Law of Tonnage": if something 
bigger than you is bearing down on you -- get out of its way!

Bill Effros

PS -- Anchored vessels must be in designated anchorages -- you can't 
anchor in the middle of a busy waterway and think for one second that 
you've got the right of way.  And if you're disabled, but the other boat 
can't maneuver, and can't give way...don't get disabled in front of big 
boats--it won't turn out well.




Herb Parsons wrote:
> I'm curious too. Commercial fishing vessels are stand on over sail boats, when they're engaged in fishing. ANY boat (commercial or other) limited in their ability to manuever and in a channel is stand on over a sailing boat as well. But I believe that the blanket statement that all commercial vessels have the right-of-way over any sailing vessel is incorrect.
>
> Herb Parsons
>
> S/V O'Jure
> 1976 O'Day 25
> Lake Grapevine, N TX
>
> S/V Reve de Papa
> 1971 Coronado 35
> Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana Coast
>
>   
>>>> Tatflies at cs.com 7/26/2006 10:29:26 pm >>>
>>>>         
> Bill,
>
> Why do commercial vessels have the right-of-way over any sailing vessel 
> (unless limited in their ability to manuever)?
>
> Tom T.
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