[Rhodes22-list] Right-of-Way

[TN Rhodey]

Bill,

First off I do everything I can to get out of the way of any boat. Every 
boater is supposed to do everything they can to avoid accidents including 
keeping a sharp look out and operating at safe speeds for conditions.

Driving a boat at 90 mph does not give one the right of way. You are 
operating at unsafe speeds.

A commerical boat does not always have right of way over sail boat under 
sail. If the commerical craft is not restricted by channel or towing they do 
not have right of way. Commercial fisherman do have the right a way when 
they are actually fishing. They do not have right of way when they are not 
fishing.

Wally






>From: Bill Effros <bill at effros.com>
>Reply-To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Right-of-Way
>Date: Thu, 27 Jul 2006 09:44:56 -0400
>
>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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