[Rhodes22-list] Right-of-Way

[Brad Haslett]

Bill,

This is chickenshit but effective.  I have to motor through a narrow channel
for about a half-mile to hit the deep channel and then am restricted for the
next two until the wide part of Pickwick.  I usually hoist the mainsail,
even in zero wind, and let it luff while motoring.  Sailboats under sail are
*supposed* to have the right-a-way and the big powerboats can't hear my 13hp
diesel running over the noise from their 300+ hp motors.  The bass boats
running after 70 knot fish are another story.

Brad


On 7/27/06, Bill Effros <bill at effros.com> wrote:
>
> Wally,
>
> Even though they are operating at unsafe speeds, it is clear both that
> they are unable to maneuver, and that you don't want to get hit by
> them.  You must give way when you see them coming.
>
> Commercial boats have right-of-way any time they are restricted in their
> ability to maneuver.  That winds up being almost all the time.
>
> Fishing boats don't have to have lines or nets or traps in the water
> attached to the boat to be "fishing".  A lobster boat going from trap to
> trap has the right of way -- and they know it!  They are sick and tired
> of panty waisted sailors getting in between them and their livelihood.
> This was one of the first right-of-way lessons I learned on my Sunfish
> on Long Island Sound.
>
> The Law of Tonnage is the only one that really matters when you're out
> on the water.  Somebody posted a video of a sailboat cutting in front of
> a ferry.  I don't think any of us seriously thought the sailboat had the
> right of way.
>
> Around here people in kayaks think they have the right of way because
> they are less maneuverable than sailboats.  Boating fatalities are
> soaring because of these people.  Even in boats as small as ours, you
> can't see them until it's too late.
>
> People in small boats have to learn to stop doing stupid things.
>
> Bill Effros
>
> TN Rhodey wrote:
> > 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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> >>>
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> >>>
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