Stand-Up Paddle Boards and "Rights of Way"

[Kings Gambit]

I was returning to home harbor after the Labor Day outing. The channel had several SUP's in it. One was "stalled" in the channel as a large trawler was approaching, overtaking the paddle boarder. I was nearby when I heard one short blast from the trawler which meant "I intend to leave you on my port side." Of course, the paddle boarder apparently thought the guy was honking to get out of the way, b/c that's the evident level of education for this sport at this time. I heard the boarder say to a friend: "What am I supposed to do now?" And then turn right toward the middle of the channel where the trawler had just "announced" was his intended path. Nothing happened, but now that these folks are maneuvering in "vessels" as we've been advised, what is to be done about right of way rules? Sometimes, there are many milling about right in the middle of a harbor channel or its entrance.

 

[Johnb]

Forgive them lord for they know not what they do.

Be nice, be kind, go slowly, give plenty of warning and remember we do this for fun, and if you run down one of the dumb#sses the paper work will be horrendous.

 

[JohnShannon]

overtaking boat

 

[Rich Stidger]

I don't have my Inland Rules book at home, but checking the online version at:

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=navRulesContent

They really don't define how the rules apply specifically to a human-powered vessel. However, the general rule of an over-taking vessel is that it must stay clear of any other vessel that is being over-taken. so I think JohnShannon has it right.

 

[Siamese]

The first thing that comes to mind is a paintball gun to signal the paddle boarder. I'm guessing they would tend to move away from the point of impact.

 

[JohnShannon]

yahbut it is an overtaking boat that is restricted in its ability to maneuver? Assuming it has some significant draft

 

[jibes138]

in many cases those paddle boarders are renting the board and don't have very good skills. I see people every day renting a board, learning how to stand up and paddle and immediately paddle out into the boat channel to get to the beach. It is possible the horn will startle them causing them to fall off the board in the channel. I recommend giving them a lot of space, and assume they know nothing.

 

[Kermit]

Maybe they need stern anchors. ;-)

 

[Kings Gambit]

I don't have my Inland Rules book at home, but checking the online version at:

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=navRulesContent

They really don't define how the rules apply specifically to a human-powered vessel. However, the general rule of an over-taking vessel is that it must stay clear of any other vessel that is being over-taken. so I think JohnShannon has it right.

Yeah, but what obligation does the "stand-on" vessel have? Seems to me it would imply: "Stand on your course or heading while I (the give-way vessel) avoid." Can the "stand-on vessel" suddenly change course into the path of an overtaking vessel after it's been "advised" by the appropriate signal of the overtaking vessel's intention to avoid? Maybe that big ole trawler can't put the brakes on that fast; besides, there may be other "obstacles" in the channel as well so it cannot simply turn any which way it might need to.

 

[BigEasy]

Well regardless, Rule 2 would come into play; "No matter what happens, one must do everything possible to avoid a collision. You are expected to break the rules when the danger of collision is immediate"

If you hit a paddle boarder & cause injury, I am afraid that you would be testing the limits of your liability insurance.

Personally, I find that kayaks are just as bad, if not worse. They sit down in the water so low that you can barely see their profile. With a genoa covering the foredeck, its difficult to see them even when looking for them.

 

[Joe]

In this case... a horn blast means little if anything to a SUP (or a PWC user, for that matter) except to get their attention. And no amount of rule reading and regulation citing is going to change anything.

So... get their attention with the horn and use the hailer or a loud voice to simply tell the person what you intend to do. i.e. "please maintain your course, I will pass on your right hand side (for god's sake don't confuse them by saying "starboard")

If you're in a sail boat... don't go to the stinkpot level. Slow down when passing and don't be an A-Hole.

 

[All U Get]

I slow way down, maybe its because the young ladies don't wear much.

All U Get

 

[All U Get]

Maybe they need stern anchors. ;-)

:stirthepot:

All U Get

 

[Maine Sail]

If it is clear that the other boater does not know the COLREGS, it becomes your duty to avoid collision. We can complain all we want but if we know and abide by the COLREGS then we also know it is our duty to avoid collision and not to "enforce" our stand on position over a vessel that has no clue what that even is.....

Another point to consider, that is stated here far too often, including the title of this thread, is that you do not have a "right of way" on the water. You are either stand on (previously privileged) or give way (previously burdened). The words privileged and burdened were removed many years ago because people mistook "privileged" to mean "rights"

If the other boater does not know the rules you will need to give up your stand on status and give way to avoid collision...

 

[woodster]

pedestrians comes to mind here......are we now going to do the old game of points for everyone we run over this is just utterly ridiculous to even be a topic does common sense not play apart ...i am totally horrified by some one in the water without the ability to maneuver out of they way ....having said that the better solution for me would be to just wait and see if i need to assist in the event of a mishap...being right is not always the best path to take and as has been stated here do not have a collision .....

 

[Boomer54]

If it is clear that the other boater does not know the COLREGS, it becomes your duty to avoid collision. We can complain all we want but if we know and abide by the COLREGS then we also know it is our duty to avoid collision and not to "enforce" our stand on position over a vessel that has no clue what that even is.....

Another point to consider, that is stated here far too often, including the title of this thread, is that you do not have a "right of way" on the water. You are either stand on (previously privileged) or give way (previously burdened). The words privileged and burdened were removed many years ago because people mistook "privileged" to mean "rights"

If the other boater does not know the rules you will need to give up your stand on status and give way to avoid collision...

Mainsail is absolutely correct. The easiest way for me to deal with issues such as this is to simply remember, sailing is a non-contact sport! Period.

 

[sailingseadragon]

I am sorry - I have to go with All U Get's clear and common sense approach.

 

[Kings Gambit]

Nothing happened, but now that these folks are maneuvering in "vessels" as we've been advised, what is to be done about "right of way" rules? Sometimes, there are many milling about right in the middle of a harbor channel or its entrance.

OK, so there is no such thing as "right of way" on the water except in one special circumstance on inland waters, but maybe there is now a "right to remain ignorant" of the ColRegs. Obviously, no one would run over a stand-up paddle boarder or a kayaker to enforce a "stand on" status. I suppose it'd make no difference if SUP's had not been designated a "vessel" by the USCG, one would still have to avoid them. Why do it if they are, in fact, to be viewed and treated only as a floating obstacle, and not as a vessel subject to Col Regs? By the way, these things are most dense in harbors, channels, and anchorages. This past summer heading into Mariners Cove (Mission Bay) we had to "thread our way" through a bunch of 'em, all kids, milling around the entrance with absolutely no apparent awareness of our presence or concern for it, etc. What we're acknowledging here is that they have "right" to use the navigable waterways with the privileges of a vessel but with absolutely none of the responsibilities of a vessel operator--perhaps not even to carry the required equipment--b/c few appear to (e.g., whistle, lifevest). Very strange, IMHO.

 

[Parsons]

Just out of curiosity, and considering who's paying attention to this post .... When do you think they will phase out the outdated whistle signals for passing? I've not heard one in years in a variety of ports, except for the occasional commercial vessel departing a berth or the danger signal. Other than licensed captains, most boaters don't have a clue that a whistle signal means anything more than a car horn. This has been discussed several times in this forum, so i don't want to hijack the thread. Thoughts?

 

[Boomer54]

OK, so there is no such thing as "right of way" on the water, but maybe there is a "right to remain ignorant" of the ColRegs. Obviously, no one would run over a stand-up paddle boarder or a kayaker to enforce a "stand on" status. I suppose it'd make no different if SUP's had not been designated a "vessel" by the USCG, one would still have to avoid them. Why do it if they are, in fact, to be viewed and treated only as an obstacle, and not as a vessel subject to Col Regs? By the way, these things are most dense in harbors, channels, and anchorages. This past summer heading into Mariners Cove we had to "thread our way" through a bunch of 'em, all kids, milling around the entrance with absolutely no apparent awareness of our presence or concern for it, etc. What we're acknowledging here is that they have "right" to use the navigable waterways with the privileges of a vessel but with absolutely none of the responsibilities of a vessel operator--perhaps not even to carry the required equipment--b/c few appear to (e.g., whistle, lifevest). Very strange, IMHO.

Ignorance is lack of education. It would seem that many have refused the opportunity to be educated which places them in the stupid column. None of us can fix stupid. I personally have net encountered a bunch of hormonal teenaged SUPs blocking a channel, but it would be tempting to issue a securite and see if the coasted would appear?