Obvious who has right of way on this one!

[drbeer]

I forgot one comment. Bob M. said he took this photo and I see he's from Winthrop, MA so I'm assuming this was in Boston harbor since that's one of the few places around here that gets big shipping traffic like that.

I sail up in Salem sound. I've noticed that it seems like far too many sailboat captains up my way are TOTALLY ignorant of the right of way rules. I get cut off by some sailboat almost every weekend. Unlike the guy in the photo I take evasive action. Quite surprisingly, the power boat owners are usually much less likely to cut me off.

Unlike most other New England states MA has no requirement that boat operators take a boating safety course and has no boating licenses. So it's no surprise that so many folks don't know the right of way because virtually anyone with the $ to rent or buy a boat can get out on the water. I'd be willing to bet the operator of the sailboat never took a single safety or seamanship course. Sad thing is that USPS teaches these courses regularly all around the Boston area and they don't cost very much $. You even get a discount on your insurance if you've taken the courses so they pay for themselves.

I encourage folks that live in MA to contact your state rep and ask them to do what several other states around us have done and make it mandatory that boat operators take a boating safety course.

 

[captmikem]

I drive ships for a living (and sail a small sailboat for fun) and it is amazing how few people know the rules of the road. Coming into Miami ship channel on a Sunday is littered with small boats, on a container ship you normally can not see anything 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile ahead. The mate is on the bow with radio but there is so much small boat traffic he only comments on the ones that are about to collide with you or are dead in the water.
If this is in a channel, part A, B, and D of rule 9 apply:

Rule 9
Narrow Channels
(a) A vessel proceeding along the course of a narrow channel or fairway shall keep as near to the outer limit of the channel or fairway which lies on her starboard side as is safe and practicable.
(b) A vessel of less than 20 meters in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway.
(d) A vessel shall not cross a narrow passage or fairway if such crossing impedes the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within such channel or fairway. The latter vessel may use the sound signal prescribed in Rule 34(d) if in doubt as to the intention of the crossing vessel.

and.. 25yearslate. your post is good, but be advised 4 blasts indicates a pilot boat. 5 or more is the danger signal.

At sea, with AIS although we look often our lookout can miss a small boat, especially if there is any weather. Best thing you can do in a small boat if you see a ship in a crossing situation is to aim at her stern, and do it early. Ships normally alter early and with enough course change so it is obvious to the stand on vessel. If in doubt, call on 13, if the watch officer speaks english he or she will talk to you. We do not want to run into you, but we need to know you are there.

Mike
KP 46
TARA

 

[Ian McGain]

As with everything in life: Might make Right

 

[ziggy24606]

How about this:
Rule 9(b) - A vessel of less than 20 meters in length or a sailing vessel shall not
impede the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within a
narrow channel or fairway.
Rule 9(d) A vessel shall not cross a narrow channel or fairway if such crossing
impedes the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within such
channel or fairway. The latter vessel may use the sound signal prescribed in
Rule 34(d) if in doubt as to the intention of the crossing vessel.

And above all: Rule of Common Sense! Stay clear from a huge tanker or you (and those you are responsible for) may not get out alive!

 

[Cobra]

I can't even comment... While trying to dodge a freighter and another ship docked at Sunny Point (Cape Fear River) splitting the distance between the two I got to see a Militarily Police boat with a manned M-60 close up. Naturally he was ready for anything, they were loading the freighter with ???. I wanted to take his picture since they came within 50 yards but I was totally afraid.

"Might Has Right"! (and Huge wakes included... I've seen a Tug push a good 5' wake)

 

[Blue Grace]

Tactically, the sailor made another dumb move - he will loose his wind in a couple of minutes.

It is hard to tell, but it looks as if the sailing vessel is carrying too much cloth for the conditions, it looks as if the rail is under water.

I suspect that he felt forced to go ahead of the tanker, which appears to be moving slowly, because turning downwind would have caused an unintended jibe in heavy wind, and turning upwind would have kept hime in the path of the tag and tanker.

The reality is that he should have seen the two impending perils before he stood on.

 

[Josef508]

Always been my thoughts, I may have right of way, but have no reason to fight you for it.

Ex girlfriend used to always insist on taking the right of way, always told her 'I had the right of way' would be her epitaph. Ran into her a month or so ago, and she still behaves the same.

So, did YOU run into her, or did she run into you? Any damage to the boats? shld we assume you had the right of way, and she only thought she did, or do you think she was attempting to sink you?
:-D

 

[jwandling]

Also wonder why a sailboat would go to all that trouble to get in the lee of the tanker's hull.

 

[Paul J. Rusyniak]

I disagree, The prime directive had to do with interfering with other intelligent lifeforms. The tanker was obviously not in the presence of any other intelligent lifeforms!!!

Point extremely well made!!!

 

[cygnussailor]

We have a large catamaran designed car ferry that makes about 4 crossings to Milwaukee and back to Muskegon every day. More often that not he has to blow 5 short blasts going down the channel to get someone out of his way. Usually it is some sport fisherman who thinks that he falls under the "vessels engaged in fishing" exception. There is no shortage of idiots who own boats.

Gary

 

[Marc Robic]

Surprised by many comments..

I am very surprised by the comments people, supposedly experienced sailors all! Yes there are rules of the road, such a sailboat (under sail) has the right of way over a power boat. Another general rule is that all boats, sail or power, must give way to the boat with the least amount of maneouverability.

However, there is also what is refered to many times, as the prime derective or rule of conduct, which is: All boats must use common sense to avoid a collision, regardless of what type of boat you have or who has the right of way.

A boat the size of the tanker or freighter picture here, could been seen from a loooong way away and therefore the sailboat had the responsability to avoid it.

In the event of equal size or types of boats, if your not sure, take a compass bearing of the approaching boat. If the bearing does not change as you are moving forward, you are on a collision course. An experienced and responsable Captain does wait to see who has right of way. He takes 'evasive' action now, like change course or slow down.

 

[Gary_H]

Mcathcart...I sail the Cape Fear regularly and you are right, you definitely don't want to head down the Sunny Point channel by mistake. I see people confusing the buoys and heading down the wrong channel and sure enough within minutes they are intercepted.

 

[countrygent147]

Commercial vessel in channel has right of way.
Why not use your signaling device to ask for a starboard to starboard passing. 2 bells is the signal i think.
We have numerous such occasions in New London, CT what with all the ferry traffic.

 

[Captain Joe]

The powerboater and the sailor are good examples of how a momentary lapse in common sense can make good Darwin Award candidates.

 

[Donald6425]

It would appear that COLREG72 Rule 9(d) applies - I tend to yeild the Right-of-Way to anything which is more than twice my displacement.

 

[mikeyairtime]

Vessel over 20 meters navigating a channel. The ship has the absolutely undisputed right of way. I've seen a guy in Los Angeles get demasted in the Los Angeles harbor main channel doing this and they didn't even stop the ship. Then on top of being demasted the sailboat got the tow of shame back to the Coast Guard dock on Reservation point.

BTW- The narrow channel rule also applies to the vessel traffic seperation lanes (shipping lanes) Ships on the high seas in the shipping lanes are considered in a channel and have the right of way over small sailboats. I'll bet most of you didn't know that one.

 

[harleyjef]

right of way

I ride a motorcycle and I am an MSF safety instructor. We have a saying "you may be right to exercise your right of way, but you also may be dead right".

 

[harleyjef]

We have a large catamaran designed car ferry that makes about 4 crossings to Milwaukee and back to Muskegon every day. More often that not he has to blow 5 short blasts going down the channel to get someone out of his way. Usually it is some sport fisherman who thinks that he falls under the "vessels engaged in fishing" exception. There is no shortage of idiots who own boats.

Gary

Gary,
Same for the Badger up here in Ludington.

 

[Winkfish]

If I recall my USPS training correctly

When did the post office start teaching navigation?

 

[Jes Hillman]

The sailboat cut across the bow of the tanker then turned up the channel. The powerboat insisted on moving up the channel too. :naughty:

Both the Tugboat and tanker were sounding "collision" with their horns for five minutes (pilot was probably aboard too as the pilot boat was in the wake of the tanker).

Idiots...the photo was taken from my boat in twenty five feet of water well outside of the channel.

As a Naval Officer, we used to encounter those who believed that they had the right of way on a regular basis. Unfortunately, an Aircraft Carrier (or a Tanker in this case) by the laws of physics have little concern for rights and wrongs and have a terrible history of winning in these confrontations...

An Admiral I used to work for told me once...

"When Elephants Dance, Ants Die"

J