Night Sailing Basics

[Herb Parsons]

Alligators in N TX

I've never seen any alligators in the wild up here. There was a caiman in one of the small drainage ponds in Irving (right down the street from Grapevine), but I don't know if it was wild and found its way there, or a wayward/released "pet".On the other hand, just because I haven't seen 'em doesn't mean they're not there. My other boat is on Lake Pontchartrain in Louisiana, and there are definitely 'gators there, but I haven't seen them (yet) either.To tie all this back to night sailing, I don't think I'll worry about 'gators at night, or in the day, when I sail. I'll concentrate on staying ON the water, instead of IN the water, and make sure my boat is bigger than they are.

 

[Herb Parsons]

Anal Regulations??

I disagree completely. Under your regs, a sailboat and power boat meet, who is giveway? A boat with a 50' draft in a 60' channel meets a sailboat, who gives way?Sorry, simplistic rules don't work for that very reason, it's not simple.

 

[Mark]

Geeez

I'm glad I am not sailing at night where some of you guys sail.I reckon everyone should just ease up a little. Grab a copy of international shipping regs and have a good read of what is and is not required whilst sailing when it is dark.

 

[sv Makai]

Read the regs

I agree with the earlier comment. Read the regs, they do explain everything you need to know. The regs even provide for contact when unsure. Use the horn or radio and make contact for clarification if unsure. We have hailed many a boat including a Dutch Warship off Curacao to determine intentions.We have been traveled down the ICW and offshore and understanding the regs are cruical (espically cross a port entry zone like Charleston).Understanding them makes sailing at night more comfortable and reduces anxiety. We love sailing at night especially offshore!

 

[BrianH]

Dead right

There's a story I learned many years ago. At his funeral they commented "he was right, dead right". I always keep that in mind whether I have the right-of-way or not.

 

[eds928gt]

Herb: Ships in channels are stand-on vessels

Everyone who sails in the Chesapeake knows to stay clear of the channel, or cross it quickly. All ships in the channel have the right-of-way over sailboats under sail. Read the regs.~ Happy trails and sails to you ~ _/) ~

 

[p323ms]

Love sailing at night

We can probably all agree that sailing at night is a great experience and different from day sailing. Make sure that your boat is properly lit and don't expect the other guy to follow the rules. Poorly lit barges are to be avoided and it is sometimes hard to see lights on the water because of the lights on shore.  By far my best night experiences has been in a lightly used lake or offshore. Save a busy harbor until you have some experience. After my experience with a barge in Mobile bay I avoid night sailing there. IMHO Tom

 

[Herb Parsons]

Nick's "New Regulations"

eds928gt, I was responding to Nick's "New Regulations", that were simple, but didn't cover the examples given. The problem with declaring the rules "too complicated" or "too anal" is that they may be for too much for one person's need, but reality is that the regs are written to attempt to cover any situation that may come up. They really aren't that complicated, and for the needs of most of us, are very simple.Actually, your statement is a prime example. Most of us have heard the mantra "powerboats giveway to sailboats". But, as you mentioned, not when the sailboat is crossing a channel. Also, not when the powerboat is engaged in fisshing (as defined by the regs), or when restricted in manuverability, or when not under command ... the list goes on, but you see what I mean.Again, back to the sailing at night - depending on the situation, it can be a great way to sail. Be lit properly though.

 

[sv Makai]

read the rules carefully

There regs say if you can avoid a collision whether you have the right of way or not it is YOUR resposiblity to take evasive action. If you fail to do so and are involved in an accident even though you have the right of way it will still be your fault. Rules of the road are to decribe the proper way to cross and pass, but the captain still has the ulitmate resposible for the safety of the vessel.Several years ago in the Bay a situation where a sailboat was cross the Bays main deep water channel and a cargo ship was moving up the channel towards Baltimore. The sailor thought he had the right away because he was sailing. He cause the tanker to ground and his boat went to the bottom.The courts found in favor of the tanker because her failed to follow the rules in two counts. The vessel with limited meaneuverabilty had the right of way as it was restricted to the channel and he failed to avoid a collision.It cost him huge!The regs provide standards for crossing and passing in both inland and out. But they are also clear that the captain has resposiblity. Understanding the rules will help with decsions on when to turn or not and will reduce the wondering what the other guy will be doing.It also provides for the idiot behind the wheel. If in doubt stay clear!

 

[Tom S]

makai, typically maritime courts find % at fault

When you said " If you fail to (take evasive action) and are involved in an accident even though you have the right of way it will still be your fault. "Well yes and no, typically in that case it will be PART your fault. Maritime courts typically look at all factors involve and assign who has done what and then figures out how much percentage each other is at fault. As you suggested very rarely does one party get off 100%. Maybe if you were just sitting on your legal mooring and some nut in s speedboat just runs into you, but underway you are typically veiwed as somewhat responsible, but the bigger offender gets the bigger liability.

 

[Tom S]

makai. ps in that example the sailboat DID NOT

have the right of way (actually more correctly considered stand-on vessel and give-way vessels)(We are agreeing I am just giving more detail on the ruling - to make sure people really understand the rules -- too many sailors think they *always* have the rigt of way)The sailor **thought** he had the right away because he was sailing. But in fact he did not have responsibility to be stand on vessel (right of way is bad term) But rather became the give-way vessel.Basically he did not know the rules - Specifically in COLREGS Rule 9 Part b it states - "A vessel less than 20 meters or a sailing vessel shall not impede a vessel which can safely navigate only withing a narrow channel or fairway" There are many different mentions of "Vessels restricted by her ability to maneuver" or "Vessel constrained by her Draft".The only hope that sailboat skipper had of winning that "battle" was to somehow argue that the big ship did not display the correct "lights or signals" to indicate she was restricted draft or restricted maneuverability.Here are the Colregs (international and Inland). Fun reading Everyone should have at least a ~BASIC~ understanding of the rulesBe safe http://www.uscg.mil/vtm/navrules/navrules.pdf

 

[sv Makai]

he believed...differnt than being right

I agree, I did say that the sailor BELIEVED he had the right of way, different than actually having it. He refused to alter course that eventually ended in the loss of his ship and the grounding of the tanker. His failure was to understand the rules and having a bit of common sense.The damages aginst him covered the loss of his vessel and salvage (DNR was in there too) including the expenses related to the grounding of the tanker. I don't remember the %age blame but he footed most of the bill.He was lucky that no one was killed!!!!!

 

[John Nantz]

Tom S - you're trying to say it right!

go ahead and just say it: stand-on and give-way.Right of way is land surveyors and relators lexicon to describe a parcel for a road.

 

[Jim Seamans]

Sailing at night in traffic can be scary

A few years back we were out on the Chesapeake Bay just north of the bay bridge at 2 in the morning. Enjoying the wind. I was on a tack headed west when I spotted a very strange lighting configuration coming under the bridge headed north. Couldn't figure it out until the shore lights silhoutetted the vessel.It was a SUBMARINE on the surface headed north.Give way is a understatement.JimS/V Java