Obvious who has right of way on this one!

[BobM]

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.

 

[BobM]

Another shot of the tanker

This thing needed the whole channel for sure!

 

[higgs]

The rule of tonnage applies.

 

[Paul J. Rusyniak]

Under the prime directive, I think the tanker must share some of the blame.

Paul

 

[zeehag]

Under the prime directive, I think the tanker must share some of the blame.

Paul

sorry. the ship is not a maneuverable boat. he has right of way. sailboat and powerboat were stupid. you do NOT cross in front of a tanker while it is traveling. never.; is rule 9. pay attention. donot insist on right of way--you will be wrong, whether you really have right of way or not. insisting on taking right of way is as wrong as is not yeilding right of way. both lose in court.
he is bigger than you are and you are slower than he is--just keep away. there is a rule giving the big guys 500 ft of safety zone--no one seems to remember this--is a post 9-11 thing.
sailboats do NOT have automatic right of way even under sail only. the sailboat MUST be aware of what is around him and act RESPONSIBLY. avoid collisions and avoid troubles.

 

[Ross]

It is very hard to assert your rights while you are being pushed into the bottom of the channel by a five hunderd thousand ton ship. You may also say that the elephant belongs on the other side of the fence while he uses you for a foot stool.

 

[kendall]

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.

 

[Hermit Scott]

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.

I think I am married to your ex!

 

[Benny]

"Right of Way". Cannot be claimed, but it can be yielded. Stupid there only succeded in setting back the cause of responsible recreational boaters.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

There are no "rights" on the water...

...Or anywhere else actually....only responsibilities! Anyone stupid enough to think otherwise is a candidate for the Darwn award.

 

[woodster]

right of way is likened to respect...you have to give it in order to get it returned... unfortunetly not all have learned this concept......jmtc...

regrads

woody

 

[Ross]

Two cars met on a one lane bridge. The driver of one car yelled that he would never back up for a fool the other driver said that he always does and shifted into rverse.

 

[25yearslater]

CG 169 International - Inland Rules of Navigation States - a vessel restricted by draft or maneuverability has right of way. Upon realizing a collision was imminent ( four or more short blasts of the horn) The Rule of Good Seamanship and the General Prudential Rule would apply.

 

[Gary_H]

The sailor should have seen that thing coming a long time before it could become a collision issue. I would have found a deep spot outside the channel and stayed well clear until it passes.

 

[jorgefife]

The next time an 18-wheeler is travelling on the wrong side of the road towards ME, I will remember this posting
Whatever happened to common sense?

 

[Old Skool Neil]

It's sad how common this is. In Los Angeles Harbor you can hear the 5 blast collision signal every weekend. There's no reason for it, makes us all look bad.

 

[Ross]

I can sail happily in six feet of water and we have a good bit of ship traffic on the upper Chesapeake Bay. I keep a watch for them and make sure I am in water that will stop them before they become a danger.

 

[drbeer]

If I recall my USPS training correctly there are three considerations:

1) Vessels under sail have right of way over vessels under power, in theory because the vessel under sail is less maneuverable

2) The vessel to that is to starboard of the other is the stand on vessel

3) Commercial traffic, especially vessels under tow, have right of way over other vessels because of their limited ability to stop or maneuver suddenly

4) all captains are required to take all necessary precautions to avoid a collision

If there is an order of hierarchy of these rules common sense (and the typical interpretation of rule #4) hold that it is certainly the large commercial vessel that had the right of way. There is virtually no way a vessel of that size can turn quickly. Vessels of that displacement can take a mile or more to turn, just ask the captain of the Titanic. Oops you can't because he died as a result of his vessel not being able to turn quick enough to avoid that iceberg (not sure if the iceberg thought it had the right of way since it was not under power .

Hopefully there was no loss of life associated with this incident but as the saying currently in vogue goes, this is a "teachable moment"

 

[Flying Colours]

Underlining all of the above "might does have right"

 

[cygnussailor]

Under the prime directive, I think the tanker must share some of the blame.

Paul

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!!!