Overtaking on the AICW

justsomeguy · Jul 28, 2014

rclarke246 said:
Newbie here.
We'll be heading south on the AICW from Annapolis this September in our Beneteau Swift Trawler.
We really care about safety, courtesy, and proper etiquette so I'd like to ask you how we can best overtake you.
While we have your attention, any other tips are also greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your response!

There are certain signals combining short and long horn blasts, that are described in the colregs.

Smile!

Rob2435 · Jul 28, 2014

try calling the other boat on the radio to let them know that you would like to pass them...

RichH · Jul 28, 2014

Passing and overtaking on the AICW is done by mutual consent/agreement on Channel 16 (low power). I cant remember anyone using a horn to make a pass on the ICW for many years.

The probable best way to minimize the effort and the total time for the 'pass' is to radio reply to the overtaking vessel that you will drop your speed when he arrives close to your stern. Most will then keep up speed until they reach your stern and then throttle down to a small wake speed, make the pass, and then resume speed after clearing your bow. The overtaking vessel is usually the first one to call on Ch16.

If you dont add this 'I will drop speed when when youre close to my stern', the total time for the pass will be MUCH longer with you going along at idle speed .... and you'll probably miss your next time-scheduled bascule bridge opening !!!!!

Warning - More than just a few of the large Sport Fishing boats travelling the AICW, especially those with NJ and NY homeports !!!!!, will not bother to slow down when passing and will sometimes severely wake you as they pass. Be prepared especially for a 'waking' if they dont hail or answer you on Ch16. Otherwise, the 'slow down to idle speed' to let other boats pass with mutual radio agreement (and courtesy) is very common.

Charlie Jones s/v Tehani · Jul 28, 2014

I've done the AICW some 6 times now, and the GICW about the same. Horn signals are almost totally passe now- I've not used the horn in years. I don't know if a bridge tender would even know what you wanted

What Rich has told you is probably the very best advice you'll get. Now, COMMERCIAL traffic, of which there isn't a huge amount in the AICW, ( compared to Galveston to New Orleans) has gotten to the point where they almost ignore you, unless you call by name, which means at least an AIS receiver aboard. They ALL now must have AIS and use it.

Of course, there'll always be the idiots in the go fasts, that answer to no one- too important in their own minds. Just get used to getting slammed once in a while

JoeWhite · Jul 28, 2014

No one mentioned passing from the lee side to prevent blocking the wind in my sails.

RichH · Jul 28, 2014

In addition to TSBBs post, do contact the large and long commercials that you do encounter on the ICW especially in narrow sections and in the 'twisty-turny' sections .... I usually ask them "where do you want me to be so you can make your turn, etc. easier".

Special note on the ICW crossing the Savannah R. at the border of Georgia and South Carolina --- When nearing the south end of 'Fields Cut' and when hearing "Such and Such Vessel transiting the Savannah River in the vicinity of the ICW ... standing by for concerned vessels/traffic to reply on channels 13/16" ... Consider to answer them when within a 1/4 miles of the crossing, because if you do the large mega-container ships will come to a dead slow speed when crossing the ICW and wont SUCK 4-5 FT. of water out of the Fields Cut, leaving you high and dry and over on your side in the process, followed by a tsunami that refills the cut a few minutes later.
Dont ask me how I know this. ;-)

All U Get · Jul 29, 2014

Most sailboats, especially us, would pull to one side while awaiting bridge openings. A quick radio hail would confirm which side. Our thinking is that you're going to pass so why not where there's plenty of room. Also as you proceed through the bridge do a slow start to gain speed. I've followed behind some cruisers and the depth gauge reads 0.0 for as much as a mile since the bottom was stirred.

There were times when I wanted to make a bridge opening too so I would reply to the overtaking vessel to pass at speed rather than slow down. There were also a few yachts that slowed and followed us through the skinny spots knowing we drat a bit more than them.

Near Myrtle Beach there's a place called the "Rock Pile" where you should give a "Courtesy Call" for other boaters coming the other way. Have a good trip.

All U Get

Anonymous 121765 · Jul 29, 2014

RC,

This was no mention thus far on the USCG Rules of The Road, that cover the ICW & even Western River Rules (slightly different).

So, I can only suggest that if you have questions running the ICW, the USCG has alot of info on rules of the road. I would familiarize yourself with these first. There is a PDF version you can download & much more. There are also sites where you can test your knowledge. Here's the first site to start:

http://www.uscgboating.org/regulations/navigation_rules.aspx

Then there's the Local Notice to Mariners publication which, could be useful for the areas you are traveling thru:

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

CR

Stu Jackson · Jul 29, 2014

RichH said:
If you dont add this 'I will drop speed when when youre close to my stern', the total time for the pass will be MUCH longer with you going along at idle speed .... and you'll probably miss your next time-scheduled bascule bridge opening !!!!!

Warning - More than just a few of the large Sport Fishing boats travelling the AICW, especially those with NJ and NY homeports !!!!!, will not bother to slow down when passing and will sometimes severely wake you as they pass. Be prepared especially for a 'waking' if they dont hail or answer you on Ch16. Otherwise, the 'slow down to idle speed' to let other boats pass with mutual radio agreement (and courtesy) is very common.

Good advice here. One little known "trick" when being passed (I see this every time I go out our estuary): since the waves come from your quarter, do NOT try to turn INTO the wake (which I see altogether too often) but rather just turn a LITTLE BIT toparallel the wake (if you have the room of course, and you should, 'cuz you only have go to the middle of his wake, right?). Then the movement on YOUR boat is ONLY side to side, not a corkscrew.

A raised finger to inconsiderate boaters after they've passed is just fine, those jerks won't see it, but you'll feel better.

All U Get · Jul 29, 2014

I forgot to mention the "Wait for the Bridge Tango". Wind and current pushing you all around while waiting for the bridge to open isn't a lot of fun. You may be able to clear some without waiting if you know your air draft.

All U Get

Anonymous 121765 · Jul 29, 2014

Guys,

Sorry, but the more I got into my post, the longer it got.

One thing to remember about proper etiquette using the "USCG Rules of the Road", is that if the other guy doesn't know the rules, do they EXIST? In all COLREG situations, there is a STANDON vessel & a GIVEWAY vessel. That's just the simple first rule, however......... The funny thing about Rules of The Road is that deviations to the rules exist & then may also come into play.

Another thing to remember about a vessel in a "meeting/crossing/passing/overtaking/being overtaken/and/poor operation" event can result in injury and/or damage to your passengers & boat. They may also be a hazard to other vessels in marked channels.

In trafficked or narrow areas, I suggest to constantly monitor channel 16 & keep your cell phones ready to record video if you come across these types. One thing I have seen over the years that show a pattern about these self-centered creeps; you will never see them looking back to witness what their effect was on your boat, they couldn't be bothered. Remember big boats/ships need an earlier response time and maybe a VHF plan of execution. Remember, the bigger the ship, the less maneuverability he has in close quarters.

I also believe that most importantly, you show your intent early on. Let's say you will be passing or crossing in a channel. As early as I can, I let the approaching skipper see exactly what my intent is. I do this by dropping my bow off or showing my beam so he knows just how I intend to pass or cross. The secret here is to maintain your intentional course. If this is not feasible I VHF him & let him know I will wait at the channel edge until he passes.

I see boats that continue to squiggle back-n-forth when it gets close; BAD IDEA. The best you can do is to show your course & stay steady-on. This way the approaching skipper feels better now that he knows your intentions are. Talking thru this is also good.

I did have the opportunity once in close quarters to throw an empty V8 bottle into their cockpit (I was happy when I heard it break) & he turned around to see what he had caused me. I did call ahead to the bridge tender he was approaching & recounted what he had done. By the time I cleared the bridge, there was local/county & FDLE authorities tied to his boat (I smiled as I passed). They VHF'd me back & I recounted what had happened. As I went North, they were still there. I'll bet alcohol may have been involved, but I didn't use my cellphone video recorder then. I know better now.

IT IS LAW, if a boat acting irresponsibility causes damage to your boat in a marked navigational channel, HE IS LIABLE FOR DAMAGES (look up the COLREGS)! Here's where your cell phone video comes into play. You will need proof of how he was operating & what direction or wake he was causing. Remember to swing the video to a marker or anything to prove you were properly positioned in the channel.

In addition, if you suspect an operator is a danger to other boats, you IMMEDIATELY need to CONTACT law enforcement & any bridge tender he may be heading towards. Bridge tenders (DOT) are supposed to record the vessels that pass under. More proof.

From what I have seen over the years, there are just as many BAD sailors as there are bad power boaters. Not all skippers are created equal but, thanks to technology, we can now do something to rain these a-holes in & remember, if you impact their wallets, you get their attention. They may end up listening thus changing their modus-operandi.

There's the bigger picture out there but sadly, alot of people are not concerned with what takes place beyond the tips of their nose. They couldn't be bothered. People never fail to do one thing, they seem to never FAIL in DISSAPOINTING you. Stay safe, stay SMART.

CR