Rational for Rule 13a the port/starboard rule?

[Bill Ebling]

Rational for Colreg Rule 13a the port/starboard rule.Rather than just memorizing a set of rules I prefer to understand the rational for rules. I feel more confident I won't forget when I understand. Of course I never assume the captain of any boat I am in a meeting situation knows the rules so I always sail defensively..But anyway... I was hoping that someone could help me understand the rational for the Colreg 13a rules for vessels being powered exclusively under sail. I can understand the rational for the windward-leeward rule... the leeward boat could become burdened.but I am perplexed trying to understanding the rational and original intent for the 13a Port-Starboard tack rule for meeting vessels under sail (When each vessel under sail has the wind on different sides the one on the port tack is the give-way vessel). Why did this special rule need to be created for sailboats in meeting situations when it appears to me that the 15a rule (the power vessel with the other on its starboard side is the give-way vessel) would work just as well for two sailboats and potentially create less confusion (particularly less confusing when one of the sailboats may be motor sailing and this is not clear to the sailing vessel). Also..What is special about the port-tack. Is it just an arbitrary choice that this is the give-way boat (it’s not always the boat to the right) or is there something unique that makes a starboard-tack boat a more burdened boat? Bill Ebling

 

[Rick Webb]

Chicken or the Egg?

I have always thought of it in terms of visibility from a powerboat where the wheel is on the starboard side making for less visability to port. A skipper should also always approach another boat with his starboard side which I believe is why all registration decals are on the port side (or both). I think this was probably just by convention but there may be some real reasons there from way back.

 

[Steve]

Days of Olde

Bill -While I can't swear to the accuracy of my belief, I think that the port tack boat being the give way vessel comes from the old days when the vessel leaving the harbor was heavier with stores and therefore less manueverable. The boat returning to port was lighter with expended stores and thus more manueverable. Thus, the "port" bound boat gave way to the boat leaving home. Just my guess.Fair winds,SteveS/V Options

 

[Clyde]

It’s Colreg 12a, not 13a

"Old English steorbord, literally: steering side, from steor steering paddle + bord side; from the fact that boats were formerly steered by a paddle held over the right-hand side."In the days of the Viking, starboard was the right side of the sailing ship where the steering oar was located. The left side of the sailing ship was where the sailing ship was docked when in Port, since the steering oar was on the right side of the sailing ship. A helmsman was always stationed on the starboard side of the sailing ship using a long oar to steer the boat. On a port tack, the helmsman on the starboard side of the sailing ship can easily see another sailing ship on an intercept course if it is sailing on a starboard tack, but the starboard tacking sailing ship with the helmsman on the starboard side of the sailing ship might not be able to see the port tacking sailing ship because of the sail.Fair Winds,Clyde

 

[Bill Ebling]

Ah.. Thats neat!

..So now I will always imagine a sailboat being piloted by a viking with his horned helmet on the steering board side of the boat with his view blocked by his sail. Thank's Clyde..Your right it's Rule 12a