Right of Way in Cruising World

[Benny17441]

I guess the off season is officialy here.

 

[Prime Time]

Common Sense Sometimes Must Apply

Despite who is the burdened vessel, we all have the obligation of avoiding a collision.
The sailboat in the picture of the CW article is much to close to that powerboat regardless of who is the stand on vessel. I'd hate to damage someone's boat, sink my own or hurt someone. Bad way to start a race.

If I am sailing downwind on starboard tack just cruising around, I'll usually give way to a port tacker working to windward. I think that is just common curtesy. I believe that is the way the rules of the road used to be.

 

[Ross]

Re: Common Sense Sometimes Must Apply

My grand daughter was pitching a softball game and hit three batters. Her coach asked her what was wrong and she said they don't even try to get out of the way.

 

[higgs]

When in close quarters, it is important not to change your course when you are the stand on vessel (unless, of course, a collision is imminent). The rules are designed so both skippers can predict what the other is going to do. If the give way vessel makes a change to avoid the stand on vessel at the same time the stand on vessel decides to be courteous that could actually cause a collision.

 

[Prime Time]

Anticipation

Its all about timing and anticipation. Don't wait to the last possible moment and be clear in your change in heading to avoid the creation of a collision course situation.

 

[catsailor]

Just maybe as bloody arrogant spectators who insist on pushing past the no pass zones so they can get a better view of the event than the spectators who stay in the SPECTATOR zone. Oh, sorry, the spectator zone is for the nerds that respect the rules of the event. Now I wasn't at this event but perhaps there was a reason the bloody arrogant contestant wasn't found at fault. EH

:dance:

Duh. During a football game, the guys with the funny hats have the right of way, but occasionally a sideline photographer forgets that... and it really funny, in a cruel way. But they don't sue.

 

[CaptJake]

Hate to start off a comment this way but here goes; and correct me if I'm wrong. As I understand the "rules of the road", adrift (not anchored-and I agree that as long as you display that you are at anchor, you are at anchor) IS underway. But ultimately it is the STAND-ON vessels responsibility to avoid collision. While the sailboat may have been stand-on it was still his/her responsibility to avoid collision. Whether or not the motor was running on the powerboat is unimportant.

 

[sea_to_see]

Simple answer - outside the US (in my experience) the locals have the right of way. And know it.