Rules of the Road...

[Captains Cat]

They also tell us that it's air conditioned....

Charlie

[CC Rider]

This was such an informative and entertaining thread back in 2009, I thought I would bring it to the top again.

I am trying to learn the COLREGS and their associated rule numbers, and in looking for ways to remember them I try to learn mnemonics or sayings. "Red right return" for example when referring to starboard hand buoys or day markers.

So what gems of sayings does the vast knowledge of C-Bratters have? I'll start it off with this:

When all three lights you see ahead,
Turn to starboard and show your red.
Green to green or red to red,
Perfectly safe, go right ahead.

But if to starboard red appear,
It is your duty to keep clear,
To act as caution says is proper,
Ease her, turn her, back her, stop her.

And if upon your port is seen,
A steamer's starboard light of green,
Hold your course and watch to see,
That green to port keeps clear of thee.

Both in safety and in doubt
Always keep a good look out.
In danger, with no room to turn,
Ease her, stop her, go astern.

Chris

[gulfcoast john]

By failing memory;

No vessel may tie off to a daymark (or lighted aid or any other ATON for that matter).

A sea plane is lowest in the COLREGS priority list (that doesn’t mean a C-Dory can’t or shouldn’t communicate with one heading your way toward the same area).

Here’s my contribution:
Nighttime navigation can be confusing, which is one of many reasons we tend to avoid it. For the most part, if your vessel spots a blinking red, green or white light, it’s a NAV AID. But if it’s a steady light, it’s another vessel.

Name five exceptions (not including emergency response vessels) where vessels display blinking rather than steady lights.

We had COLREGS Quiz time after dinners at anchor on the David B adventure…it’s more interesting discussions with wine.

John

[CC Rider]

[Robert H. Wilkinson]

Here is a trick question for transiting a Canadian canal.

If you are transiting the Trent Severn from Orillia to Port Severn through one of the many speed restricted sections and another Cdory the same as yours is coming towards you - which is the "stand on" vessel and which is the "give way" vessel? And why?

There are no other boats, obstructions, nav aids, etc. just you, the other boat and the canal.

Good luck

Rob

[-Waypoint-]

The "stand on" vessel would be the vessel that is going "with the current" (down stream) and would have first choice on passing arrangements. The give way vessel going against the current, has better maneuverability, which is the "give way" vessel. Port to port is always preferred, in this case, the vessel going with the current may have to make a wider turn in a bend. So the upbound vessel could take the inside bend of the turn, giving the down bound vessel more room to maneuver. This rule can apply with flooding and ebbing tidal currents in inlets in salt water too.

[gulfcoast john]

My guess is that the TS falls under COLREGS Inland Rivers (Great Lakes, Western Rivers and Canada) rather than International Rules (Rule 1).

Therefore, the downbound vessel is the stand-on vessel and “should propose the manner of passage via sound signals or VHF radio.” (Exception to Rule 14 for Great Lakes and Inland Rivers).

I don't see any limitation to 'speed restricted areas' though.

In Canada, don’t forget to change your VHF radio frequency set from USA to CAN. That menu item is often buried deep enough that you won’t find it without the radio manual/instructions.

Those rare vessels displaying flashing rather than steady lights:

Barge on hip tow (yellow flashing) Rule 24f

Seine purser with fouled gear (two vertical flashing yellow alternating) annex II.

Hovercraft not in displacement mode (yellow flashing) Rule 23b.

Wing in water Ground Effect craft (red strobe)

Multiple Vessels/Objects towed alongside (yellow flashing) Rule 24f.

Happy Navigating! Hope to see you on the T-S this summer!

John

[Robert H. Wilkinson]

[colbysmith]

One of my memory tricks, one to the right, two to the left. Passing or over taking. If you are passing on the right (port to port), or over taking on the right (your port to their starboard), one short blast of the horn. If passing on the left (your starboard to their starboard) or overtaking on the left (your starboard to their port), two short blasts. One to the right, two to the left. Position your boat is going relative to the other boat.

[thataway]

I have no knowledge of details of specific Canadian Navigation laws,(See below) but occasionally United States mariners ascribe stand on / give way in rivers, inlets or other areas of current to Rule 14 (d) of US Navigation Rules; inland.

Ref. Stand on and give way vessels in situations where there is flow or current; United States Inland Rule 14d: