Right of way!

I've found that so few recreational boaters understand the meaning of whistle/horn blows that it's essentially useless to use them. Most just think you're being annoying and "honking" at them out of anger. It's usually just easier to just give everyone a lot of space and assume that the other boater knows nothing. The assumption that the other guy knows nothing about CG regs is more frequently right than wrong if you're looking at a recreational boater.
 
rogerbum":1xfanbpn said:
I've found that so few recreational boaters understand the meaning of whistle/horn blows that it's essentially useless to use them.
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I totally agree with you Roger. The reason I enjoy winter boating in Puget Sound is that there are fewer boats out there and those that are on the water are either commercial vessels or recreational vessels that know what they are doing.
 
rogerbum":3rgvq0d5 said:
... It's usually just easier to just give everyone a lot of space and assume that the other boater knows nothing...
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I believe this statement to be applicable to 90-95% of those on the water. I see it every single day I am out.

:shock:
 
Horn signals or a radio call may not get a response when on big open water like you PNW folks have, but you aren't out anything by giving it a shot when in a potential situation. We feel the same way when dealing with other recreational boaters. But at home, where the ship channels and ICW define the waterways, I always make a quick call on the VHF if in doubt. Well, except for the shrimpboats... heck, about half the time as they come in, there's no one at the helm. :shock:

See and avoid.

Even running the cruiseboats on Jackson Lake this summer, I used horn signals as we left the dock. This wasn't standard procedure there, and one of the other captains asked me, "What's the point?"

"Well, all those kayaks, canoes, and small boats may not have a clue why I'm honking three times... but, they DO turn their heads and look. Better that they know we're out here and moving than not."

Shortly after that, all the captains used horn signals.

One of our own here learned something about up/down river expectations and what constitutes a "fishing vessel." Education is a good thing. :D Better to know and use that information than to just assume no one else does and not.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Having spent the last 10 days motoring up the Tenn-Tom waterway on a 40' sailboat, I found that most of my attention was spent making sure I was out of the way than deciding the right of way. Going upstream it was best to take the inside of the turns since the barges needed most of the outside going down to swing wide for the turns. It was disappointing the number that responded to vhf contact tries even with several frequences tried. No problems were had with the 12 locks responding or recreational boaters but the tows were a different story. Early intentions were always made except when first site was made in the turn.
 
hello boris,
as jim and others will tell you, giving way when you clearly have right of way, when the other vessel is not responding correctly to your right of way, "is the law". it's each captain's responsible to do all that is possible to avoid collision and is regarded as the 3rd law. if a collision occurs both parties may be deemed as negligent.
now there are always exceptions, vessel holding course not aware of being over taken and is subsequently ran over. although it might be said that the vessel being over taken was not employing proper lookout and if they had they would have seen the other vessel in time to make proper course change. who know's?
bottom line, the majority of pleasure craft operators are not educated on the rules of the road or for that matter how to operate their vessel.
best regards
pat
 
Inland Rules:

As I recall when leaving a dock or approaching an curve in a river where you have an obstructive view a 'one long whistle/blast', generally 8-10 seconds, is given as a 'warning' to other craft.

The short blast is normally 1 second.

I find it easy to remember these as helm signals noting my intension and asking for an agreement from the other vessel; upon agreement I will execute the maneuver. If I get back what I send.... all is happy.

One short... I plan to turn right/starboard
Two short... I plan to turn left/port
Three short... I am in reverse
Four, or more... DANGER

I might be a little rusty on this. I do like a crutch to help me remember some of these items; also, such as 'red-to-red, go ahead' for running lights and remembering which side the red nav lite is on. :roll:

OH my, I wish I had my copy of my Nav Rules here, and not on the boat right now.

Art
 
Sea Angel":3pardynu said:
...
One short... I plan to turn right/starboard
Two short... I plan to turn left/port
...
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I'm sure you were referring to your corrective actions in a head to head approach. Of course the same actions if received from a vessel approaching your stern would create some 'added challenges' :shock:

It is an amazing exercise of 'Right of Way' interpretation when navigating through the middle of a busy harbor in the summer...ha ha...chaos. :smileo
 
Sea Angel":39z1r466 said:
I do like a crutch to help me remember some of these items; also, such as 'red-to-red, go ahead' for running lights and remembering which side the red nav lite is on. :roll:
Art
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As long as you don't remember something like "RED and GREEN, Go Between! :shock:

Charlie
 
I personally feel that all boaters need a license and vessel saftey check. Around Michigan, that would take 3/4 of them off the water. Including the fishing fools who like to drop anchor in the middle of a river.
 
generally, when the right of way thing just isn't working., i fire several rounds over the opposing vessel's bow to get their attention. this practice seems to work best for difficult captains!
pat
 
My favorite is,

"Your Rights Extend Up To, But Not Through The Other Guy". :wink

Everyone has right-of-way over my 16' C-Dory :cry

Jack :smiled
 
Capn Jack":5rnz6axq said:
My favorite is,


Everyone has right-of-way over my 16' C-Dory :cry

Jack :smiled
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....exactly! Just one more reason to love the simplicity about the greatest little boat, the 16 footer.
 
BUT IT REALLY IS CUTE !!! :wink
 
Ours was recently called "darling". I prefer to call it a humanitarian and peace keeping vessel.
 
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