Rules of the Road...

J

JamesTXSD

Active member
No Captain Jim comic strip this week... Dan tells me that he is working on an expanded strip (Sunday edition) that will take more time. I'm thinking Arizona in the Superbowl had more to do with it (even though he is a true Packer fan). :wink:

So, for those who think that fictional Captain Jim guy is a bumbler, here's a little visual quiz on things you might see "out there".

You're heading down a waterway and come across a vessel displaying these lights/shapes...

DredgeLightsE.jpg

What does this mean?

Sure, you can refer to your Chapman's, but there is a definite action to be taken as you proceed.

(Que the Jeopardy theme music)

Best wishes,
Jim B. (the real Captain Jim)

Hint: the vessel in question has a large auger-looking thing on one end and a big pipe coming out the other end.
 
Question 2:

Further down the waterway, you come across this daymark...

DaymarkE.jpg

What action should you take?

------------------------------------

Not planning this to be a regular, on-going thread, just a little Monday-morning diversion. Feel free to post your own images.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Hey captain, ahead there is a vessel not able to maneuver and we should pass on the side with the diamonds and avoid the side with the balls.

Once passed it looks like we are on the safe side and we can go.

Sea ya
 
Hi Tuberider,

Exactly. "Red-white-red (or round-diamond-round), men working ahead." I put the hint in to let folks know it's a dredge, but those light/shapes don't specifically mean a dredge... just "restricted in ability to maneuver." The diamonds ("Diamonds are your friend") indicate the safe side to pass on. The other side (two reds or two balls) had a partially submerged pipe across the waterway. REAL important to know which side to pass on.

So, how 'bout the second question... Bueler?... Anyone?... Anyone? :wink:
 
Based on the use of diamond symbols on the dredge, I am going to hazzard a guess that the 4 diamond sign is essentially a stop, do not go further, sign.

Warren
 
rogerbum":27gwsp5j said:
That's a Danger daymark. Could mean any number of things including shallow water, submerged items (nets, pylons, etc).
Click to expand...

To quote every infomercial ever made, "But, wait - there's more!" :wink:

How 'bout some of the licensed captains out there?
 
marvin4239":f2a2hy5w said:
I'm not a licensed captain actually probably lucky to have a drivers license but Chapmans says "Daymark Non-Lateral Significance"
Click to expand...

Good on you, Marvin. When it doubt, look it up. Good to have a Chapman's onboard. The daymark in the second photo may not have "lateral significance", but it marks a danger (as Rogerbum said)... in this case, it is the small island that you see behind the mark (a pretty good hint). That island is at the intersection of two channels... so, while it doesn't matter whether you go right or left of the mark (the lateral significance), it is pretty darn important that you DO go to one side or the other.

Here's an extra credit question: there are little memory jogs used to remember the lights... one that we frequently see offshore here is: "Green over white, men fishing at night." That indicates an activity that is higher up the chain than simply motoring/sailing along. If you see a couple guys in a bass boat with lines out, drift fishing, is that considered a fishing vessel? What's the stand on/give way situation as you come upon them?

Extra, extra credit: finish this mnemonic (and explain what it means)- "Three greens in a cross..."
 
Captains Cat":24q9pahj said:
How about "RED AND GREEN, GO BETWEEN"

:shock: :cry This is not recommended.... :thup

Charlie
Click to expand...

Which brings up the Rule of Displacement... also known as: big boat eats little boat. :wink:
 
My guess is and it is a guess you would have to give way to the bass boat. As far as the three green lights I think that is a mine sweeper.
 
marvin4239":2fzlaco3 said:
My guess is and it is a guess you would have to give way to the bass boat. As far as the three green lights I think that is a mine sweeper.
Click to expand...

Ding, ding, ding - we have a winner. "Three greens in a cross, MINE SWEEPER is boss." And regarding the bass boat: just because they are fishing, it doesn't make them a "fishing vessel"... no further restriction in their ability to maneuver, so they are just another powerboat on the water and the typical "Rules" apply. Now, common courtesy would have you give them some room so they can enjoy their fishing.

To keep this going a bit further... can that same bass boat tie off to a daymark?

Extra credit: what type of vessel is at the bottom of "priority chain" in the Rules of the Road?

Best wishes,
Jim

PS - If you see a mine sweeper in operation, do you really want to be ANYWHERE NEAR THEM??? :shock:
 
They are not considered to be a fishing vessel with priority and if they are sitting in a channel they better get out of the way.

Their priority would be in line with a power boat and she should would be the stand on vessel if not underway so that other boats can maneuver around it.

Golly your fast at the questions. The overtaking vessel is at the bottom(least priority), then the sea plane then the power boat,sail boat, fishing boat. cbd, ram, nuc and finally at the top the overtaken.
 
colobear":1aolnzjr said:
the bass boat cannot tie off to a daymark. no mooring or tying off to any aid to navigation
Click to expand...

Yet, we still see them tied to daymarks and anchored in the channels around here. :roll:

Another question: you see a sailboat operating just after sunset; sails are out and drawing, he is on a starboard tack. He is displaying the following lights: standard red/green side lights, white stern light, forward white light. What can you assume and where is he in "the pecking order"?

If folks aren't enjoying this thread, I'll stop asking questions. Nice to see some new faces answer; so if you've already answered a question, time for you to post a new question and encourage others to participate. :D While general in nature, this has been a fun thread that directly relates to boating. Nothing political, not economy related, haven't even mentioned the weather... yet. 8) I'll sit on my hands for a while and let some others come up with interesting quesions/scenerios.

Thanks for playing!

Best wishes,
Jim
 
JamesTXSD":111r30o2 said:
If folks aren't enjoying this thread, I'll stop asking questions.
Click to expand...

Quite the contrary, Jim. It's a rather cool tool. In order to make it less apt to disappear and more readily accessible to someone who may be looking for something like it, the thread has been moved to the Seamanship forum.

Thanks!
 
That isn't a sailboat, it's a power boat, and wherever a powerboat is in the pecking order is where it's at.

Is a seaplane actually below a powerboat?

Boris
 
Back
Top