Question For The Literotica Boating Crowd...

[FGB]

How is the "Stand On" Vessel Determined?

Sometimes from what i can see it's a case of making your best guess!

I know...when in doubt, slow down/stop or evade ASAP.

"When encountering another vessel, the stand-on vessel must: 1. Maintain course and speed. 2. Keep a proper lookout and return communication with the give-way vessel. 3. Do all it can to avoid collision"

 

[FGB]

Oh Shit!

http://www.safeboater.com/learn-the-rules/rules-of-the-road.aspx

 

[Ishmael]

Just look at your bow light. If the approaching boat is in your 'green quadrant' they have the right of way.

Ishmael

 

[FGB]

I actually passed a simulated test yesterday. The questions I messed up on was about Buoy's.

I'm not letting up until I know it all in my sleep. By the time actually need it (probably in a couple of months) I should be OK.

Most of it I was already doing my instinct or common sense or coping other boaters.

 

[phrodeau]

In America it's the one with the biggest guns.

 

[Sean]

Steam gives way to sail.

 

[FGB]

Speaking of guns...What is legal to have on board in say Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico?

 

[trysail]

Oh Shit!

http://www.safeboater.com/learn-the-rules/rules-of-the-road.aspx

It's all there. It really isn't that hard.


There is one subtlety that eludes many, though. Make DAMN sure the other vessel knows your intentions (i.e., as the burdened vessel, when you alter course to give way, make your intentions very clear; to the extent possible, exaggerate your course change to minimize the chance of misinterpretation).

Unless you're racing, there's no big point to shaving a hundred yards off your distance over ground in the interest of safety.




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[Ishmael]

Speaking of guns...What is legal to have on board in say Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico?

That is something you'll have to research. Especially WRT restricted ports, federal waters (parks, conservation zones, etc.). Generally speaking it's not worth the hassle.

Ishmael

 

[trysail]

Speaking of guns...What is legal to have on board in say Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico?

In the Caribees, there are very definitely two schools of thought on that subject.


One holds that you all you do is increase the odds of their use by having them on board. In addition, if you declare them, you exponentially increase the hassle factor when dealing with Customs and Immigration. Of course, if you don't declare them, and they're discovered, you may end up in the pokey.


The other? Well, you know the other.



For the Caribees:
https://www.safetyandsecuritynet.com/5180-2/
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[Ms_Ann]

Craft beers on the left: domestics on the right.

 

[FGB]

Anyone have SEA TOW?

 

[trysail]

Anyone have SEA TOW?

Judging from anecdotal information, I think a lot depends on the individual operator and the location.


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[FGB]

I called and asked how far off shore in the GOM I was covered.

Answer I received was anywhere my boat touches water I'm covered.
If they cannot get there because of limitations on gas mileage they will have the Coast guard tow me to where they can Hook on and tow...their money.

Bahamas and such places where they are not set up, the owner has to pay up front and they reimburse the money.

 

[Bidin~Time]

legit question...bump

 

[HisArpy]

Don't forget about boats which are "engaged in fishing" or "towing".

"Engaged in fishing" means more than booms out. Towing is self evident.


Basically if you have an approaching vessel in the "green quadrant" (which is dead ahead to 112* to starboard/right side) yield in the following manner:

Powered to human or sail to fishing and ferries to commercial traffic to towing to emergency craft.

http://www.boatsmartexam.com/knowledge-base/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/RuleOFRsponsibility2.jpg

Red quadrant (Port from dead ahead to 112* to port/left side) means you are the stand-on vessel. Maintain course and speed but be ready to take evasive action. Trust me, if there's a commercial container ship crossing your path from your left, YOU are going to yield to it even if you're coast guard rescue with lights on at full throttle.

Neat site with explanations which cover just about everything:

https://www.boatsmartexam.com/knowledge-base/article/boat-navigation-and-right-of-way/

 

[Conager]

Similar rules in the mine. We drive on the left so if you clip batwings, you don't go cab-to-cab and also in the event of a head-on, the drivers cabs get spared with a last second evasion. The truck on your left has the right of way because that's his blindside.

 

[OldJourno]

Anyone have SEA TOW?

Had it once. Took three bottles of Tinactin to get rid of it.
Doc said it was the worst case of sea toe he'd ever seen.

 

[Porkwarrior]

Guessing you're a wannabe stinkboater?

Bouys are easy, Red Right Returning.

Now PHRF windward/leeward blowboat races are fun...PROTEST!

 

[Bottomlover]

I don't know the places you'll be boating in, but sometimes in a harbor with more than one way in or out the buoys can get confusing. You need to use your charts until you know your local area.

Here's another cool thing to learn. If you see a vessel on a crossing course in the distance, watch it against the background. If it appears to be moving forward against the background, it will cross in front of you. If it appears to be moving backwards, you will cross in front of it. If it appears stationary, you are on a collision course. This works for as far as you can see.

 

[Lancecastor]

Boats are way safer than cars.

Why? ... fewer rules, fewer cops.

 

[Bigspurt]

Steam gives way to sail.

Not if the steamer is 100 tons and the sail is 500 pounds!

 

[Bigspurt]

I don't know the places you'll be boating in, but sometimes in a harbor with more than one way in or out the buoys can get confusing. You need to use your charts until you know your local area.

Here's another cool thing to learn. If you see a vessel on a crossing course in the distance, watch it against the background. If it appears to be moving forward against the background, it will cross in front of you. If it appears to be moving backwards, you will cross in front of it. If it appears stationary, you are on a collision course. This works for as far as you can see.

I was on an 85 foot yacht passing through New York Harbor at noon on a nice April day. I was on the fly bridge but on look out, not at the helm. My, such traffic. Barges. ferries, ships, all very interesting and challenging.

 

[Bottomlover]

I was on an 85 foot yacht passing through New York Harbor at noon on a nice April day. I was on the fly bridge but on look out, not at the helm. My, such traffic. Barges. ferries, ships, all very interesting and challenging.

That's a really challenging place, but as you say, one of the most interesting places to sail. There are several channels and the buoys can be confusing if you don't understand the place. I did many passages through there going from Connecticut to sail south down the coast and back again on a 28' Tartan. We had to time the passages on the East River and Hell Gate carefully to be able to do it with the low hull speed (about 7 knots). We also had to monitor the tugboat channel on the radio when going through the harbor and especially The Gate. It is customary (and common sense) to give tugs with barges ALL of the room available. They announce their presence and intentions a mile or two before they hit The Gate.

To the OP, you're not going to learn it all in a book or a class. Kudos for getting some training in the basics, but just get out on the water, do easy places first, and progress as your comfort allows. Listen to the radio and learn.