Almost run over.

[Ungvar]

It might be a bit of a stretch referring to Yacht crews as professional mariners. Some are, a lot aren't.

Of course, the overtaking Yacht should have given you more room, but allowing yourself only a 50 foot CPA when you were aware a risk of collision existed might not have been your most prudent course of action.

A couple clicks to starboard on your autopilot a few miles out probably wouldn't have ruined your day.

Sent from my XP7700 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[ontherocks83]

Originally Posted by Ungvar

It might be a bit of a stretch referring to Yacht crews as professional mariners. Some are, a lot aren't.

Of course, the overtaking Yacht should have given you more room, but allowing yourself only a 50 foot CPA when you were aware a risk of collision existed might not have been your most prudent course of action.

A couple clicks to starboard on your autopilot a few miles out probably wouldn't have ruined your day.

Sent from my XP7700 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

Cut him a break. I am sure the closure rate was much faster then expected and he stated that he only noticed them from 1/2 mile out. Not alot of time to react or be able to accurately see their course until things got tight.

Good job CPT BILL avoiding the collision. I would have been tempted to shoot a flare over their bow and continually afterwards until I got their attention.

[Ungvar]

I agree, the motor yacht was the primary aggressor here, but I think if you review Rule 8 (a),(d) and especially 17 (a) ii and 17 (b).

17(a)ii and 17 (b) exists specifically for this reason, if you think some one is going to run into you, you don't continue to stand on.

If you are going to take a strong position on a situation or incident based on the collision regulations, you have to take all the rules into account, not just the ones the other guy wasn't following.

Sent from my XP7700 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[Dulcesuenos]

Yeah its only an issue if your disabled or in distress, no excuse for Andiamo to not have a lookout

Sent from my PLT1077G using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[rognvald]

Bill,
We never assume competence on any vessel sailing within close proximity to our boat . . . yes, that includes sailboats. However, it seems that all mega-pleasure yachts assume they have the right of way and there is no guarantee of competence by the captain or crew. Your story is a good example of this problem. However, the worse, by far, in my opinion, are the commercial shrimpers in the Gulf of Mexico whether running free or dragging their nets. It has been our experience that they will never alter course nor respond to any radio calls. I suggest you file a written report, wherever it is possible, with the vessel's name, time, and details. I was told by Coast Guard Miami when we were nearly hit at anchor by a commercial tour boat that any written complaints are kept in a captain's personal file and the grievous ones will be prosecuted. Thanks for sharing your story. This is far more common than most people realize. Good luck and safe sailing.

[JPA Cate]

Bill, et al,

A very similar event occurred last year, but the sailboat wasn't fast enough: the collision killed the man's wife/gf, and sunk the boat he'd built.

It seems that in these areas where people have skippered charters, some of the skippers are extremely negligent, and sailing boat sailors have to decide and move very quickly because the power boats are closing so fast with them.

It's a damned scary situation.

Ann

[garrobito]

I found point my searchlight directly to bridge, sound my horn and call on by vhf sometimes work.. mostly time I need to move out and discuss later.. I got a couple fight over the fact some captain are very sensible about the fact I pointed their boat with my high output spot light over the bridge but well.. what you don't learn at home, you learn at the street in the worst way...

[barnakiel]

I am in the launcher club too.

b.

[Travis McGee]

I think Andiamo means "Let's Go!" in Italian. They sure were going.

I keep a million candlepower light handy to the cockpit for occasions like that. If they don't respond on Channel 16 or to horn signals, light up their bridge. Nothing gets their attention like a million CP.

[Hoofsmit]

Ok , gotta put a word in ! But I know some will not like it !
There is no excuse for the incident in post#1
But
This topic seems to be turning into....' Only power boats make mistakes' and ' I have a sail boat so I am the only one who knows what they are doing on the water'
We all have responsibilities under colregs, the funny thing is that when the ' yachties' anchored outside of the harbour where I live jump in their dinghy or turn the 'donkey on' to help propulsion or steerage with the white flappy things still hoisted -they forget they are a power boat ! and seem to think colregs by passing port to port in a channel doesn't apply or the speed limit - no wake zone is some how never going to apply to them as its only large luxury motor vessels or speed boats that cause problems
It amazes me that most charter guests that I do checkouts for are well prep'd and know at least their limitations, I would say the ( retired) adventurer cruising couples and live boards are often the most arrogant and uneducated when it comes to colregs and etiquette on the water ( in my experience)
But this is a generalisation and no better than other posters opinions so I will deserve the back lash




Sent from my iPad.......i apologise for the auto corrects !!!

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by Travis McGee

I think Andiamo means "Let's Go!" in Italian. They sure were going.

I keep a million candlepower light handy to the cockpit for occasions like that. If they don't respond on Channel 16 or to horn signals, light up their bridge. Nothing gets their attention like a million CP.

Not so effective in daylight hours as this situation was.

Jim

[Hoofsmit]

And don't get my onto, day shape use for motor sailing !


Sent from my iPad.......i apologise for the auto corrects !!!

[Dockhead]

I don't want to minimize how terrible the superyacht bridge was, but you also, with respect, failed in collision avoidance.

You should not have still been standing on 5 cables off. As the stand on vessel, you're allowed to take action as soon as it is apparent he was not taking action, and you were obligated to as soon as his action alone couldn't resolve the situation.

In open water, a mile is probably a reasonable safe CPA under most circumstances, and you should not have let him get within a mile of you.


Again, I'm not justifying the incredible negligence of the superyacht guys. But the incident need not have been so dramatic. And risky. If there had been a collision, you would have gotten part of the blame.


Edit: When I wrote that, I had not read Ungvar's post. I agree with him 100%.

[denverd0n]

Originally Posted by Hoofsmit

This topic seems to be turning into....' Only power boats make mistakes' and ' I have a sail boat so I am the only one who knows what they are doing on the water'...

Huh!?! I didn't get that--AT ALL--from any of the posts!

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by garrobito

I found point my searchlight directly to bridge, sound my horn and call on by vhf sometimes work.. mostly time I need to move out and discuss later.. I got a couple fight over the fact some captain are very sensible about the fact I pointed their boat with my high output spot light over the bridge but well.. what you don't learn at home, you learn at the street in the worst way...

Why would you bother doing all that?

Once you have a reasonable belief that he is not maneuvering -- and by 3 or 4 miles out, if you still have a collision course, then that belief is reasonable -- then just maneuver yourself to maintain CPA of at least a mile. So you don't let him get within a mile of you.

That is simple and safe. And complies with the COLREGS.


If you shine a light on his bridge or whatever -- what do you expect to happen? A sudden maneuver from him? If you're close enough to shine a light on him, you are already far too close -- you should have maneuvered long before getting to that stage.


Remember that BOTH vessels have an equal responsibility to avoid a collision. Who is stand-on and who is give-way is NOT an allocation of responsibility (and so is unlike "right of way" on land). It is just the order of maneuvering. If he doesn't take his turn in maneuvering while you "hold still", then you are obligated to take yours, and you are obligated to do it early enough to maintain a safe CPA.


Another rule which is really helpful for this situation -- Never Stand On Into Danger.