All things COLREGS

[carstenb]

As others have pointed out - there is no "right of way" in the Colregs.

Unfortunately many either have never learned the Regs or have forgotten them. In many waters (read: little to no traffic) this is perhaps not terribly important, but when you sail in the waters Dockhead or I do - then you need to be very sharp on the Colregs.

And if you sail at night, then you really should know theem by rote and know how to both implement and interpert them

But we've said all that before

[Reefmagnet]

Originally Posted by Duct Tape

As for Reefmagnet: you are a danger to yourself and more importantly others at sea. Learn the rules!

Lol. I collided with a Cardinal mark once. Damned thing was smaller than me yet refused to yield!

Seriously, who has never been on a boat with the red and green hint stickers in the cockpit?

My recollection of the COLREGS is that skippers have an obligation to not collide with one another although there is some mumbo jumbo in there regarding who "stands on" and what not in different scenarios. Far as I can tell, a lot of people don't oblige by it anyway.

[monte]

Ok I have a quick question that doesn't deserve it's own thread..sailing downwind on a broad reach, I'm on a starboard tack and the other vessel is on a broad reach on a port tack on a collision course. Who is the stand on vessel in open sea and who is the stand on vessel during a sailing race?

[Reefmagnet]

Starboard tack vessel stands on and the port tack vessel should pass to the rear. I don't think being in a race really makes any difference. And if it does it shouldn't.

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by monte

Ok I have a quick question that doesn't deserve it's own thread..sailing downwind on a broad reach, I'm on a starboard tack and the other vessel is on a broad reach on a port tack on a collision course. Who is the stand on vessel in open sea and who is the stand on vessel during a sailing race?

So, you want to know which one has 'right of way'?

[Duct Tape]

One easy way to settle this would be to agree that a boat may have a " right of way" but that it is not absolute. I think we may well be arguing semantics...

Reefmagnet: damn Cardinal marks!

As Carstenb pointed out, in heavy traffic areas you may find yourself over taking a vessel while being over taken by 2, have 2 vessels coming head on, have three crossing situations from port and another from starboard, it's dark,rough, windy and pissing down with rain with poor visibility...to each of those vessels you have duties and obligations, you are the "stand on" vessel to some and at the same time the " give way" vessel to others. A competent watchkeeper should be able to instantly determine the appropriate actions to take according to the ColRegs.

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by monte

Ok I have a quick question that doesn't deserve it's own thread..sailing downwind on a broad reach, I'm on a starboard tack and the other vessel is on a broad reach on a port tack on a collision course. Who is the stand on vessel in open sea and who is the stand on vessel during a sailing race?

What Rm said. There are some nuances mostly around obligations to give room when you have to and such.

[carstenb]

Originally Posted by Duct Tape

One easy way to settle this would be to agree that a boat may have a " right of way" but that it is not absolute. I think we may well be arguing semantics...

Reefmagnet: damn Cardinal marks!

As Carstenb pointed out, in heavy traffic areas you may find yourself over taking a vessel while being over taken by 2, have 2 vessels coming head on, have three crossing situations from port and another from starboard, it's dark,rough, windy and pissing down with rain with poor visibility...to each of those vessels you have duties and obligations, you are the "stand on" vessel to some and at the same time the " give way" vessel to others. A competent watchkeeper should be able to instantly determine the appropriate actions to take according to the ColRegs.

For those who have never thried sialing in heavily trafficed waters, here is a link to the Danish Øresund (waters between Denmark/Sweden)

This si a pretty slow day - what you can see is that near the top, betweenthe cities labelled Helsingør and Helingborg - there are 6 ferries zooming back and forth and there are always several doing their crossing - add in ca ouple of hundred pleasure boats on a nice summer day and it can get stressful (even more so at night)

Live Ships Map - AIS - Vessel Traffic and Positions - AIS Marine Traffic

Now look at where Dockhead sails

This is the English Channel - need I say more? Try this at night

Live Ships Map - AIS - Vessel Traffic and Positions - AIS Marine Traffic

These are the southern Danish waters

Live Ships Map - AIS - Vessel Traffic and Positions - AIS Marine Traffic

[monte]

Ok, interesting point that this is the reverse of any other vessels with the same status, ie both under power...

[FamilyVan]

To expand on the OPs original question, the answer is more complex then can be given in a short answer. Considerations:
-power?
-sail?
-trawling?
-fishing?
-surveying?
-nav aids tender?
-narrow channel?
-restricted in maneuverability?
-constrained by draft?
-upwind or downwind (sail only)
-overtaking?
-restricted visibility- nearly totally different set of rules apply here.



Sent from my SGH-I547C using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by monte

Ok, interesting point that this is the reverse of any other vessels with the same status, ie both under power...
Attachment 98577

Correct and which is why pointing ability and being on the correct tack during the start is so important in racing.

If B points higher than C then C must tack away. Imagine C is on the lay line and I am B - I come up on port and tack under and then I drive him off the line seriously messing up his race.

Now if,say, B could not point higher than C and there was a landmass coming up. B could hail for room to tack and C must also give way even if sailing on this tack for a 30-60 more seconds is what C wants to do.

[Reefmagnet]

Originally Posted by monte

Ok, interesting point that this is the reverse of any other vessels with the same status, ie both under power...
Attachment 98577

Is it?

[monte]

Actually it's the example on the right I was referring to where under power the stand on/give way rule would be reversed.

[Reefmagnet]

That's because the upwind vessel has to give way to the downwind when both are on the same tack or the tack can't be determined. It's akin to an overtaking powerboat (or sailboat, I guess) being responsible for keeping clear of the vessel it is passing imo.

But yes it is confusing.

To add to this, I personally have always found that particular rule odd, for two reasons. Firstly the downwind boat must be more capable of getting out of the way (e.g. turning downwind) then the upwind vessel and 2) For most sailing rigs, the downwind boat has a clearer view of an upwind vessel whereby sails can block the downwind view. On the latter point, I realise that the crew of the downwind boat are more likely looking downwind, but I can vouch for sails blocking downwind view. That's how I hit a Cardinal mark! Couldn't see the damned thing past the genoa.

[monte]

Sorry that's not it, I'll draw it, port and starboard tacks..

So the opposite of both vessels under power...