All things COLREGS no 2

[Rustic Charm]

This is another question I had that I thought of during the other one. Thought it might be useful as a seperate question. And as I can't add a new poll to the other one.

Question to ponder: How necessary is it to learn/know the COLREGS?

I suspect this one will be heavily influenced by geographical locations, possibly type and size of vessel and possibly whether recreational or professional.

When voting you can vote for any number of questions.

[StuM]

I went for "it depends on where you sail".

If you only ever sail on Inland Waterways, knowledge of the appropriate "inland regulations" is essential instead. Type, size, recreational/professional and day/night are all irrelevant. If you are on the water, you need to know the rules that apply.

[FamilyVan]

I think the skipper of any decent sized vessel should know the regs well. If you're passage making then a person on each watch should have a working knowledge, and instructions to wake the skipper if they're uncertain. Certainly aboard anything you would define as a cruising yacht- the skipper should understand the rules pretty well(not memorise-understand).

I don't see location as being a big factor, if you're in an isolated area, rescue is more difficult.

Inland waters likely mean different things to different people but my inland lake is busy- potentially very busy. However if your inland lake is an alpine pond, not as big of a deal.

The rules in Canada- if you operate any boat with more than 10 hp, you are required to be licenced. The exam is by no means a comprehensive testing of the ColRegs, but it definitely does ask basic ColReg type questions. You are unlikely to pass the exam without either a boating course, or at least some reading.

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[rwidman]

One choice should have been "I'm not touching this with a ten foot pole."

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by rwidman

One choice should have been "I'm not touching this with a ten foot pole."

Isn't that the 'not important at all' option?

Or is it your not interested at all in which case thank you for taking the time to inform us all of that.

[Duct Tape]

If you are going to operate any vessel on any stretch of water where you are likely to encounter any other vessel, know the rules. If not for your own safety then at least for the safety of others.

[El Pinguino]

Just don't try too hard to 'analise' the fine print... they are worded the way they are so simple sailormen can understand them... don't need no sea lawyers on my bridge..that's for sure.

[Wotname]

Hmm... OK, I vote for the first three

I think all waterway users should have a basic understanding of the COLREGS or at least know they even exist.
I think the depth of knowledge depends on where you sail/cruise e.g. sailing the English Channel requires a whole more knowlege than the backwaters of the Huon river (I presume).
I think professional mariners don't have any option especially as they could be sailing where at any time and should be on the water way more often than say me .

[FamilyVan]

Well, professional mariners (deck officers), don't have a choice because you can't be one of you don't know the ColRegs. There are tests before they give you pretty bars for your shoulders.

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[avb3]

The question is the same as if you had a car and wanted to know if you need to know the rules of the road.

The answer is yes, you need to know the COLREGS. If you don't at least attempt to understand them, what are you doing out on the water?

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by El Pinguino

Just don't try too hard to 'analise' the fine print... they are worded the way they are so simple sailormen can understand them... don't need no sea lawyers on my bridge..that's for sure.

That's what was impressed upon us at the maritime college.

[FamilyVan]

Originally Posted by Rustic Charm

That's what was impressed upon us at the maritime college.

Really? Because there were a bunch of pedantic old brits at my maritime college that made us remember the whole thing word for word. Then there the Indian instructors- they were worse.

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[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by FamilyVan

Really? Because there were a bunch of pedantic old brits at my maritime college that made us remember the whole thing word for word. Then there the Indian instructors- they were worse.

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When and where was that ? They had cut that out in the UK by the mid 60's ( well, in London at least).

2nd mates orals and onwards ... presented with a situation , asked what you would do, and then asked under what rule did you do what you did.

Get one wrong and you were back on the street.

People from the sub continent were always good at parroting the rules but often had no practical understanding of them.

[FamilyVan]

Originally Posted by El Pinguino

When and where was that ? They had cut that out in the UK by the mid 60's ( well, in London at least).

2nd mates orals and onwards ... presented with a situation , asked what you would do, and then asked under what rule did you do what you did.

Get one wrong and you were back on the street.

People from the sub continent were always good at parroting the rules but often had no practical understanding of them.

That was Canada in the early 90s. The tc examiners weren't to bad, but if you wanted a degree to go along with the licence....

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[rwidman]

Originally Posted by Rustic Charm

Isn't that the 'not important at all' option?

Or is it your not interested at all in which case thank you for taking the time to inform us all of that.

You're welcome.

There's a concurrent thread on the same topic and the only result is a lot of head bumping and arguing. A second thread on the same topic is not likely to make things any better.

I think the most important thing to know about the COLREGS is, unless it's a professional, the boater you meet on the water is unlikely to know them. While you might know what to do and what he/she should do, you should assume that he/she won't do that and be prepared to take appropriate action. There's a difference between being right and being dead right.