I Think I had Right of Way...

[Ex-Calif]

First this blue ship got in my way. He was big and was acting like he owned the channel.

Then this other dude showed up like he owned the channel.

I was a sailboat and moreover I was on Starboard tack...

They were all like, "Excuse us while we execute this head on pass." and I'm yelling like, "Excuse me! Sailboat under sail fellahs!"

Discuss...

[CptLawrence]

A ship may not be able to avoid you even if given proper reaction time. Wind and tide might cooperate or might not. I always steer for their stern or angle away from their course.

Reminds me of the story of a ship arriving in port with a whole sailing rig hanging from a bow anchor, sails and all, they didn't know it was there until they tied up.

[Neo]

Wicked funny.

[Cormorant]

In cases like that it's very important to stand on and assert your rights. Show 'em who's boss!

CRUNCH. GLUB GLUB.

Oh, never mind.

[DeepFrz]

and I'm yelling like, "Excuse me! Sailboat under sail fellahs!"

Well, there's your problem right there. I might have been a woman on the helm...just sayin...

[mbianka]

This situation falls under the "might makes right" rule!

[Ex-Calif]

For perspective in photo 3

The Ketch in line with the blue ship's stern is pushing 60 feet

The two blue hulls behind the dock shack are for 40-45 footers

We estimated the tanker at over 400 feet and the blue one at 100+

Typical traffic in our little neck or the woods - All the dinghy's are Access 1.5s or Lasers.

[letsgetsailing3]

Excuse me, but what color was your boat again?

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by letsgetsailing3

Excuse me, but what color was your boat again?

The white one with the brown stains on the cockpit bench -

[nigel1]

Is this the Johor Strait we are looking at, pictures taken from Changi maybe?

[klmmicro]

We as a whole need to assert ourselves when we have the right of way...why do we let these guys push us around!?

[markpierce]

Ships do own the channel. The USCG told the sailors on VHF radio that is so. This ship even gave a prolonged signal to confirm this rule.

[MarkJ]

Oh, geeze Dan, they arn't ships! They are tiny!

There aint no Panamax there! Even the bigger one is too small to take the kids fishing.

But i do remember when i was there sailing on your boat they did come kinda close. The channel turns through 90 degrees and the two ships would get pretty squashed.

I think you should yell louder and with a British accent... Wearing a yachting blazer and cravat would help too....

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by nigel1

Is this the Johor Strait we are looking at, pictures taken from Changi maybe?

Yes this is from Changi clubhouse looking across at Pulau Ubin. Northeast corner of Singapore.

Up channel on the Malaysia side is a pretty big docking facility.

Further up is Sembawang shipyard and they do some repairs up there - This guy is obviously unloaded but there is also a palm oil loading facility up there.

I've never seen anything this big in the channel loaded. I don't recall the depth in the middle and my charts aren't handy. He may have been up for maintenance?

[IdoraKeeper]

That's it, no cravat no right of way.