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sailorboy1 · 11-06-2010, 15:47

So here I am this afternoon sitting in the cockpit while on a mooring having a well deserved cold drink after a short crossing; and in comes a plane on the water! And as it gets into the mooring field it comes to a boat going out.

So who is the stand on and give way on this one?

cal40john · 11-06-2010, 16:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Lucas

So here I am this afternoon sitting in the cockpit while on a mooring having a well deserved cold drink after a short crossing; and in comes a plane on the water! And as it gets into the mooring field it comes to a boat going out.

So who is the stand on and give way on this one?

Rule 18 part (d/e)

A seaplane on the water shall, in general, keep well clear of all vessels and avoid impeding their navigation. In circumstances, however, where risk of collision exists, she shall comply with the Rules of this Part.

Our club has a test before you can take out boats. One person years ago came back the next day after taking the test and said he was going to tell us that our test question is wrong about seaplane right of way. He flew seaplanes and his job was working with plane regulations. He went and looked up the FARs and found that we were right. He said If I didn't know the regs about on the water right of way, I'm pretty sure there are many seaplane pilots that don't either.

I've seen this come up on another forum, apparently many seaplane pilots think they have right of way.

John

Blue Stocking · 11-06-2010, 16:56

Makes sense--if I had a brig at 18000 ft, I would give the 747 right-of-way

CharlieCobra · 11-06-2010, 17:57

Sailing in the San Juan's you have to deal with them all of the time, especially at Friday Harbor. they have particular areas they use so I try to stay out of the way. Ultimately, sailing craft have the ROW but I wouldn't push the issue...

Tempest245 · 11-06-2010, 18:42

The pecking order is:

Nuc
Ram
CBD
Fish
Sail
Power
Seaplanes.

Bash · 11-06-2010, 19:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tempest245

The pecking order is:

Nuc
Ram
CBD
Fish
Sail
Power
Seaplanes.

Yeah, but it gets tricky when the seaplane is towing a barge while engaged in dredging operations.

MarkJ · 12-06-2010, 04:53

In Sydney Harbour and Broken Bay they have seaplanes dropping rich bastards into restaurants for lunch (Read bank managers, Lawyers and politicians). When I see one coming in I always turn away at 90 degrees to their 'runway' for 2 reasons, one to give them room and 2 so they can see I am giving them room.

Those small sea planes have an added difficulty than we do: the ripples. Just a boats wake may cause a float to plow in if its not expected on otherwise flat water.
Their critical moment is much shorter than ours so I gives thems a few more inches that they may be expecting. Its no skin off my nose and one day he might be the seach plane pilot!

senormechanico · 12-06-2010, 06:12

If I could write the rules, I'd put seaplanes ahead of jetskis.
You should see what the North end of Lake Washington is like in the summer.
Kenmore Air's operations work out of there and there's a 5 mph area which encompasses the landing spot. Boaters completely ignore the planes and I'm amazed there haven't been crashes.

sailorboy1 · 12-06-2010, 16:00

what if the plane is trolling a net (fishing)?

SabreKai · 12-06-2010, 22:39

Seems to me that the reg makes no sense. A float plane on the water is a lot less manuverable than a boat. Seaplanes generally don't have the ability to stop or reverse unless they are equipped with a reverse pitch prop. Smaller ones as a rule don't have that.

Anyway, thanks for letting me know. If I have gone with what I know, I'd have said the rule was ROW for boats.

Sabre

MarkJ · 12-06-2010, 22:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Lucas

what if the plane is trolling a net (fishing)?

The flying fish give way.

bill good · 13-06-2010, 03:15

as soon as you start up an aircraft it starts to move & it has no brakes!! & yes you need a speedboat license to operate a water operated aircraft. (or equiv.) when on the water it is a boat & must comply with all the boat rules. it just combines all the dangers of small boats with all the dangers of small aircraft in one package!! & you can use the doors as sails if you need.

unbusted67 · 13-06-2010, 07:18

Serious-------Seaplane
People--------Power driven
Start---------Sailing vessel
Feeling-------Fishing Vessel
Doubtful------Draft (constrained by) -international only
Right---------Restricted in abaility to maneuver
Now----------Not under command

See how I did that?

speakeasy · 13-06-2010, 08:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by senormechanico

If I could write the rules, I'd put seaplanes ahead of jetskis.
You should see what the North end of Lake Washington is like in the summer.
Kenmore Air's operations work out of there and there's a 5 mph area which encompasses the landing spot. Boaters completely ignore the planes and I'm amazed there haven't been crashes.

BTW, when is jetski season. I have a new rifle and want to quiet my favorite anchorage. Is there a jetski limit? How many can I shoot?