Question about COLREGS rule 9

[Carver Power]

Sounds like a shot across the bow would have been appropriate...

[rlevin73]

You were correct because you were constrained by draft and the other boat have been the giveaway vessel.

[Lodesman]

Let's dispel a few things - you weren't impeded; you said there was plenty of room for you both to manoeuvre.
You weren't (imo) the 'stand on' vessel; nor were you the 'give way' vessel. The only applicable rule that could impose those labels is rule 18, but we all know that rule is prefaced with

Except where Rules 9, 10 and 13 otherwise require

The very first part of rule 9 states:

(a) A vessel proceeding along the course of a narrow channel or fairway shall keep as near to the outer limit of the channel or fairway which lies on her starboard side as is safe and practicable

Note it says "vessel" so applies to sail and power alike. The other vessel failed in the first to stay starboard.
At this point, five blasts (34d) and then taking action as necessary to avoid collision (rule 2).

[Aaarrgh]

If an alligator jumps up on your cockpit, I humbly suggest that you do not hold your ground, unless you have sufficient firepower to mitigate the circumstance.

I've come bow-to-bow with a few sailors from the pier where my slip is, that I KNOW have many years' more sailing experience than I. Regardless, to preserve life, limb, and boat, I did whatever I could to "escape"... moves that I was not "guideline"d to make. Someone has to be considerate in these situations. "If not me, then who? If not now, then when?"

In my "consideration", I have spotted these sailors at the pier, offered them an adult beverage (which they had no hesitation to accept, and consume), and then I would ask for some clarification of the COLREGS.

Nothing but blank stares, or incorrect responses.

You can get wrong every ASA101 test question regarding Chapter 6, and still become certified, but overcoming one's selfishness is not covered by ANY ASA Course.

I'm just sayin',
Aaarrgh!

[David M]

You just have to keep in mind that most yachties are ignorant of the COLREGS and go about your day....like water shedding off ducks back.

[Bill bag]

Basic, U were beyond correct, you were dealing with A-H who heard somebody say the vessel under sailhas right of way. They never went any further with there education.
Now with that & probably about $3. U can get a beer at some reasonable dive & laf the whole situation off.
Bill:

[uncledom]

I always operate under the impression that I am the only one that knows the rules and try to communicate in what ever way possible to find out if I'm right or pleasantly surprised.

[danielamartindm]

Well, the good thing is, the incident caused you to review the COLREGS. When something like this scares the hell out of us, we really want to learn from it; but sometimes the lesson boils down to "That guy was a real jerk."

[guitarrich]

ColRegs also state that it is the responsibility of both parties to avoid a collision! That’s unequivocal.

I used to teach cruiser sailing in the UK and Europe, and certainly in latter years I always stressed that the “sail gives way to power” thing must be bourne in mind, but never insisted on. For example, commercial people going about their daily tasks on the water should be granted full respect by sailors who may be just out having fun. This is particularly important in my often crowded home waters of The Solent, southern England.

Whilst I hold a commercial licence for both power and sail, my sailboat experience is by far the most extensive. The watchword is, and always should be “Courtesy”. My heart is warmed to see the vast majority of posters here agree! (There will always be rude yobs in any sport. We have to try and rise above, and if possible, gently educate the rude and naive!)

[Mike Banks]

It sounds as though the sailing boat went out of its way to maintain a collision course with you, when they could have eased their helm until you had passed them safely by.

That was naughty of them. It was deliberate endangering of both their vessel and yours.

Common sense is the rule that must prevail--and altering course to allow another vessel to pass safely is just common courtesy.

[philiosophy]

A wise Mariner stands by on VHF Ch.16 even if there is a lot of buzz. Then you can the other person to make passing arrangements. Had there been a collision that is one of the questions that would have come up. It is I believe the law and if you tried to call the other vessel on 16 you would be on recording as having done that.Quite possibly a big help to your side of the case.

[JasonL]

Not quite Rule 9, but, we have two sailing clubs that use mostly the same lateral marks, at which we all race to/from, this is just social afternoon sailing, no huge prizes on offer, but, in one fleet ( not the fleet I sail with) is an extremely arrogant elderly chap, of Germanic origin, who delights in calling "Starboard Tack", prior to having tacked from Port, and expects all, to move aside, for his highness!

Well,,, **** him,, couple weeks back, I had rounded the mark, and was on course to next mark, just tootling along,when Germanic Boy, aims straight for my stern, yells out "Starboard, get off my course line, you are not in our race"

I flipped a bird, turned my back, and stood firm.
Yes, he had to deviate, after all, he was the faster, and overtaking boat.

I had visions of 3" cannons broadside, to his waterline,,,,

[TrentePieds]

An interesting anecdote, but I fail to see how it is relevant to the OP's question, ana therefore to thread ??

TP

[TeddyDiver]

Originally Posted by TrentePieds

An interesting anecdote, but I fail to see how it is relevant to the OP's question, ana therefore to thread ??

TP

3" canons, hence the relevance

[markstansfield]

This is a tough one experienced many times in the Norfolk broads (uk). The sailing boat is tacking up the river (Chanel or space) and the motor boat (or sailboat under engine comes the other way), what to do? The sailboat is basically doing what it can do, and as long as the motor boat isn’t flying any day shapes might reasonably expect it to keep clear, and as another sailboat skipper why wouldn’t you as long as you could?