Traffic types and conditions and actions can be different, tho the rules basically are the same.
the large commercial ships in our area :
San Pedro Channel : On
catalina passages from the mainland of southern
california those large commercial vessels are constrained to a traffic lanes and they are making mucho knots.
We have no electronic wonders, no radar, just our eyes and good sense.
1. Take a bearing on the large commercial vessel. If it is any where near a collision bearing we take early ample action and pass the ship on his stern. They are constrained to the traffic lane. We are a sailing vessel, lucky to be makng 5 or 6 kts. So, we make an obvious plan to pass astern.
2. The other large ship situations are in Long Beach and L.A. harbor. Especially at the narrow entrances at the jettys for both Long Beach and L.A. Harbor We stand clear . In the harbor anchorage area, we watch for any sign of those large ships underway, and making way. Or getting ready to make way. Avoid any possible problems ahead of time.
3. Been sailing out of
Newport Bay, CA. for nearly 40 years, almost daily as an instructor and during the summer, you can have more than a thousand boats of various types to avoid, or they to a avoid you...
those are, several fleets of yacht club dingy races, mostly
kids in sailing dingys, and same for fleets from different youth sailing organizations that are
learning to sail and the instructor skiff is keeping an eye on his or her charges.
Then we have the sailing vessels, like me who are teaching lessons, plus , other sailing vessels heading out to see, or just
day sailing in the harbor.
Add to that, the yacht club sanction
sail boat regatta racing in the harbor on large and fast
racing boats. These guys are very serious and think they are in the finals of the America's Cup. Not all that friendly to other vessel traffic.
Now comes the
power boats. Booze cruisers, regular bay cruisers, salesmen doing demos,
fishing vessels, commercial , and privately owned. Add in the large mega yachts of
Newport, mostly with professional skippers. And the
balboa ferry, all three of them crossing the harbor . Short distance.
And, the commercial
charter tour boats, that do their constant newport harbor scenic cruises. Some of these are 100 toners. Oh , forgot, the 100 ton
Catalina bound ferrys departing or returning to or from catalina.
And, also skippers like myself on revenue
motor vessel bay and outside day charters, or heading to or returning from catalina.
Not done....toss in the small out board
power boats, and small
outboard rental boats, and the
electric boats, and the
wind surfers, oared Italian gondolas. etc.
And, we sail, and we are not looking at any eletronic anything or talking on the VHF, we go by collision bearings, thinking and planning ahead, rules of the road, and verbally exchanging what we are going to do with any conflicting vessel. These passes can be within a few feet or yards. And it is no big deal.
This is standard , for the summer, especially on summer weekends, but also during the week as well.
You have to have situational awareness all 360 degrees, not just on the bow.
I also plan ahead, since due to
wind direction, we have to tack up the harbor to our slips at the very inner end. The distance from our slip to the channel entrance is about 3.2 nm.
We have to be aware of what traffic is overtaking as well, and not wait until the last minute to tack, and not be aware of several other vessels proceeding the same direction that will trap us against the boats in the slips. Gage their speed, and what their positions will be, and tack early and not get trapped and in irons , and bash into docks, boats or pilings.
Forgot, add in all types of vessels entering , leaving or standing off the gas docks. And the
mooring fields constraining the
boat traffice to just yards.
Now all of this is from memory , so I may have missed a few.
Wondering, if there is a section in the book for crowded , fairly narrow harbors, with all of the above situations .
We trained our members, they are sailing the 30 foot
training vessels starting with their basic lessons on how to manage all of that undersail, We also advised them on how to mange all the traffic under power as well.
1. Constant 360 degree watch. Enlist the help of the crew, and add a bow watch, and a stern watch. But, the
skipper also has to program in his mind a situational awareness for 360 degrees around his vessel. Always be thinking ahead, and what if.........I also look into the eyes of the helmsman of other vessels, does he even see our vessel
2. Rules of the road, sail to power, sail to sail, power to power. And maintain 100% alertness.
3. If necessary, make an early and ample change of course so the other
skipper can see what your plan is. approaching dead on or nearly dead on, I will make a definite and ample turn, and then come back to a course that will take me clear of him. Most always it is a turn to starboard. Rules are to stay on your starboard side of a channel .Not everyone knows that, or follows that rule. So, we get those folks coming bow on , looking at the high end homes, and docked boats.
4. Don't be bashful about voicing your intentions. Just put "SKIPPER " , in front of what your have to say. keep in short and simple. Wake em up !
We have found, that many skippers of boats, sail and power, do not know the rules of the road, are not paying attention, an so the burden of avoiding collision falls on you.
5. Think ahead, plan ahead, and be ready for anything that may get thrown at you.
6. Have your crew, be ready to tack, or jibe, trim
sails, and maneuver without delay.
7. Or , once in the harbor,
motor your vessel the 3.2 miles to the club docks. Set a bow watch, and if enough people, a stern watch as well.
8. Make a good
docking, Secure the vessel properly, and have a
rum.
After all that, and recalling a normal day in Newport Harbor, I think it is time to splice the main brace .
To ya, lads and lasses.