This is a good thing to review:
The 25-foot sailboat crossed in front of the bow of a 550-foot tanker on April 18 while transiting a narrow channel in the vicinity of Stockton. The U.S. Coast Guard cited the operator and fined him for violating 33 Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) 83.09, commonly referred to as
Rule 9.
The top of the
mast was the only visible portion of the sailboat when the tanker was required to take action to avoid
collision. Large
commercial vessels have a blind spot that often extends hundreds of feet in front of their bow,” said Lt. Anna Funk, a Coast Guard Sector
San Francisco Investigating Officer. “These ships are far less maneuverable than small recreational
boats and can take up to a mile and a half to stop, which means they have to take evasive action well in advance if the intentions of nearby vessels are unclear.”
Owners and operators can face maximum civil penalties of $14,910 per incident for violating
navigation rules.
According to
Rule 9 – Inland waters, vessels and powerboats less than 20 meters (or 65 feet), all sailboats and vessels engaged in
fishing shall not impede the
passage of a vessel that can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway. Additionally, a vessel shall not cross a narrow channel or fairway if such crossing impedes the
passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within that channel or fairway. The term “shall not impede” means a small vessel or craft must keep well clear and not hinder or interfere with the transit of larger vessels. All vessels shall avoid
anchoring in a narrow channel, unless doing so is in the immediate interest of
navigation safety.
Marine Safety and
Security Information Bulletin (MSIB) 14-07 shows a list of “narrow channels or fairways” in
San Francisco Bay and approaches for the application of the Inland and International Rules of the Road.
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