Keeping a Proper Lookout -- A Cautionary Tale

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by Jon Eisberg

Despite having done a fair bit of singlehanding over the years, I never had any idea it could be so damn COMPLICATED...

;-))

Jon,

It was the hot chick comment that did that.

[BigBoater917]

The autonomous vessel is a different can of worms. We had a discussion about if one was required to follow the colregs since it couldn't keep a lookout.

Collision avoidance for sailing robot

[K_V_B]

Originally Posted by BigBoater917

The autonomous vessel is a different can of worms. We had a discussion about if one was required to follow the colregs since it couldn't keep a lookout.

Collision avoidance for sailing robot

One of the things I'm wondering about: does rule 5 require that it is a human that keeps the lookout?



Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[K_V_B]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

Showing NUC because of necessity to sleep, or showing an anchor ball or anchor light, is against the letter of the Rules, but I can't imagine anyone would even say a single word against it, as what you are doing is a good faith attempt to increase safety. Rule 2 even allows departures from the other Rules in such cases.

I wonder however what the point of going NUC when needing to sleep is. You are still relying on the other boat seeing you, so could as well keep going under autopilot.

I just wonder if rule 5 shouldn't be replaced with a requirement to exercise sufficient diligence. We might soon reach the point where machines do a far better job at keeping a lookout, even on manned ships.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by K_V_B

I wonder however what the point of going NUC when needing to sleep is. You are still relying on the other boat seeing you, so could as well keep going under autopilot.

Not indeed -- if you are not showing signals, other vessels have the right to assume that you are keeping watch and are ready to maneuver as you are required. Whether making way or not. This is seriously misleading if you are actually below and asleep.

If you are hove to and showing NUC, on the other hand, you have properly warned everyone that you will not maneuver -- you are just a passive obstacle. Furthermore, by being hove to, you are minimizing the risk to others and minimizing the difficulty of maneuvering around you.

Big difference.

[conachair]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

Not indeed -- if you are not showing signals, other vessels have the right to assume that you are keeping watch and are ready to maneuver as you are required. Whether making way or not. This is seriously misleading if you are actually below and asleep.

If you are hove to and showing NUC, on the other hand, you have properly warned everyone that you will not maneuver -- you are just a passive obstacle. Furthermore, by being hove to, you are minimizing the risk to others and minimizing the difficulty of maneuvering around you.

Big difference.

Dodgy as hell, IMHO. Assuming anyone else knows you exist is a big no-no of single handing, again IMHO. Great to put energy into that, by having a solid radar return & ais transmitter but thinking it will actually happen should be much much further down the list compared with active measures to keep yourself safe , like radar with guard zones & ais receiver with a loud alarm.
Hoving to for sleep just keeps you out there much longer than you need to be. IMHO as a solo sailor it's your call to be out there asleep and down to you to do all you can to make sure no one hits you & you hit no one, radar & ais can take care of that to a very large extent, put your energy into having a boat with systems which can provide that cover & forget about NUC lights.
Trust no one.
I say

[Pelagic]

Conachair..what you suggest is not mutually exclusive to showing NUC, which is just an added level of telling other vessels you are a passive obstacle in their way.
Hoving to for 3 hrs solid sleep. is the responsible way to avoid running into other passive objects and keeping the solo sailor more alert to potential dangers.

[DumnMad]

Originally Posted by Pelagic

Conachair..what you suggest is not mutually exclusive to showing NUC, which is just an added level of telling other vessels you are a passive obstacle in their way.
Hoving to for 3 hrs solid sleep. is the responsible way to avoid running into other passive objects and keeping the solo sailor more alert to potential dangers.

Especially if the sleep is mid-ocean remote from other vessels but you will soon be sailing into traffic lanes.