Situations Where COLREGS Could Be More Clear

[thinwater]

Yes, it is all in there somewhere, particularly if you study the interpretations. But there are some that seem to deserve a "rule," or at least I've been told this by beginning sailors. If they asked, that means it's not as clear as it should be.


I'll start with two. Please pile on.


Human powered vessel. Lighting is explained, but not where they fall on the power-sail spectrum. There is a USCG interpretation that says this is managed under the traditions of seaman, but at least this could be codified COLREGS. Practical solution: Treat them like children running after a ball in the street. When I am paddling, behave predictably and avoid channels as much as possible, crossing swiftly at 90 degrees when necessary.



Fast powered vessels vs. slow sail or sail-under-power. In the case of sail vs. power it seems clear, but when does the sailor (stand-on) change course when the vessel is much faster and its course is erratic? Most of these guys zig around too much for you to make an intelligent dodge, and by the time you are sure he is not looking, It's hard to say which way to turn, since it is safe bet he doesn't know COLREGS. Regarding a sailboat under power it is even more woolly. When they are on a steady course--give way or stand-on--they still may hold until unnervingly close and generally within the radius where a safe avoidance by the slower boat is possible. What if you dodge at what you feel was the last moment, exactly into the path they were planning to dodge into? It seems there should be some mention that if a vessel has considerably greater speed, often a multiple, combined with quick maneuverability, they much take this potential unpredictability into account. With a fast freighter the problem is different, because you know his turns will be gradual, taking many minutes, by the laws of physics. Practical solution: Big adjustments early if the course and bearing is steady, and keep a close eye when they're fooling around.

[HeywoodJ]

When a kite surfer is on starboard tack crossing the channel, and I am on port, and he comes off his foil and drops speed by 75%? As the stand-on vessel the kite surfer is obligated to maintain course and speed so that I, as the give way can plan my maneuvers.

At these times the kite surfer is nearly NUC, but since the circumstances are not extraordinary... And I am constrained to operate in the channel, but generally not flying those shapes because my constraint is only with reference to certain fast, erratic vessels...

[requiem]

To me, human powered really does need to be determined by the circumstances. A full-size trireme is going to be a bit different from a kayak. (Now I'm wondering what lights Olympias carries...)

Assuming you are stand-on, you should still have a "line in the sand" marking the point at which you'll dodge. That needs to be early enough that you can still cleanly evade the other boat if they don't dodge.

You've probably heard of the "avoid turning to port" rule for power vessels? I suggest similar for sailing: avoid turning towards the other vessel. Taking their stern seems efficient, but it's an efficient way to the bottom if they decide to do the same.

[thinwater]

Notice that no one suggested slowing down as a maneuver. We're not ships and we slow pretty quickly.

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted by thinwater

Notice that no one suggested slowing down as a maneuver. We're not ships and we slow pretty quickly.

I've done it plenty of times. The bigger challenge in my mind (and one that takes some experience before you reliably answer it correctly) is when things are getting messy in a channel in front of you and you can't continue through it, is it better to stop and hold station or turn around and start doing laps?

I've done both depending on the situation, partly because I don't like trying to hold station with traffic piling up behind and around me (but no problem if traffic is light). Doing laps can come with its own challenges though. If you get enough other boats doing laps, speed can become a problem. Normally I'd do laps at idle, but that's just over 4 kts on this boat (slower in the turns of course). A typical sailboat will be doing laps significantly slower, so depending on just how crowded things are, it can be a bit of a pain (especially if it's windy where doing laps with 1 engine out of gear to reduce speed can become a problem for maneuverability in the wind).

[boatman61]

I have been known to deliberately 'go into irons' to delay my passage so as to pass behind ships as opposed to a chancey bow crossing.. no real hardship and I do it well in advance in the English Channel where one often gets groupings of 3 to 5 ships doing assorted speeds along the lanes in close company.

[siamese]

Those kite boarders.

Where I sail, they tend to congregate near the mouth of the channel that goes from Lake Michigan into Muskegon Lake. Lots of 'em. They move rapidly, change direction a lot, and I can't seem to tell whether they're on a starboard or port tack. I'll probably work that out sooner or later.

They also seem to enjoy getting close to sailboats and showing off a bit.

What I've learned from talking to them, and my stepson is now one of them, they don't really consider themselves to be vessels, and have no knowledge of the COLREGS. As a result, I tend to treat them like deer attempting to cross the highway.

I enjoy seeing them out there, though. Much better they should be doing that than cavorting about on PWC's.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by rslifkin

I've done it plenty of times. The bigger challenge in my mind (and one that takes some experience before you reliably answer it correctly) is when things are getting messy in a channel in front of you and you can't continue through it, is it better to stop and hold station or turn around and start doing laps?

I've done both depending on the situation, partly because I don't like trying to hold station with traffic piling up behind and around me (but no problem if traffic is light). Doing laps can come with its own challenges though. If you get enough other boats doing laps, speed can become a problem. Normally I'd do laps at idle, but that's just over 4 kts on this boat (slower in the turns of course). A typical sailboat will be doing laps significantly slower, so depending on just how crowded things are, it can be a bit of a pain (especially if it's windy where doing laps with 1 engine out of gear to reduce speed can become a problem for maneuverability in the wind).

This is an example of boat-specific handling. With a steerable outboard or twin engines station keeping without moving is usually quite practical, with practice. I've waited in a canal for an hour without doing laps. Just around idle and occasional right-left adjustments.


The right answer often depends on the characteristics of the boats.

[deblen]

Rule 2a You are always responsible for avoiding collision
2b Even if the other vessel is not following the rules,perhaps because of malfunction of it's machinery or it's operator.


Rule 3a "vessel"-anything that carries a person on water


Rule 6a Adjust your speed & or course to fit "conditions".(I believe an "erratically operated" approaching vessel is a "condition"


Rule 7 i & ii-assess the Risk of collision early


Rule 8 a-d Take any safe action necessary to avoid collision including
8 e Stop or Reverse early if needed to avoid Risk of collision


At this point, the "pecking order" becomes secondary to avoiding collision.



Cheers/Len

[deblen]

The COLREGS are intended to help the persons using them-not to penalize you.
Can you imagine driving on land without an agreed set of road rules??


No amount of unenforced regulation will eliminate ignorant,impaired,stupid or @$#&% people. Drive defensively


Len

[Jammer]

Agree with trouble areas listed upthread:
1) Rowboats, canoes, kayaks, kitesurfers. The situation with these has become untenable in some commercial harbors where it is being handled outside the COLREGs framework i.e. by specifying exclusion areas, disallowing rentals, requiring guides, etc.
2) Vast difference in speed making it impossible for the slower vessel to give way


Also:

3) Exactly what constitutes a narrow channel or fairway. As posted in other threads the SF Bay Port Captain apparently believes the entire bay is a narrow channel, which requires a good deal of imagination
4) Responsibility for wake or prop wash
5) Exactly what constitutes being engaged in fishing
6) Responsibilities of a boat that is deliberately drifting without a means of propulsion (not uncommon while fishing)

[requiem]

Originally Posted by Jammer

3) Exactly what constitutes a narrow channel or fairway. As posted in other threads the SF Bay Port Captain apparently believes the entire bay is a narrow channel, which requires a good deal of imagination

To be fair, I believe it's just the parts spelled out in the MSIB: various traffic lanes, precautionary areas, etc.

And, as you've probably seen me comment before, I feel the concept maps well to kayakers, kiteboarders, etc: they should keep clear in cases where other vessels are constrained, whether it's a freighter in the deep water channel or a cabin cruiser in a marina fairway. This is almost, dare I say, common sense.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by requiem

... This is almost, dare I say, common sense.

Yes, after you have sailed for a while. But what can we share with beginners?


Also, a large portion of COLREGS is dedicated to making sure we all understand "common sense" to mean the same thing, so our behaviors are predictable.

---

Fishing. term vessel engaged in fishing means any vessel fishing with nets, lines, trawls, or other fishing apparatus which restricts maneuverability, but does not include a vessel fishing with trolling lines or other fishing apparatus which do not restrict maneuverability.


Drifting. This is underway, unless the vessel is NUC due a serious mechanical failure. Could be RAM if hanging to a sea anchor or pulling a drogue in a storm. But no recreational boat has these shapes or lights. Having your engine off or sleeping does not make you RAM or NUC.

[requiem]

Originally Posted by thinwater

Yes, after you have sailed for a while. But what can we share with beginners?

Hmm... good question... I'd probably say something about how, uh, small vessels should avoid getting in the way of larger ones when the larger one is following some sort of channel or fairway. If only there was a specific rule about that sort of thing.

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by thinwater

Fishing. term vessel engaged in fishing means any vessel fishing with nets, lines, trawls, or other fishing apparatus which restricts maneuverability, but does not include a vessel fishing with trolling lines or other fishing apparatus which do not restrict maneuverability.

Right, so you and I know that. It comes off as unclear though because anyone who fishes with trolling lines will tell you that they restrict maneuverability. You can't go to WOT and get on plane and turn hard to port because you'll snag your port line in the prop, for example. Not without reeling up first. I think the way it's defined is at odds with common sense.

Drifting. This is underway, unless the vessel is NUC due a serious mechanical failure. Could be RAM if hanging to a sea anchor or pulling a drogue in a storm. But no recreational boat has these shapes or lights. Having your engine off or sleeping does not make you RAM or NUC.

Again, it's unclear to most readers. COLREGs nerds know that if you're hove to or fishing with the engine off, drifting with the wind, by the letter of the rules you're supposed to fire up the engine and get out of the way when you're the stand-on vessel. But that isn't the ordinary practice of seamen. (If you are adrift with one oar in the water, does that make you a rowboat?)


Thought question: Consider a sailboat adrift with bare poles. Is it on starboard tack or port tack?