rearview mirror...

[Be Free]

Ray,
The link I provided is to a PDF version of the COLREGS. If you have a printer you can print it yourself.
Bill

[Be Free]

I was thinking more in terms of Boat B coming downstream and, for whatever reason, not where he's supposed to be (maybe he's accidentally put it in gear and gunned it out of his slip). It doesn't matter because Boat A has no time to assess what Boat B is doing or what it should be doing or even where it's going next . All he knows is that, if he doesn't veer into the oncoming traffic, he's going to collide.

If Boat A is going upstream and Boat B is going downstream then we are in Scenario 3.

That is actually the quickest and easiest one. There is no requirement for either vessel to maintain course and speed to allow the give-way vessel to resolve the situation. Both vessels are supposed to alter course to starboard as soon as the situation is deemed to exist. If moving to starboard is impossible then moving to port, stopping, or reversing are all allowable actions. Moving to port is discouraged and is seldom the best choice.

The actual, textbook solution is for Boat A to slow, stop, or reverse while sounding five short blasts and for Boat B to turn to starboard.

I don't want to get picky, but if Boat A literally has "no time to asses what Boat B is doing or what should be doing or even where it's going next" then there is going to be a collision. I've been piloting a variety of 16ft + motorized boats for well over fifty years. I've never been in a situation even vaguely similar to what you are describing. I've seen a lot of erratic and incorrect behavior on the water but I've never had to react hurriedly to another vessel. The only time I've had to make quick course corrections involved marine animals (a large sea turtle comes immediately to mind) surfacing in front of me.

Your suggested solution to "veer into oncoming traffic" does not really sound like a solution. If you do that aren't you just changing which vessel you are on a collision course with?

If we take a slightly modified scenario where

• Boat B appears suddenly on a head-on collision course

• You cannot move to starboard

• You do have time to do something

then the preferred action for Boat A would be to stop or reverse. This will minimize the closing speed of the vessels and decrease the force of the collision if it is, in fact, inevitable. It also gives Boat B a little more time to wake up and realize it is in trouble and maybe do something about it. If Boat B does nothing then you probably have a collision at a lower closing speed. If Boat B does the right thing everybody goes home without any scratches.

If there is no other oncoming traffic and if you can cut hard to port and go really fast and actually get out of the way I will very reluctantly concede that could be a valid solution to the problem. The danger is that Boat B might (should) also recognize that it is on a collision course with Boat A and react properly by turning to starboard. This will allow Boat B to resolve the problem unless Boat A has simultaneously turned to port.

[NiceAft]

Ray,
The link I provided is to a PDF version of the COLREGS. If you have a printer you can print it yourself.
Bill

Thanks, I realized that, but I’d rather not print out over two hundred pages.

[DaveC426913]

That is actually the quickest and easiest one. There is no requirement for either vessel to maintain course and speed to allow the give-way vessel to resolve the situation. Both vessels are supposed to alter course to starboard as soon as the situation is deemed to exist. If moving to starboard is impossible then moving to port, stopping, or reversing are all allowable actions. Moving to port is discouraged and is seldom the best choice.

The actual, textbook solution is for Boat A to slow, stop, or reverse while sounding five short blasts and for Boat B to turn to starboard.

The pilot has about two seconds to act if he's going to avoid a collision. He can't be assessing which COLREG is the preferred one. The priority is to avoid a collision. Sure, his actinos eill liely be some combination of steering and powering down but he shouldn't be thinking about colregs and rights-of-way and channels; he should be thinking about closing speeds and escape routes.

TI don't want to get picky, but if Boat A literally has "no time to asses what Boat B is doing or what should be doing or even where it's going next" then there is going to be a collision.

What? Not true.

Again you seem to be suggesting this kind of scenario simply does not happen. Yet we know it does.


Boat B can (and had better) take any action necessary to minimize likelihood of a collision.

The obligation to avoid a real and imminent danger overrides the obligation to avoid a potential, as yet unseen danger. Which means break whatever rules you need to if it will avoid a collision.

I've been piloting a variety of 16ft + motorized boats for well over fifty years. I've never been in a situation even vaguely similar to what you are describing.

Then you're lucky.

Are you suggesting that, by your experience, it therefore doesn't happen? I think that logic is flawed.

Your suggested solution to "veer into oncoming traffic" does not really sound like a solution. If you do that aren't you just changing which vessel you are on a collision course with?

1. I didn't suggest there was in fact, traffic there to veer into, but even if there is...
2. Boat B had to choose disrupting traffic (inconvenient but not disastrous) over an actual collision

then the preferred action for Boat A would be to stop or reverse.

Sure, and that would be great if it's a viable option. But you're still missing the point:

1. What if stopping or reversing isn't going to cut it (on a 20,000lb boat)? What if veering away is the best course? It just happens to be into the oncoming lane?

2. "I saw the situation, and chose the 'preferred action' and we still collided. Therefore it's not my fault."
Nope. Not a valid defense.

[DaveC426913]

And anyone who can't or won't take ultimate responsibility for their actions - who says "I was following the rules!" as their defense - has no business operating a vehicle.

I hope that I've not given you the impression that I subscribe to the attitude above.

No no no. Of course not.

Apologies if I appear to be coming across too strong. We're just talkin' here.