Category: - Mariner's Guide to Nautical Information

May you ignore a Navigation Rule when operating near other vessels?

11/21/2013

The Rule of Good Seamanship, Rule 2(a) of the Navigation Rules, says there is nothing in the Rules that excuses a mariner from not complying with a navigation rule. So, may a boater ever ignore a Navigation Rule? The answer is a qualified “yes, in a very specific instance.”

Rule 2(b) of the Navigation Rules (aka the General Prudential Rule) says that a vessel may depart from the Rules to avoid a collision only when two conditions are met:

(1) the circumstances must be special and

(2) the danger must be immediate.

The Rules don’t define “special” or “immediate.” Interpretation is complicated and argued by lawyers in marine accident court cases. Read Rule 2(a,b) at www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=navRulesContent, and see the 11/11/13 post.

The Rule of Good Seamanship

11/11/2013

Boaters certainly should pay attention to good seamanship in all aspects of boat operation, but is there an actual rule relating to navigation seamanship? Yes, there is. Rule 2(a) of the Navigation Rules (aka the Rule of Good Seamanship) says that there is nothing in the Navigation Rules that excuses a mariner who does not comply with the Rules, who doesn’t take precautions that a prudent seaman would take under the circumstances, and who does not take into account any special circumstances of a situation which may require special precautions. There are a lot of vague and undefined words in this rule. Seamanship evolves with technology, and the interpretation of good seamanship changes over time. All boaters are expected to know how to use all the functional navigational aids on their vessels; professional mariners are held to an even higher standard of seamanship. Read Rule 2(a) at www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=navRulesContent, and see the next post.

Do you blow your own horn? Part 3 of 3

10/21/2013

Rule 35 of the Navigation Rules prescribes the sound signals for power-driven and sailing vessels in or near an area of restricted visibility, day or night. Visibility can be affected by fog, rain, snow, dust, smog, haze, smoke, sandstorm, blizzard, etc. Note that night by itself is NOT restricted visibility. The sound signals are essentially the same under International and Inland Rules. There are signals for vessels underway and making way, underway but stopped, vessels doing specific operations, vessels anchored, aground, or being towed. Note that “underway” in the Rules means “not at anchor, aground, or made fast to the shore.”

Study Rule 35: the text of the rule is available at www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=navRulesContent. There’s a lot to learn, not only for your boat but for other vessels out there lurking just out of sight. Buy a plastic reference card with the sound signals and lights on it, and keep it near the helm. When you hear a loud whistle signal near you that makes you jump out of your skin, you’d better know what is making the sound and what you should do about it.

Do you blow your own horn? Part 2 of 3

10/8/2013

Power-driven vessel signals. A power driven vessel is defined in Rule 3(b) of the Navigation Rules as “any vessel propelled by machinery.” This includes a sailboat operating the engine with the sails up or a canoe with an electric outboard motor. Rule 34 details the sound signals that shall be used by power-driven vessels maneuvering in sight (visually) of each other.

Rule 35 has the sound signals for vessels in or near restricted visibility, day or night. Learn the signals for your boat and for other vessels so you know what is approaching. There are also special signals for narrow channels, and the rules are slightly different for Inland and International waters.

Learn the sound signals for the waters in which you operate and have ready access to your boat’s horn. Remember, if you hear five short and rapid blasts on a boat’s horn or a ship’s whistle near you – look around! That’s the danger signal. Have a plastic reference card that lists the sound signals near the helm for quick reference. The text of the rules is available at www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=navRulesContent.

Do you blow your own horn? Part 1 of 3

9/24/2013

First, do you have an operative horn that is easily accessible at the helm position(s) on your boat? Powerboats and sailboats are required under the Navigation Rules to sound appropriate whistle signals (ships have “whistles;” the rest of us usually have electric or portable air horns) for maneuvering and warning and in or near areas of restricted visibility. These sound signals are discussed in Navigation Rules 32-36. Even if you are not sounding whistle signals yourself you must know what the signals mean if you hear them. There are a number of signals, and some differ between the Inland and the International Rules. Read Rules 32-36 carefully: the text is available at www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=navRulesContent.

What does "constrained by draft" mean?

3/18/2013

Is a sailboat with a deep keel sailing along a shallow channel considered to be constrained by draft, according to the Navigation Rules? What about a 60ft/18m motor yacht with a fairly deep draft navigating along a shallow channel? What dayshape and lights does a CBD vessel display? See Rule 3(h) and Rule 28 of the International Navigation Rules at www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=navRulesContent
Does a vessel that is constrained by draft have any special privileges regarding right of way with other vessels? See the blog post of 9/18/12.

Why do I need to know the difference between trawling & trolling? I don't fish.

11/18/2012

Because of the Navigation Rules that apply to meeting trawling or trolling vessels. A boat fishing with nets or trawls that restrict maneuverability is a fishing vessel under Navigation Rule 3(c). A boat fishing with trolling lines over the side is not a fishing vessel under the Rules. Fishing vessels have right of way priority over sailing vessels, power-driven vessels, and seaplanes. Look carefully at a boat to see if there are nets or other gear over the stern or side, just coming out of the water or extending into the water. If so, the vessel is trawling. If you see fishing poles with lines in the water, the vessel is trolling for purposes of the Navigation Rules definition (even if actual trolling is not being done). Charter and private boats with fishers aboard sometimes expect to be given the right of way like a fishing vessel because they have 25 people fishing and they’re catching fish like crazy in that spot. They are power-driven vessels, but a considerate sailboat will give them a wide berth, even if the sailboat has right of way.

The text of Rule 3(c) is available at www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=navRulesContent

Is that boat going to hit us?

10/8/2012

Rule 7 of the Navigation Rules says that you “shall use all available means appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions to determine if risk of collision exists.” If there’s any doubt, assume that there IS risk of collision, and take the appropriate action as required under the Navigation Rules. Take systematic collision bearings on the other vessel; if the bearing doesn’t change over time, risk may exist. It’s sometimes difficult to judge the potential for collision when one or both vessels are moving quickly, when you approach a large vessel or a tow, or when you are close to the other vessel. AIS and/or radar can help, but also use your eyes. For the text of Rule 7 see www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=navRulesContent.

The pecking order - right of way priority.

9/18/2012

Rule 18 of the Navigation Rules gives the right of way priority (pecking order) between vessels, when not in conflict with special rules for channels, traffic lanes, or when overtaking. Rule 3 defines the types of vessels. It’s essential to memorize the order. The highest priority goes to an overtaken vessel (all overtaking vessels stay out of the way). In descending order, the others are: Not Under Command, Restricted in Ability to Maneuver, Constrained by Draft, fishing vessel, sailing vessel, power-driven vessel, seaplane (lowest priority). Rule 3 defines the vessels. There is a memory aid in the right of way priority entry, p. 335 in the Mariner’s Guide. The text of the rules is available at www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=navRulesContent.

Conehead - motorsailing thoughts

8/19/2012

A sailboat may have one or more sails up and the engine on at the same time, which makes her a power-driven vessel. Under Rule 25 of the International and Inland Navigation Rules “a vessel proceeding under sail when also being propelled by machinery shall exhibit forward where it can best be seen, a conical shape, apex downwards.” Under the Inland Rules a vessel less than 12m/39.4ft is not required to exhibit the cone, but may display it. The text of rules 25 is available at www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=navRulesContent.

How often do you see a motorsailing vessel displaying a cone? Without the cone, nearby boaters may assume the boat is a sailboat and follow the Rules of the Road for encountering a sailboat. If the motorsailing boat follows power-driven vessel rules, because the skipper knows that the engine is on, this may cause unexpected actions that confuse other boaters. In a close-quarters situation it could be dangerous. Sailboat operators, please buy a cone or drag it out of your locker and use it when motorsailing.