peterb
New member
March Yachting Monthly has (as usual) "A Question of Seamanship". This one concerns a boat coming home in fog, and finding a radar target on a collision course on the starboard bow. The question posed is whether the boat should turn to port or starboard to avoid collision.
In part the answer given reads:
"The International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea (IRPCS) apply to vessels in sight of one another and if they were in sight it would be clear that Jim's best manoeuvre would be a turn of about 30 degrees to starboard."
It goes on to explain that this would be the safest manoeuvre even in fog.
My concern is not with the answer given, but with what is not said. The answer suggests that IRPCS don't apply in fog. In fact, IRPCS has a Rule applying exactly to the case given, but this Rule isn't mentioned in the answer. Rule 19(d) says:
"A vessel which detects by radar alone the presence of another vessel shall determine if a close-quarters situation is developing and/or risk of collision exists. If so, she shall take avoiding action in ample time, providing that when such action consists of an alteration of course, so far as possible the followiong shall be avoided:
(i) an alteration of course to port for a vessel forward of the beam, other than for a vessel being overtaken;
(ii) an alteration of course towards a vessel abeam or abaft the beam."
Rule 19(d) appears to be the only Rule giving specific instructions on how to manoeuvre when using radar; it seems to me to be very clear. Yet it seems to be little known among small boat sailors. Should it be more publicised?
Oh, yes, on a very pedantic point (but one that YM should be aware of); IRPCS is not "Rules for the Prevention of..", it's "Rules for Preventing ....".
In part the answer given reads:
"The International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea (IRPCS) apply to vessels in sight of one another and if they were in sight it would be clear that Jim's best manoeuvre would be a turn of about 30 degrees to starboard."
It goes on to explain that this would be the safest manoeuvre even in fog.
My concern is not with the answer given, but with what is not said. The answer suggests that IRPCS don't apply in fog. In fact, IRPCS has a Rule applying exactly to the case given, but this Rule isn't mentioned in the answer. Rule 19(d) says:
"A vessel which detects by radar alone the presence of another vessel shall determine if a close-quarters situation is developing and/or risk of collision exists. If so, she shall take avoiding action in ample time, providing that when such action consists of an alteration of course, so far as possible the followiong shall be avoided:
(i) an alteration of course to port for a vessel forward of the beam, other than for a vessel being overtaken;
(ii) an alteration of course towards a vessel abeam or abaft the beam."
Rule 19(d) appears to be the only Rule giving specific instructions on how to manoeuvre when using radar; it seems to me to be very clear. Yet it seems to be little known among small boat sailors. Should it be more publicised?
Oh, yes, on a very pedantic point (but one that YM should be aware of); IRPCS is not "Rules for the Prevention of..", it's "Rules for Preventing ....".
