Becalmed = Not under command?

[Poignard]

Rule 3
6.
The term "vessel not under command" means a vessel which through some exceptional circumstance is unable to manouvre as required by these Rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel.

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If you are becalmed and have no means of propulsion other than sails, should you show 'not-under-command' lights/shapes to comply with the Colregs? Does being becalmed count as an 'exceptional circumstance'?

 

[Leonidas]

Short answer is NO. Being becalmed is neither an exceptional nor an unforseeable circumstance.

 

[Ubergeekian]

Short answer is NO. Being becalmed is neither an exceptional nor an unforseeable circumstance.

Perhaps "restricted in ability to manoevre" would be more apprpriate?

 

[blackdogsailing]

Perhaps "restricted in ability to manoevre" would be more apprpriate?

This is quite interesting ( especially as it's Sunday night, I'm not on the boat and bored ! ). The MCA requirements for my yacht require me to have the day and night signals for NUC but not Restricted in ability to manoeuvre.
Technically, if you are becalmed with no engine then you are probably both !

Chris

 

[Severnman]

Nope. 'Restricted in her ability to manoeuvre' means a vessel which from the nature of her WORK is restricted etc etc. Rule 3g would have included such circumstance (unless sailing vessel is becalmed whilst dredging, launching aircraft etc!!)

 

[Ubergeekian]

Nope. 'Restricted in her ability to manoeuvre' means a vessel which from the nature of her WORK is restricted etc etc. Rule 3g would have included such circumstance (unless sailing vessel is becalmed whilst dredging, launching aircraft etc!!)

Ah. Good point. Having had a quick gander at the rules to refresh my memory, there really doesn;t seem to be anything to cover becalmed sailing boats - or any other things which are just floating around, like barges adrift. Since they cannot alter what course they have, perhaps they just don't come under IRPCS at all?

 

[blackdogsailing]

Nope. 'Restricted in her ability to manoeuvre' means a vessel which from the nature of her WORK is restricted etc etc. Rule 3g would have included such circumstance (unless sailing vessel is becalmed whilst dredging, launching aircraft etc!!)

You are of course quite right ( case of engaging fingers on keyboard before engaging brain )

I wonder what would happen if an engineless yacht, becalmed in a shipping channel displayed the NUC dayshape in front of a 200,000 tonne supertanker. No, I am not going to try it !!

 

[EdWingfield]

This situation is similar to lying to a paravane anchor. There's no Colreg.

 

[Manuel]

Rule 3
6.
The term "vessel not under command" means a vessel which through some exceptional circumstance is unable to manouvre as required by these Rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel.

____________________________________________________

If you are becalmed and have no means of propulsion other than sails, should you show 'not-under-command' lights/shapes to comply with the Colregs? Does being becalmed count as an 'exceptional circumstance'?

Assuming that you have an engine that has failed then that is 'exceptional' and in theory you should or could show the NUC signals. I don't think that anyone would, in a small yacht so it is more academic that practical. Suppose you were crossing a TSS intending to cross with ship's head at right angles to the lane, as required. Light airs, so you motor-sail with sails up and being naughty you don't bother with a cone. Engine fails. You have no alternative now but to do the best you can with what wind you have, and that's what the rules require you to do. Wind fails completely and you are now in the middle of one lane. Do you show NUC? I think I would get the VHF channel for the TSS controller (from the almanac or call the MRCC and ask) and explain the situation. TSS controller might put out a securitee to warn shipping that there is a yacht becalmed in the lane.

 

[ytd]

many years ago a sydney harbour ferry ran down a becalmed racing yacht. It was one of a line of becalmed yachts across the harbour. Sydney ferries have absolute right of way under harbour regs. In the following inquiry the ferry skipper said that because the yacht had it sails up he thought it would be able to get out of the way. By the time he realised it was becalmed it was too late. The court agreed with him and he was exhonerated.