Col Regs and their Various Interpretations.

[john_morris_uk]

Does anyone else agree that some considered arguments (rants) on Col Regs seem to be because different people have different comfort zones when out boating? I am not suggesting one should get into close quarters with shipping, but some people seem to be comfortable getting close to other yachts/boats than others.

For instance, I have done a bit of racing in the past where too close is more or less when you actually hit the other yacht.... Passing a metre or so from the stern of a yacht that you have dipped to give way to is common place. Personally I wouldn't get anywhere near so close when cruising, but from the comments of others it appears that different people have different ideas about what is too close.

For me, it will all depend on the circumstances, and how fast people are going. It appears that some people get quite upset when another boat is within a few boat lengths. How on earth you know who you need to keep more clear of is another matter...

 

[Talbot]

The bigger the boat you learn in, the larger the comfort zone requirement.

I guess if you learnt in a dinghy, then 6" is a large distance, whereas if you come from a big ship background you start to panic at about a mile. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[LadyInBed]

With other sailing boats, anything less than a boats length starts to impinge on my comfort zone.

 

[powerskipper]

In open water I would think a boats length is too close, In a confined space a foot is close enough.

 

[Talbot]

yep agree with that - providing you are talking a minimum of my boat length rather than less for smaller boats.

 

[Lizzie_B]

For me a much bigger comfort factor is that the other boat makes it obvious to me what he is going to do as early as possible. E.g. make a big initial alteration of course to show me he intends to pass astern and then gradually alter course so that he eventually passes close astern- how close depends on conditions- is fine by me.

 

[Stemar]

A lot depends who I'm close to /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

In general for ships and other sailing boats, to go astern or parallel, round about the length of the larger vessel. If it's a big b*gger bearing down on me, quite a bit more - preferably a couple of miles in the Solent, 5-6 miles offshore. Stinkies - around 20 times their length if they're doing more than about 5 knots.

 

[KRG]

weekends in Chichester can get very close at times with dinghy racing and all other sorts, it doesn't worry me but it is less relaxing. I like a good margin for error/surprise if I can get it.

 

[john_morris_uk]

5-6 miles offshore. Not sure I'd get through the shipping lanes limiting my Closest Point of Approach (CPA) to that sometimes.

I agree that making ones intentions clear is important - as mentioned in IRPCS themselves!

 

[StugeronSteve]

I think that your "dipping" comment is the key to close quarters comfort. When I am sure that an approaching "give way" vessel has seen me, especially if this is confirmed by a little turn "dip" of the bows in the appropriate direction, I'm more than happy for it to come close. Likewise, when intending to giveway to a "stand on" vessel, especially by the smallest reasonable distance, I do try to establish eye contact with the helmsman and make my intentions known.

 

[cliff]

[ QUOTE ]
I do try to establish eye contact with the helmsman and make my intentions known.

[/ QUOTE ]And when the "helmsman" turns out to be a "helmswoman" I'd give her as wide a berth as possible. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
----------

“Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity”
Skype id:cliffillupo

 

[StugeronSteve]

Have been known to pass even closer behind /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Peppermint]

Re: It depends on so many things.

If I'm punching a tide I'll come closer to you because I don't want to loose any more ground than necessary. If it's gusty I'll give you a wide berth in case we broach into each other.

Shipping in channels needs a wide berth. I'd not want to be within a kilometre of the bow or 200m of the sides of a moving vessel of any size. I wouldn't want to be on the edge of the channel when one goes by either. The displaced water rears up when it gets to the shallows.

Meeting ships at sea I do tend to try and minimize my loss of ground. I'll stand on until I'm sure I'm got to go, make a big alteration, and follow his stern. Very rarely do the colregs come into it.

I will make every effort to ensure that other vessels know I've seen them. I also wave to boats that giveway to me. This seems rarer than it used to be.

 

[Brian_B]

I agree. If you started sailing dinghies you are bound to have collided a few times. A valuable learning experience.

What amazes me is that you can be out in the middle of nowhere, miles of ocean all around and there's three boats on a collision course. I'm sure there's some scientific explanation, like improbability that drives boats together.

 

[powerskipper]

Its called a fibreglass magnet. Built into all and every boat. They seem to be drawn to each other, another magnetic is the bouy magnet, this cause buoy and sometime pontoons to suddenly be drawn to the boat expectedly. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Peppermint]

Re: I\'m told by a

Navy officer I know that actually arranging a collision at sea is quite difficult. Perhaps they try to hard.

 

[john_morris_uk]

Re: I\'m told by a

[ QUOTE ]
Navy officer I know that actually arranging a collision at sea is quite difficult. Perhaps they try to hard.

[/ QUOTE ]

I am sorry but I don't seem to have to right crypto engaged to be able to understand this!

What does it mean?

Do you mean Navy officer try too hard to arrange a collision? Or do you mean they try too hard to avoid one?

 

[Peppermint]

Re: Laying your vessel

along side your enemy still seems to be part of naval training. As does various methods of interception. Apparently solving such problems taxes even the cadets who like hard sums

 

[john_morris_uk]

Re: Laying your vessel

Ah the joy of calculating and plotting intercepts!

I suspect that part of the problem is that not all Naval Officer Cadets joined to be warfare officers...

Now I can refer you to a few submarine CO's who can do it in their head for more than one target...

But this is rather off the point of my original post?

 

[Lakesailor]

Buoys definitely have GRP magnets in them. If I aim to pass a mark, I can guarantee I end up neeeearly biffing it. And if I've not been paying as much attention as I should (like adjusting the backstay or finding the anchor) when I next look about there will be a buoy or racing mark heading straight for me.
Luckily all our marks are soft and plastic, but the rocks they warn of are ...well...rocks.