Col Regs

[ashanta]

I am sure this is a subject well and truly aired in the past but I would appreciate your comments.

Some time ago I read in the PBO about a yacht that sailed through a fleet of dingies which were racing in Torbay and I to agreed at the time that the yacht could have avoided what was clearly a race.

I moor in the river Exe. I have deep keel 5' 6" and for those who dont know the Exe, it is a river with many sand banks which change regularly. I have kept my boat there for the past 11 years. The river is now being used more and more by dingy sailers and water skiers which is great that more and more people are getting out on to the water.

What my annoyance is that yesterday morning I am following the marked channel on my way to my moorings. It is high tide and I can only get to my mooring 3 hours either side of HW due the banks. I dare not move out of the channel in case of grounding as a considerable stream can run in the Exe. In other words I choose my time of entry or departure very carefully.

I was amazed to see a fleet of dingies totally taking up the whole width of the channel without any consideration for me and another yacht that was behind me. I did not want to move out of the channel in which I was following. I slowed right down but kept my line as these dingies went flying by. I saw their safetey boat and beckoned them. I explained that I was a vessel using the marked channel as I am constricted by my drought only to be told that I was a Motor boat and that I should move out of the channel and let the dingies have the water. They were arrogant and rude and I suggested that they looked more closely at the Col Regs. There not interested in anyone other than themselves. Any one else is irrelevent. I am a member of well established club. I am Yacht master and I pay Lord Courtney ground rent for my mooring to whom I have to prove my insurance is valid each year. I am, I consider a responsible person.

Regards.

Peter.


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[Close hauled]

Why not have a chat to the Commodore of the local SC or Sailing Secretary and point out the problem? Just a bit of understanding of the plight of the poor yotties is needed. I've been on botth sides of this fence and its easy to let the red mist come down.

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[johnsomerhausen]

Since, according to the Colregs, your "vessel" whilst motoring is restricted by her draft" in that narrow channel, the first thing you should do is hoist a black cylinder in your rigging to denote the fact (enter in your log that you've hoisted it at xx.xx hour GMT; your insurance will like that...). Also have your horn (prefereably gas powered) ready to sound 5 short blasts if needed. And, after speaking to that Commodre/Sailing secretary, confirm the chat by a letter. You have then put the burden of complying with the Colregs on these dinghies. Maybe I sound legalistic, but I live in the US where litigiousness is a disease worse than AIDS....
john

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[hlb]

Living in England and especially Lancashire. I give plenty of loud blasts on the horn and just carry on in these circumstances. Taking as much care as I can, but firmly take control.

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>No one can force me to come here.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn

 

[duncan]

the dingy still has col regs rights over the vessel constrained by her draft. However the dingy should take note of your limitation and cannot expect you to take any avoiding action other than in relation to speed.
Normally as a power baot we are in a no win here - if we try to dance through the fleet at 4-5 knots in light winds we can get people shouting about stealing wind and all sorts; if we get it over with at 10 knots (where we can steer as well!) they complain about the wake. In Poole the radio calls to Harbour control from race control are a major amusement - they just can't make their minds up what to complan about - always start the complaint - and get realy shirty when it is suggested that they have their start line accross the channel etc!
Oh to be able to sail straight through on starboard and only have to look ahead!

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[oilyrag]

In my experience of dinghy racing, which admittedly was a few years ago now, no dinghy helm ever expected a larger yacht or mobo to 'give way' especially in a narrow channel. You are another potential tactical advantage but never a target.
Don't worry about it - Nowadays I worry more about the yotties who don't actually appear to know port from starboard or even that you are supposed to keep to the right of narrow channels!
I used to get annoyed at yachts motoring down the 'wrong' side of a channel and then glaring at you for refusing to pass port to port and putting yourself aground.
I go sailing to get away from road rage and suchlike so now just ignore it and carry on enjoying my day.



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[Sybarite]

Many years ago I crewed for somebody who knew a lot about sailing. We were on port and a starboard boat appeared. Before they had a chance, he yelled "Port : Rule 23 paragraph 4 ! ".

They immediately tacked.

In awe at his knowledge I asked him what Rule 23 para 4 was all about.

"I haven't the faintest notion" he replied.

John

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[LadyInBed]

“you are supposed to keep to the right of narrow channels!”
Yachts tend to motor down the centre of narrow channels, to stop their keels bumping on the side of the channel.

 

[l'escargot]

and when two yachts "motor down the centre of narrow channels" in opposite directions, each must still keep to the right when they meet.

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[LadyInBed]

But the bigger one is a bit less far to the right than the smaller one/forums/images/icons/wink.gif/forums/images/icons/crazy.gif

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[ecudc]

Ahhhh the favoured tactic of our university sailing team for totally confusing less experienced crews and making them do turns. Suggest mobo in channel does the same for great fun. To be honest though from dinghy racing days we would never expect a yacht in these circumstances to give way, keeping a good look out for any sitting ducks, maintaining your course and making steady progress is the way to go.

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[Cornishman]

Rule 9 clearly states that sailing vessels and vessels of less than 20m must not impede vessels which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel. Note to the Rule in the Sailtrain website suggests that this is one case where the power giving way to sail rule does not apply.

I am familiar with the Exe entrance channel and agree with you that it is a narrow channel within the meaning of the Rule.

Make yourself absolutely conversant with Rule 9 and then contact the organisatoion which runs racing within a narrow channel. Most channels marked with lateral buoys are regarded as 'narrow channels'.


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