Colregs - boat length definition?

[Seagreen]

OK I aught to know this but my memory is pants at the moment.
Under the Colregs, how is a vessel's length defined? Length on deck or length overall, inc spars ( bowsprits and bumkins, etc.) in normal usage?

 

[VicS]

Part A Rule 3 (j) Length and breadth mean overall length and greatest breadth.

 

[oldharry]

You are thinking of survey measurements such as those used for Part 1 Registration where the measurement is taken from the forward face of the rudder stock, and gives the hulls theoretical loading capacity.

Colregs take the Length Overall, as do Harbour masters (so they can charge for more metres of length!)

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
You are thinking of survey measurements such as those used for Part 1 Registration

[/ QUOTE ] No that is Part A GENERAL; RULE 3 General definitions; paragraph (j) of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.

 

[Seagreen]

Yes, I was afraid of that. Means I'm 15' longer than I thought I was. I looked it up just after the post, but I'm still unsure about movable spars. I've a long running bowsprit... better take this to the classic boat forum. Thanks.

 

[Guest]

I've always assumed .... as a surveyor and in Marine Biz ... that Colregs would take marine standard of LOA as defined between perps of Bow and Rudder stock. Otherwise it's becomes a minfield of arguments as to what is real. In your case - I assume your "running bowsprit" to be a retractable one - would make interesting case if an incident occurred and LOA was needed !
I haven't seen anything that I can recall that alters my assumption. The only one that comes to mind that may alter that is the sheet given with SSR that shows how to measure LOA for SSR reg'n.

 

[ThereAndBack]

[ QUOTE ]
Means I'm 15' longer than I thought I was.

[/ QUOTE ]

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