Colregs don't apply to the elite?

skyflyer

skyflyer

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So there I was sailing on port tack in Start Bay, yesterday, to leeward of a motorsailing very new 45ft eff-off yacht, also on port tack.

It becomes evident we are in constant bearing and a collision will ensue

Naively I thought that because he was motoring and to windward I was thus the stand on vessel

Probably a bit later than I should, I rounded up to pass behind him and got a cheery wave as he went past - which wasn't returned!

This had to be £200k of boat - I know it's been said before but it shouldn't be allowed

So to the owner of F****y G**l based in E***** if you're reading this, stop and get your head into colregs instead

Grrr
 
skyflyer said:
So there I was sailing on port tack in Start Bay, yesterday, to leeward of a motorsailing very new 45ft eff-off yacht, also on port tack.

It becomes evident we are in constant bearing and a collision will ensue

Naively I thought that because he was motoring and to windward I was thus the stand on vessel

Probably a bit later than I should, I rounded up to pass behind him and got a cheery wave as he went past - which wasn't returned!

This had to be £200k of boat - I know it's been said before but it shouldn't be allowed

So to the owner of F****y G**l based in E***** if you're reading this, stop and get your head into colregs instead

Grrr
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You could use sound signals. Five blasts would have bought you to his attention
I find it works. Also ensures my fog horn is ready for fog.
 
Had a few this season. About par.

To be honest, I have to have a green and red sticker on the boom as a reminder.

Most seem to be where the skipper has some poor soul on the wheel whilst doing something else.

I call it the "Stare " . Easily recognizable as they only look forwards and never sideways.

The final solution for genuine dastardly bounders is the best reason for owning a Porta Potti . Unseasoned contents in
cockpit . Best done when they have gone home on a Sunday night .:cool:
 
On the other hand I was motoring down the Blackwater today and had to make a small course alteration to avoid a Thames Barge as it tacked up the river. As she passed I got a cheery, "Thanks!" and a wave.
 
prv said:
Sounds more like cheerfully clueless numpty than toffee-nosed elite.

Chip on shoulder much? :)

Pete
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Fair point well taken! It's not the "social status" that is relevant, just that someone can shell out that much money and not worry about the need for some safety knowledge to operate it!
Even many non sailors know "power gives way to sail"!
 
How is the size, age and value of the boat of any relevance? There are just as many examples of poor seamanship and lack of knowledge shown by drivers of small, old, low-value boats.
 
I was motorsailing this afternoon and coming up close behind a 40ft monohull also motorsailing. We had been closing for around an hour on parallel courses about two boat lengths apart.

The autopilot was set on my arrival waypoint and they were also holding a steady course so I just left things as they were. The other boat disappeared behind the front of my genoa so I knew in a few seconds she would appear from behind the genoa. But she didn't. I stepped away from the wheel and peered under the genoa to see that she had turned 45 degrees to starboard right in front of me. I was just about to dive back to the wheel and swing to starboard as well when the lady on the monohull wheel turned around and looked in horror. She then rapidly swung the wheel over to port 90 degrees and shot off in a completely different direction.

No big deal really and I would have given way but I wondered whether the shock of suddenly seeing me about a boat length behind made her re-plan their destination?

Richard
 
skyflyer said:
..... Probably a bit later than I should, I rounded up.....
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The correct way to proceed at sea is to keep away from other vessels. Standing on because you think you are right is one way to travel, the other is to take your time, alter course, and avoid conflict.
The Colregs are useful for insurance claims and racing protests but, if you reach the point where you have to quote them then someone has made a mistake.
Most of us are not navigating great ships but small boats.
Why did you feel the need to mention the size and value of the boat you were complaining about?
 
OP,,, If an action like this winds you up to such rage, for your healths sake don't come sailing in the busy parts of the Eastern Med.
 
AuntyRinum said:
The correct way to proceed at sea is to keep away from other vessels. Standing on because you think you are right is one way to travel, the other is to take your time, alter course, and avoid conflict.
The Colregs are useful for insurance claims and racing protests but, if you reach the point where you have to quote them then someone has made a mistake.
Most of us are not navigating great ships but small boats.
Why did you feel the need to mention the size and value of the boat you were complaining about?
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It's a bit like having to stop your car when somebody pulls out in front of you, it happens regularly enough, mistakes are made.
 
AuntyRinum said:
The correct way to proceed at sea is to keep away from other vessels. Standing on because you think you are right is one way to travel, the other is to take your time, alter course, and avoid conflict.
The Colregs are useful for insurance claims and racing protests but, if you reach the point where you have to quote them then someone has made a mistake.
Most of us are not navigating great ships but small boats.
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The correct way to proceed at sea is in accordance with the colregs. That way everybody (who knows colregs) knows what to expect from you. Those who don't know or don't apply colregs make life a damned site more confusing for those who do.

As to your assertion that colregs are useful for racing protests they, generally, have no relevance. There are entirely separate racing rules under which protests are judged.
 
Twister_Ken said:
The correct way to proceed at sea is in accordance with the colregs. That way everybody (who knows colregs) knows what to expect from you. Those who don't know or don't apply colregs make life a damned site more confusing for those who do.
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+ 1
 
Twister_Ken said:
The correct way to proceed at sea is in accordance with the colregs. That way everybody (who knows colregs) knows what to expect from you. Those who don't know or don't apply colregs make life a damned site more confusing for those who do.

As to your assertion that colregs are useful for racing protests they, generally, have no relevance. There are entirely separate racing rules under which protests are judged.
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Agreed, except that when a boat which is racing meets a vessel which is not then the COLREGS apply. I was once involved in a protest based on another boats failure to comply with that rule.
 
A a spot of Buddhist meditation may be in order for OP if meeting another boat in the middle of Start Bay causes so much stress. And bear in mind that on port tack (as described) the windward boat naturally feels he has RoW (:listening_headphone) if the other boat is anywhere off his stern quarter either sailing or motoring.

I'm wondering if it is not a bit mean spirited to effectively identify a boat on a public forum as some sort of WAFI, when he's probably a perfectly nice chap just going for a bimble on the "big" blue sea with a cheery wave for all he sees!
 
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SamanthaTabs said:
Colregs definitely don't apply to Greek ferries....
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Don't ferries have right of way?
In my day job as a charter skipper I find it much safer and less stressful to just assume the stance of give way vessel, and just return the cheery waves...other commercial vessels.. Normal rules apply.
 
Twister_Ken said:
The correct way to proceed at sea is in accordance with the colregs. That way everybody (who knows colregs) knows what to expect from you. Those who don't know or don't apply colregs make life a damned site more confusing for those who do.

As to your assertion that colregs are useful for racing protests they, generally, have no relevance. There are entirely separate racing rules under which protests are judged.
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But if you adopt the attitude that kept me alive for 50 years of cycling and assume everyone out there is likely to do the thing you least want them to do then you can usually avoid colregs coming into it by a small early adjustment to speed or direction.
 
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