Crossing Separation Zones in Small Yacht

[JayBee]

J

I give up........

I think I'll just go sailing and deal with it as it happens .......

Good idea - me too.

FWIW my personal take on all this is:

Outside of a TSS the rules are clear. If you are the stand on vessel, stand on until you are required by the rules to take action yourself. In other words, don't believe that might is right and attempt to "help" the bigger power-driven vessel.

In a TSS, stay clear of vessels following the lane by taking early action to avoid impeding them.

 

[Sailfree]

Here we are :

Just follow the rules ! ( courtesy Cockroft and Lameijer)

The Four collision stages

1. More than 5m - both vessels - any action permitted

2. Less than 5m – give way – early and substantial action - rule 16
- stand on – hold course and speed - rule 17 (a) (i)

3. 1- 2m (?) If no action by give way then :
- stand on – whistle – rule 34 (a)
- may take action - rule 17 (a) (ii)
- mobos not to turn to port – rule 17 ( c)

4. (?) If still no action by give way then
- stand on – must take action – rule 17 (b)

The above is for tankers etc. probably shorter distances for us lot.......

On this advice I believe my actions (solent to cherbourg - not TSS) seem reasonable if stand on I do stand on providing I do not cross within 2mls directly in front of the bows. If other vessel has not changed course at about 7-800m from the ships track I make a clear and obvious turn for that ships stern. I then slowly change course as the ship crosses in front of me constantly tracking its stern to pass behind.

Thinking about it effectively I do the same thing if give way but probably show the obvious alteration of course about 1000m from the ships track.

I appreciate that some derided this advice when i stated it earlier in this thread and leave it to later/closer but that their call. Always conscious of the potential both changing course waltz towards a collision.

 

[JayBee]

Apropos of nothing in particular, I got this nice pic of the Eugen Maersk after she had altered course for my 11m boat, about 100 miles west of Finisterre and nowhere near the TSS.

Note to Seajet, there is no sign of anybody on the bridge.

 

[caiman]

Have a look at the MAIB site.Reports 20/2011 and 17/2011 make interesting reading to see how the profesionals do it in open water.There are loads more examples if you trawl through the site.
Note to Seajet,send a note to JayBee to suggest reading MAIB report 18/2011 K-Wave.You can't see anyone on the bridge when it's dark
Cheers

 

[timbartlett]

Have a look at the MAIB site.Reports 20/2011 and 17/2011 make interesting reading to see how the profesionals do it in open water.There are loads more examples if you trawl through the site.
Note to Seajet,send a note to JayBee to suggest reading MAIB report 18/2011 K-Wave.You can't see anyone on the bridge when it's dark
Cheers

That is a bit like suggesting that the average standard of driving in the UK can be assessed by looking at the police reports of accidents.

The MAIB only get involved when things have gone wrong. They do not report on the thousands upon thousands of potential collisions and near misses in which collision was averted because competent officers carried out the everyday jobs for which they are trained and paid for.