Fishing boat nearly runs me down!!!

[ytd]

problem is if you don't follow the col regs it can lead to a worse situation. I was sailing in the shipping channel and I could see a freighter would have to alter course if I held mine. I didn't want to inconvenience them so i turned to port to get out of the shipping channel. But they turned to stbd so that we would still pass port to port. By the time I had returned to the stbd side of the shipping channel it was quite a close pass.

 

[Danny Jo]

I had to do a 180 last summer to avoid a fishing vessel returning to base, crossing my bows from port to starboard. Standing instructions to my crew are to treat all fishing boats as if they are engaged in fishing all of the time they are afloat - after all, they are signalling as much with their day shapes.

 

[starboard]

[ QUOTE ]
I had to do a 180 last summer to avoid a fishing vessel returning to base, crossing my bows from port to starboard. Standing instructions to my crew are to treat all fishing boats as if they are engaged in fishing all of the time they are afloat - after all, they are signalling as much with their day shapes.

[/ QUOTE ]

What chance do the IRCPS have when as stand on vessel you make a manouvre like that........???? Hardly suprising it seems that fishrmen treat us all with scant regard!!!

Paul.

 

[fisherman]

I think my favourites are the Dutch motor sailor, under power, approaching my port bow at 90 degs while I was shooting a string of pots. As we were both going quite slowly I came right up to him, went astern and stopped as he crossed my bow, then carried on, just to be bloody minded really.

The other was a ship which, after making three course alterations in his attempts to run me down, (again, while I was hauling gear)came back for another go after hearing me report a 'close quarters' to the CG.

 

[fisherman]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I had to do a 180 last summer to avoid a fishing vessel returning to base, crossing my bows from port to starboard.

[/ QUOTE ]

What chance do the IRCPS have when as stand on vessel you make a manouvre like that........???? Hardly suprising it seems that fishrmen treat us all with scant regard!!!

Paul.

[/ QUOTE ]

That is the correct maoeuvre, if to stbd. You cannot turn to port, as he may suddenly see you and turn to stbd. Neither can you stop for the same reason, as well as loss of steerage. I have seen a large ship do exactly the same for the same reason. It presents the opposition with your stern, and increases the distance between you. You should maintain speed and complete a 360, crossing his stern. What else would you do?

 

[Loginname]

[ QUOTE ]
I came right up to him, ........... stopped as he crossed my bow, ........, just to be bloody minded really.

[/ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]
. Neither can you stop for the same reason, as well as loss of steerage.

[/ QUOTE ]

With contradictions like that I'm begininng to think that Starboard has a point....It seems that fishermen really do think that Col Regs apply to everyone but themselves.

 

[fisherman]

In normal circumstances I would not have got close, but I was, as I said, shooting gear.
There was no risk to either of us, had he altered I had plenty of spare power to get away, we were both doing less than two knots, I had slowed already to let him cross my bow. I could have altered to stbd earlier, but this would have turned my gear up into the tide and piled it up, I could not turn to port in case he suddenly responded to me correctly with a stbd turn.

 

[fisherman]

Come to think of it, it's a 'crying wolf' issue. You are half minded not to believe a fishing signal, given the instances related above. I get this all the time. A small gaffer, ghosting along in light airs, all sail set. I avoided him because I assumed he had hardly any way, or steerage to avoid me, then found as he passed he was motoring. In avoiding him, I put my pots where they did not want to be and had to haul them up again. Hence 'the occasional 'bloody minded'.

 

[Loginname]

Yes, it's a "crying wolf" issue. When fishing signals are commonly welded in position, of course other boaters don't know whether or not to believe them.

 

[fisherman]

If you ever see a fishing signal 'welded' or otherwise fixed in position you should, without question, inform the MCA.

Consider my problems while shooting gear. First, I have a man on deck manhandling the pots over the side, his safety requires my attention, I must be ready to stop, go astern, even cut the rope if he has a problem. If I stop and sweep the gear across the bottom it will find a hitch and maybe part off. The tide is sweeping me sideways, if I slow too much the pots go across my next string down tide, or a wreck or even someone else's gear. The signal really does mean I'm limited in my ability to manoeuvre, not just 'I don't want to be bothered with you'.
In the case of the Dutchman I could rightfully have maintained my speed and crossed his bow, but if I had a hitch and had to stop right in front of him, I would have no choice but to hope he could avoid me, he would think I was being really bloody minded. I should have eased the helm within the above limitations and gone close under his stern, but I felt like making a point.

 

[starboard]

I will always remain well clear of any vessel either towing or shooting gear, no problem with that.....the instance though that I posted was a differant kettle of fish as the vessel was only returning to port and should have been respecting the rights of others around!!!

Paul.

 

[maxi77]

[ QUOTE ]
[quote
There's nothing in the IRPCS to prevent you from moving away into safety.

As somone else has said, respect for naming the vessel. Even though you chose not to avoid it at least others will be able to now.

[/ QUOTE ]

I put this to you, what do we do then, spend the rest of our sailing lives running away from fishing vessels....at all times I had the situation under control, at a distance of 2 miles I had spotted the potential conflict, at 1 mile it was still a conflict but I reckoned on the guy seeing me and passing close by as our fishing fleet normally do here at Troon. At 0.5nm it was still a conflict, you now say I should take action but as stand on vessel that may then confuse the fishing boat............it is not until you get into a very close quarter situation do you realise that he probably has not seen you......my action was to give a sound warning and at the last minute was prepared to alter course drastically, the sound warning had the effect and brought someone to the wheelhouse!! This situation differs from 2 boats crossing or converging, then it would have been easy for me to alter a few degrees either here or there and always will do at an early opportunity therefore always remaining in control of the situation....in this case the vessel was steaming up behind me, you feel very vunerable with now where really to hide!!

Paul.

[/ QUOTE ]

Now I would have made a small alternation at the 2 mile point to avoid the future possibility of conflict. If you assume the other vessel is going to get it wrong, you will rarely be dissapointed. By waiting till collision was imminent you created a close quatrers situation where your freedom of choice was limited by the rules. Altering early allows you far greater freedom to protect yourself.

 

[starboard]

Interesting email response from the Clyde Fishermens Association...I like the point he seems to make about the case not being an isolated one???


Further to your e-mail of this morning and to our subsequent telephone
conversation, I confirm that I shall take up your complaint with those
responsible for the management of the Fair Morn and will communicate any
response I receive. The problem to which you have drawn my attention of
course is not, on the face of it, an isolated one but one which might
well require further general action.

I am grateful to you for coming to me with the matter which I hope can
be settled on an informal basis, as you yourself suggest.

Regards,

Patrick Stewart

Secretary
Clyde Fishermens Association

 

[Beadle]

On the NE coast where I sail we have the salmon netters out around this time of year.

Normally a coble with half a mile of drift net suspended from floats strung across the tide.

Usually the coble sits at the windward end and stands guard over his net. Naturally there are problems from both sides. The nets are difficult to see, particularly if there is any sea running, the boats stagger their nets and you find yourself being driven miles offshore to get round the last one or have to put in a tack or 2 to get to weather - which the next causes the next coble some concern.

I have found it much easier to go on their working channel and have a chat so they know that I know whats happening. They seem a good natured crowd although their language can be quite spectacular.

Don't recall ever having a problem with fishing boats, if they're fishing I give them plenty of room, they have a living to earn and a few minutes on a journey is nothing to me. Common sense seems a better policy than debating colregs.

Don't know what is like in your neck of the woods but there seem to be fewer boats every year up this way - sad really.