Giving Way to Ferries, advice please

[iangrant]

I will probably be sailing down to Cowes from Chichester and I'm not sure about the the regulations with regard to the commercial ferries that go from Portsmouth to the IoW.

If i'm sailing do I give way to them in open water or do I keep going?

Thanks

 

[fireball]

You have to put the baseball cap on, along with the dark sunglasses and false beard ... then they might not recognise you and head off for some other poor unsuspecting sod!

 

[tokenjam]

In my very limited experience, they are f*c*ing huge.
Whatever the rulebook says, I'd keep well away

 

[snooks]

Don't get into a position where either of you have to give way/take avoiding action....you don't have to sail across their course.

The are quite big, easy to spot, and have a defined route

 

[ninky]

it's not just the ferries it's the massive container ships that put the ****s up me.....give me heavy weather over large commercial craft any day. best to steer clear as you are unlikely to be in a position to argue over rights of way after a collision. and stay out of the shipping lanes as much as possible. for large ferries at least i think they count as 'constrained by draught' - and the container ships certainly do.

btw does anyone know what speed those big boats do in the solent? i'm a nervous checker of stanchion transit to make sure we're not on collision, but how much notice (given how wide those boats are) would you need to make sure you can get out the way given that a small boat is only likely to be able to travel at low speeds?

 

[iangrant]

hmmm

i am wondering about the "you don't have to sail across their course", if i'm going west and their going n/s s/n then won't i have to?

 

[snooks]

btw does anyone know what speed those big boats do in the solent?

The big container ships can be doing 15-20knots up through the eastern solent, so it's always good to keep an eye out on the horizon, when in doubt, head out of the channel

 

[snooks]

i am wondering about the "you don't have to sail across their course", if i'm going west and their going n/s s/n then won't i have to?

Not if you aim for they back end

 

[tokenjam]

And then there's the fastcat and the hovers to watch our for, not big but fast

 

[iangrant]

Not if you aim for they back end

but what if they aim at my front end?

 

[Boomshanka]

From my experience in the area, the ferries from Portsmouth are usually 'watchful' coming out of the entrance (they usually give a beep or two on the horn to let you know whether they are going to turn to s'board or port)... then it's straightline for them to the IOW. I always make it clear early on with a 90 deg turn to run parallel that I wont chance crossing in front of them! The hovercraft is the bugger that really moves... same for the Redjet nearer to Cowes.

 

[jhr]

Can't you just yell "We're racing"? If you do, I'm sure they will scatter like pellets from a twelve bore

 

[snooks]

but what if they aim at my front end?

Use the advice given to me by my driving instructor

"When in doubt, bottle out!"

or do as the Knights of Ni do....RUNAWAY!

 

[bobgarrett]

I have never found them a problem. They are used to yachts, keep a good look out and usually give way to you (assuming you are sailing) in good time unless in restricted space (like Cowes entrance) in which case you need to keep clear. If I see them avoid me and go behind close I always give a wave to thank them - oops wrong thread!
As for the cargo ships, just keep well clear by scuttling out of the shipping lane when you see them in the distance.

 

[robp]

but what if they aim at my front end?

They don't do that now, they were all sent to charm school.

 

[fireball]

If you aim for their backed you'll either end up in Wotton Creek or Portsmouth ... no good as the OP wants to get to Cowes ...

I say don't bother with Cowes .... go to Brighton - much safer!

 

[mike_1982]

COLREGS:
Rule 18. Responsibilities Between Vessels

Except in narrow channels, traffic schemes, and when overtaking (i.e. rules 9, 10, and 13)

A power-driven vessel must give way to:
"a sailing vessel".

Having worked on Merchant Vessels I release how frustrating it can get with smaller Motorboats, PWC and Yachts coming in for a closer look in even if you have altered course!!!!

I was on a Tanker heading towards Esso Fawley when Cowes week was on(2002 I think). Most of the boats just move out of the way to be fair although from the bridge it looks particularly hectic!

Mike

 

[Ruffles]

The are quite big, easy to spot, and have a defined route

Unfortunately their route into the channel for Portsmouth tends to be a curve that depends on the height of tide over the bank. So if you're heading out you have no way of knowing whether they are aiming to cross your bows, go behind you or expecting you to get out of their way.

The other day I chickened out and made a starboard 180 degree turn back towards Portsmouth. Naturally the ferry was actually planning to go behind me and visibly wobbled as he corrected.

 

[bedouin]

You're a marked man Ian - the only safe option is to emigrate

 

[Twister_Ken]

Ian, you're safe if you can see their rivets. Sheer away when you can read the name of the foundry on the rivet heads.