Max

R

RIJLudlow

Active Member
Joined
23 Oct 2005
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47
Location
Kent, UK
www.swanningabout.co.uk
There is an 18' (or so) old diesel-powered, wooden workboat, which on Sunday just gone was being used for leisure on the river at/about Chiswick. It is called Max. On Sunday a number of sailing boats had to take urgent action to avoid it: one failed to do so, and it was only by luck that the sailor wasn't hurt, as Max rammed him full amidships without making any attempt to slow down or take avoiding action himself. It was amazing. A full and frank exchange followed, during which Max's skipper made it plain that he was in the right, as he had maintained a steady course and speed throughout!

So...beware of Max.
 
um...as a newbie excuse my ignorance: Max sounds like a plonker.....did I at least get that bit right?

Used to sail a lot when I was a kid (Broads/Irish Sea/North Sea) and I was under the impression that powered vessels had to give way to sail.....or am I over-simplifying things?....must remember those nibbles and the Gin......

Simon
 
Sure.

That doesn't mean the raggy gits can totally ignore motorised vessels on that basis though. Really you should see the arrogance of some of these idiots, it's almost like they're trying to make you steer off course in a petty power struggle!
 
watson1959 said:
hmmm......is it OK to white-wash over one's boat name and sink them?
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No need to whitewash your name. Sail does NOT have an over-riding right of way over power. Can you imagine berthing a large Tanker at say Fawley Oil Refinery and a Sail Boat decides to exercise his perceived Right of Way and cross over Southampton Water? The Tanker will not even attempt to alter course. That is of course an extreme example but it has happened.

In short if the Sailing Vessel is in the wrong and gets run down then he is the author of his own misfortune.
 
byron said:
I'm not familiar with the RoW of Rowers. Never came across many when I was berthing a Tanker or a Freighter.
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Have you never seen them in Southampton Water? or the Thames Estuary?

Maybe you did not see them even though they were there :eek:

It always makes me laugh when they moan at wash on the upper reaches but quite happily row past the dome (or the O2 I should say..)
 
byron said:
I'm not familiar with the RoW of Rowers. Never came across many when I was berthing a Tanker or a Freighter.
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Try Rule 2 for size, Byron?
Rule 2
Responsibility
(a)Nothing in these Rules shall exonerate any vessel, or the owner, master or crew thereof, from the consequences of any neglect to comply with these Rules or of the neglect of any precaution which may be required by the ordinary practice of seamen, or by the special circumstances of the case.
(b)In construing and complying with these Rules due regard shall be had to all dangers of navigation and collision and to any special circumstances, including the limitations of the vessels involved, which may make a departure from these Rules necessary to avoid immediate danger.

Never mind rowers, a seaplane or two could add some interest:
18(e)A seaplane on the water shall, in general, keep well clear of all vessels and avoid impeding their navigation. In circumstances, however, where risk of collision exists, she shall comply with the Rules of this Part.
 
Give way Vessel

The instances where power does not give way to sail are well documented and the subject has been IMHO done to death.

No small vessel has the right to impede a large vessel in a narrow channel or when hampered by draught/maneouvring etc. - usually covered by local pilotage regs as well as colregs. - Where were you a pilot Byron ??!!

However on the Thames and with regard to motor cruisers the only instance which would generally apply would be the overtaking situation. So beware of Max - its poeple like this which will eventually lose the freedom from interference which we British boaters still enjoy (to some extent).
 
Robos bless the little B*****s

Aaah Bless them .....

Havent had a good robo rant in ages !

But being serious the colregs are there just as a guide to common sense unfortunately sense doesnt always prevail.
 
chuckaduck said:
Aaah Bless them .....

Havent had a good robo rant in ages !

But being serious the colregs are there just as a guide to common sense unfortunately sense doesnt always prevail.
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Being of a charitable nature, I take the view that rowers hardly ever see another vessel on the move and don't quite know how to cope.....

I do get annoyed that folks are reluctant to give any form of sound signal to avoid a "situation".

In extremis five blasts on the horn as a "what the *** are you doing" can be beneficial, or even shout "water" to a sailing dinghy; "ahead" to a Rowbo if the "driver" is unsighted.

It's silly to suffer in silence, and you migh avoid an expensive crunch. After all you're giving an approved signal, rather than displaying your displeasure.

It's never happened on the River, but if there was an MCA report / investigation one of the questions would be "were sound signals given".
 
TrueBlue said:
It's never happened on the River, but if there was an MCA report / investigation one of the questions would be "were sound signals given".
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An incident did occur but didn't need to go as far as an Enquiry. It was at the top of the Henley Regatta Course during Music Festival. A rowboat was run down and overturned by a Turk Steamer (I think the Windsor Castle). No one hurt fortunately.
The Patrol Launch witnessed the whole event. The Skipper of the Turk boat had given a 4+2 on his horn and also on his VHF. The Rowboat said he had heard the Toots but didn't know what they meant and had commenced to overtake. Case closed there and then.
 
Vindication!

I shall show Byron's post to my Management who complains about my signals that

"they disturb the quiet of the River".

Well, maybe, but better some toots than the crunch of steel against something else and following expletives!
 
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