Norwegian colregs

[ChrisE]

In Norway, there is a local colreg that says that commercial craft have right of way over leisure users. Seemed like a sensible move to me, you knew that you had to keep out of the way of the many ferries and fishing vessels that buzz up and down the fjords. I reckon that we could worse than adopt the same for The Solent and The Channel.

 

[hlb]

I thought we already had, in restricted waters. It's just the raggies that take no bloody notice!!

 

[Thistle]

So what about a charter boat being used for tuition? Leisure or commercial? How do you tell?

 

[ChrisE]

At the margin any law is difficult to interpret, but I can't think of an instance when I would have had to think twice about it (any ship covered in rust would qualify!). I don't claim to know all of the answers but wld have thought that it is not beyond the wit of man to come up with a workable definition, like over xx tons or yy feet

 

[Thistle]

"...a workable definition, like over xx tons or yy feet"

Workable? I think not: how many of us can accurately and reliably estimate the tonage (on whichever of the many scales in use) or length of another vessel when viewed in ideal conditions from the best possible angle?

The more objective the rules are, the easier they are to apply and, generally, the better they are applied. For example, it is a purely objective decision to work out which of two crossing powered vessels is the stand on vessel. It can be more difficult (for some, at least) to know when a vessel is constrained in her ability to manoeuvre: here some subjective decision-making may be required. Any problems arising in the first example are probably caused by ignorance or simple failure to apply the rules. In the second example confusion may arise through different interpretations of the same situation.

That said, the existing Colregs are not perfect and any suggestions for improving on them are worth consideration and discussion.

 

[alant]

Already being done for Poole Harbour chain ferry.

Currently its a 'give way' vessel, but is changing to 'stand-on' to all vessels not requiring a Pilot. This includes the Poole local passenger boats as well as 'leisure' craft.

 

[Ships_Cat]

Workable? I think not..

In our port vessels over 500 t must not be impeded. Is easy, if one thinks there is any chance whatsoever of another vessel being over 500t one just plots around it - is not a case of "accurately and reliably estimating", or actually going and weighing it, or looking up its particulars, or playing chicken with it just in case it should be under 500t.

John

 

[Oldhand]

Perhaps we should all register as fishing vessels then?