Oh no another colregs question

[colingr]

Under the definitions

Rule 3

General Definitions

For the purpose of these Rules, except where the context otherwise requires:

(a) The word "vessel" includes every description of watercraft, including non-displacement craft and seaplanes, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water.

(b) The term "power driven vessel" means any vessel propelled by machinery.

(c) The term "sailing vessel" means any vessel under sail provided that propelling machinery, if fitted, is not being used.

So what is a canoe or dinghy being rowed?

 

[Nick_H]

A vessel? It doesn't say every vessel must be either a sailing vessel or a power driven vessel.

 

[colingr]

Ah but what standing does it have in the hierarchy. i.e. can I mow them down with impunity or are they like raggies that get all offended?

I only ask because the Itchen is infested with rowers. A bit like midges and they seem to dart about all over the place with no apparent plan. Makes navigating interesting sometimes.

 

[Tugw]

Run em down !! but try not to get any bits in your intakes

 

[paultallett]

I think if you go down the 'sink em' route, might be best if you go round again for another pass to make sure theres not flotsam as evidence?? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[peterandjeanette]

I hate rowers.
Having spent several years on the Thames where they:-
a. shout at you if you come within 100 metres of them
b. shout at you if you have the nerve to suggest that they are still subject to colregs
c. shout at you if you should suggest they look where they are going from time to time
d create merry hell if you cause more wash than a drifting matchstick
e. wake you up at some ungodly hour with their training procedures

this list is not exhaustive - just look at the Thames Forum

 

[Canopy Locked]

Could try displaying this

Coupled with liberal blasts of the horn....

 

[DAKA]

as soon as they think you are not going to stop or go round them the word gets around very quickly and they soon scatter in all directions , in a narrow river they get fair warning of a boat on the plane because the river level starts to flow backwards as the water falls slightly until the boat passes (thats the formation of the wake, can take place as much as 1 mile up river, watch for mooring chains being pulled).

On a wider river it is more difficult for rowers to anticipate you, I remember coming back from Paris once on the Seine in the corniche, I saw the tip of a rowing skiff coming out of a tributary, I immediately pulled the throttles back and came to rest (7 knots) abreast of the rower, I was seriously concerned as I waved my arms around trying to warn him of the immanent Tsunami wave that was on its way, this man spoke very good English and thanked me for my concern, he even directed us toward a good birth for the night /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif(oops, for all those including jhr please read as berth)

 

[jhr]

[ QUOTE ]
he even directed us toward a good birth for the night

[/ QUOTE ] Leboyer method, was it? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[ebbtide]

Re: Oh no, Colregs and canoeists et al

Contact local HM and obtain a definitive procedure (if you can!)
Of course he won't support running 'em down but he will be aware of the issue and might be persuaded to circulate local rowing & canoeing clubs with the facts of life. The RYA's assistance should also be invoked.

Having almost decimated an approaching canoeist on the Upper Hamble who veered left when he saw me just as I veered to starb'd I speak with feeling!

 

[colingr]

Re: Oh no, Colregs and canoeists et al

At least I'm not alone then /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I'll carry on mowing them down whilst getting swmbo to hide the boat name /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[Chrusty1]

"So what is a canoe or dinghy being rowed?"

A vessel that is a lot more vulnerable than you in your super whizzo I want to go fast all the time, and nobody has a right to get in my way, power boat.

So slow down and give them time to react. They have just as much entitlement to enjoy their time on the water as you do, without having to worry about muppets in high speed power boats.

 

[LittleSister]

A canoe or rowing boat is a vessel as far as the Col. Regs. go. More specifically it is a 'vessel under oars' (you'll see there are particular provisions for them under the Regs. re nav lights).

The Regs do not make any specific arrangements for 'stand on vessel' in a crossing situation involving a vessel under oars, unlike with motor or sailing vessels. The upshot is that unless one is overtaking the other (in which the overtaking boat is the give way vessel, and the other the stand on vessel) both vessels have a duty to take whatever action necesssary to avoid a collision (including slowing down if necessary).

 

[AndieMac]

Re: Oh no, Colregs and canoeists et al

The folks in the rowing racing Skulls/Shells/Eights, whatever, must be an issue all over the world then.
For decades this fraternity have been risking life and limb to persue their sport.
After operating commercial passenger boats locally for many years, the encounters/issues were frequent.
They would come out in pea-soup fog conditions, and just appear thinking everybody will give way, bit hard when you can't even see them.
Rowing at night is always a favourite, with no lights.
Approaching a group of rowers from astern, hoping they will slow down to let you idle past with no wash, only to find they simply do not have the time to do that, so insist on maintaining their speed. Passengers onboard want to get back to catch planes etc.. Talk about a rock and a hard place.

Our biggest concern was the fact that most are young kids out training with little or no supervision, even the adult instructors in pickup boats treat all other river users as a nuisence, regardless whether yacht or mobo.

 

[nonitoo]

Re: Oh no, Colregs and canoeists et al

I went up the Thames for the first time a couple of years ago (I mean the upper bit above the city, not my usual stamping ground lower down) and encountered the rowing community for the first time.

What an interesting and unpleasant experience that was, I slowed down to barely a crawl, reduced my wash to virtually zero (two reasons, one to watch them go past and two for politeness and courtesy) and received verbal abuse for my trouble.

This happened twice on different days and I am afraid that, at that point, I suffered a sense of humour failure and for the rest of our trip I paid them little attention. If my reduced wake disturbed them then so be it.

It would appear that I was damned if I did and damned if I didn't.

Tom

 

[AndieMac]

Re: Oh no, Colregs and canoeists et al

It got so bad over here that the Marine and Safety guys (government body), called a river users meeting to discuss what could be done to improve safety issues regarding rowers. Yacht clubs, marinas, cruise-boat operators, etc.. all turned up except one group, you guessed it...the rowers!

They are entitled to their space on the rivers, and being at the bottom of the food chain, as far as vunerability is concerned, makes them a bit agro I guess.