What signals and who has right of way

[Rum_Pirate]

I am heading North.

The big chap is heading West.

I am fishing (trolling) at about 4 knots but I can manouver if I really had to do so.

So who has right of way?

He turned slightly and went past my stern. There was no real danger of collision.

 

[dt4134]

Trolling (even the genuine stuff you do at sea rather than the on-line version) doesn't count as fishing for the IRPCS. So you're just two motor boats.

 

[jfm]

If you're heading north and he is heading west and there is risk of collision, he had right of way. you should have moved out of way, and not forced him to turn slightly to port (which the rules actually tell him not to do)

I use the expression "right of way" as shorthand. I know Colregs don't use that term, but you know what i mean. I'm also assuming you were displaying no trump card shapes like fishing or RAM or NUC whatever

 

[Rum_Pirate]

If you're heading north and he is heading west and there is risk of collision, he had right of way. you should have moved out of way, and not forced him to turn slightly to port (which the rules actually tell him not to do)

I use the expression "right of way" as shorthand. I know Colregs don't use that term, but you know what i mean. I'm also assuming you were displaying no trump card shapes like fishing or RAM or NUC whatever

In reality, I was well past him on his original track even before he turned (3 degrees?) As I said there was no risk of collision. The picture was taken with full zoom.

 

[Fantasie 19]

Two motor vessels - OK, did my colregs YM Coastal exam this week so I hope the following isn't wrong!

Two motor vessels approaching each other comes down to which side is closest to you... if you have a clear view of his port side then you are the give way vessel.....

If in doubt both should turn to starboard (give him a short beep for good measure)...

 

[Rum_Pirate]

Two motor vessels - OK, did my colregs YM Coastal exam this week so I hope the following isn't wrong!

Two motor vessels approaching each other comes down to which side is closest to you... if you have a clear view of his port side then you are the give way vessel.....

If in doubt both should turn to starboard (give him a short beep for good measure)...

Thanks.

 

[jfm]

there was no risk of collision.

In which case the question who has right of way doesn't arise, any more than it arises between your car/boat on Nevis and my car/boat in London/Antibes

 

[l'escargot]

There was no risk of collision so no need for IRPCS. Just 2 boats going about their business without interfering with each other. No signals needed, you can obviously see each others intentions.

 

[Rum_Pirate]

In which case the question who has right of way doesn't arise, any more than it arises between your car/boat on Nevis and my car/boat in London/Antibes

It was just the picture that foreshortened the distance, which prompted me to ask the question, more with the 'fishing' element in mind'.

 

[halcyon]

Two motor vessels - OK, did my colregs YM Coastal exam this week so I hope the following isn't wrong!

Two motor vessels approaching each other comes down to which side is closest to you... if you have a clear view of his port side then you are the give way vessel.....

If in doubt both should turn to starboard (give him a short beep for good measure)...

Okay, but these boats are crossing, so what is it then ?

Brian

 

[PaulGooch]

Angling should not be confused with fishing. That's fishing, as in commercial stuff, showing appropriate shapes etc.

When angling, normal Colregs apply.

 

[whisper]

Okay, but these boats are crossing, so what is it then ?

Brian

OP is the "Give Way" vessel so should have made an obvious change in course or speed to go behind the big motorboat - "might is from right".

Useful thread 'cos I assumed trolling did count as fishing. Presumably you can troll commercially but would have to be showing correct shapes.

 

[VicS]

Okay, but these boats are crossing, so what is it then ?

Brian

Rule 15
Crossing situation
When two power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, the vessel which has the
other on her own starboard side shall keep out of the way and shall, if the circumstances of the case admit,
avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel.

"Boat on the right?... get out of the light"


A vessel engaged in fishing is defined in Rule 3 (d)

(d) The term “vessel engaged in fishing” means any vessel fishing with nets, lines, trawls or other
fishing apparatus which restrict manoeuvrability, but does not include a vessel fishing with
trolling lines or other fishing apparatus which do not restrict manoeuvrability.


.

 

[Fantasie 19]

Okay, but these boats are crossing, so what is it then ?

Brian

VicS has it, but as I understand it the same rule applies...

As in all these things, the Colregs imply a level of exactitude & close manoeuvres - in most cases as one of the previous posters mentioned we all act way before we need to apply them - least ways I try to...

 

[mjf]

Like other say I'm not sure if right of way matters here.

Was there ever a risk of collision or close quarter situation? Was the big 'un on a steady bearing? If so then your obligation to avoid if not then press on.



In practice and certainly in congested waters you would go no where fast if you did not apply common sense and adjust your course to show people courtesy make it obvious whatever you do so no doubt is left

 

[DAKA]

I am heading North.

The big chap is heading West.

I am fishing (trolling) at about 4 knots but I can manouver if I really had to do so.

So who has right of way?





He turned slightly and went past my stern. There was no real danger of collision.

This is a great question and I would just love to know the answer,
no real risk of collision but a boat ( slower displacement boat ) stands on , on the faster boats port side.
Perhaps he had a reason why he couldnt turn easily away but technically he should stand on and does so.

What was going through your mind as you stood on getting closer and closer to his wash.

He most likely assumed you didnt mind the wash or you would give way to the boat on your starboard side .

Technically not a col regs issue as no risk of collision, the wash isnt a danger as such.

So should we extend the col reg principal to good manners ?

As a stinker which can make a reasonable wash what should I do?

If a boat is on my starboard side then it is easy, I give him a wide wash free zone.
If a boat is on my port side is it up to them to give themselves a wash free zone by keeping out my way ?


Serious question, as I guess this is exactly what your stinker was thinking,

"why have you continued into his wash, knowing he is on your starboard side"

 

[henryf]

As soon as I saw your photo I felt the urge to turn to port a significant amount to show the oncoming vessel (who's starboard side is visible) that I intended for us both to keep to our respective tracks and pass starboard to starboard. The angle of approach is quite fine so there is a risk the other skipper will take the standard turn to starboard approach but in this case I feel doing so would cause the boats to pass in front of each other when there is no need to do so.

The trick is to use the body language of you boat to show clear intention and monitor the other vessel carefully.

Henry

Edited to say I've just read the North /West part at the start of your post. I had assumed both vessels were heading towards each other! He passes astern of you making any necessary adjustment to ensure your comfort and avoid any fishing tackle you might have out, (at 4 knots in the open sea you assume some sort of fishing activity is taking place).

H.

 

[jfm]

Edited to say I've just read the North /West part at the start of your post. I had assumed both vessels were heading towards each other! He passes astern of you making any necessary adjustment to ensure your comfort and avoid any fishing tackle you might have out, (at 4 knots in the open sea you assume some sort of fishing activity is taking place).

H.

Well that's great advice Henry. Tell the driver of a 20 foot plastic boat on an open forum, when he clearly is the give way vessel under colregs, that he should act is if he has stand on rights as a fishing boat (which he plainly doesn't) and thereby expect a 50metre steel boat (aka the stand on vessel, ffs) to alter course so as to get out of his way. I cannot believe I am reading such shoite

If any member of the public might be reading this in years to come, please do not do what Henry says. Please realise the boat about to run you down has right of way and you have an obligation to get out of the way

 

[MapisM]

So who has right of way?

At risk of being crucified, the other boat, because it's much bigger - period.

I just made a long trip, during which most of the traffic we met was from commercial ships, and almost invariably we HAD to turn to port while we were the stand on vessel (and a pretty visible one btw, with also AIS turned on).
One chap onboard is a former captain of a 140' yacht, who also made some transatlantic crossing.
The first time the above happened, I told him that we were supposed to NOT alter course and speed, and all he said was yeah, right...

 

[lisilou]

For me it's gonna be common sense...if I feel the situation is potentially dangerous I will move and make my intentions clear. Not gonna wait to argue the rights and wrongs of col regs. Just my viewpoint fwiw.
L