Who has right of way?

[Bosun Higgs]

The fact that the colregs mention rowing boats in the bit about lights shows that the colregs covers rowing boats ie the regs make specific provision for the different characteristics of a rowing boat where it is necessary to do so. I dont see how you can construct an argument that says the writers of the colregs remembered rowing boats when it came to lights but forgot to mention them elsewhere.

In other parts the colregs dont make specific provision for rowing boats, as they dont for many other types of boats. So the only rational conclusion is that rowing boats are regarded by the regs as just another form of the standard power driven vessel. They are part of the " base case" of the regs.;

 

[Piers]

Boats propelled by oars are not directly covered by the colregs.

When under instruction for my YM, I was told that since a row boat being propelled by oars was mechanically propelled and therefore subject to motor boat col regs.

When writing an article on radar a few years ago, I was told the same by the MAIB.

So was this right or what?

 

[Coaster]

When under instruction for my YM, I was told that since a row boat being propelled by oars was mechanically propelled and therefore subject to motor boat col regs.

I'm inclined to agree. However, as the matter is debateable it would be both prudent and courteous to keep out of the way of racing gigs, where practicable. I suspect that a sizeable proportion of individuals rowing have little or no knowledge of or interest in the Colregs.

 

[Chris_Robb]

That maybe so but why deliberately reverse an internationally recognised rule? Just because they can?

If you have ever been down the French canals and try to work out why they keep changing sides of the channel..... I thought I had the problem and reason licked a number of times - but then another bend and another change over just proved the rule didn't work and there appeared to be no logic.... could have been in Ireland...

 

[LittleSister]

When under instruction for my YM, I was told that since a row boat being propelled by oars was mechanically propelled and therefore subject to motor boat col regs.

When writing an article on radar a few years ago, I was told the same by the MAIB.

So was this right or what?

No! It's not right. What it is, is what's called in the trade 'wrong'.

I SAY AGAIN - The colregs specifically provide for vessels under oars.

They carry different lights to a powerboat (actually the same as a small sailing boat). Sure an oar is a lever, but so is a sailing rig. A row boat is no more mechanically driven than a sailing boat or a Portuguese Man o' War jellyfish..

The colregs provide rules for all vessels, then some specific additional ones for particular types of vessel (e.g. sailing, power driven, fishing, not under command, etc.). The fact the colregs don't have specific rules for vessels under oars in crossing situations doesn't mean they have to be any other type of vessel, whether power driven or minesweeper! The main rules apply to them and any other vessel in a crossing situation with them.

As you'll see from the thread someone kindly provided the link to earlier, this interpretation is shared by the RYA legal dept.

 

[mixmaster]

No vessel has right of way. Some are stand-on and others are give way.

Besides semantics. What's the difference?

 

[LittleSister]

No vessel has right of way. Some are stand-on and others are give way.

Besides semantics. What's the difference?

The difference between them is they mean different things. (However, this isn't 'besides semantics', as semantics is the study of meaning!)

If you read the colregs it will be clear that they give the 'stand on' vessel a whole series of obligations (including to stand on, and to take avoiding action (and avoid certain manouevres) if the 'give way' vesel fails to take sufficient action; but also to avoid a collision from the outset, to keep a look out, to make appropriate sound signals and display the required lights, shapes or , etc.). It has no 'right' to continue on its course.

 

[Lakesailor]

It's like arguing about the Bible. You can only discuss what is there.

Let's face it. They ****ed up. They forgot to mention rowing boats.

 

[KREW2]

Makes sense, Windermere has a lot of skiff type rowy boats they rent out to tourists. I don't think you can give them a crash course in col regs before they set off on a trip around Bowness, but I think it safe to assume that someone in a sailing, or motor powered vessel would have a degree of knowledge of boat handling.

 

[Mariner69]

Pedant Warning On

The position of boats under oars was established in 1883.

The Manual of Seamanship For Boys' Training Ships of the Royal Navy, 1883 (1883) by authority of the Lords Commissioners Of The Admiralty states at Page 147

Rule of the Road in Boats.

Boats under oars give way to boats under canvas.

Two boats meeting under canvas on opposite tacks, both on a wind, the boat on the port tack gives way.

Boats under canvas meeting, the one going free gives way to the one on a wind.

This is below the section dealing with ships meeting which gives the same rules.

It seems to me that this presentation of the Rules is clearer than the legal version now in use.

Nothing about sailing cones point down or anchor types in that section