10-17-2008, 07:48 PM
I ran acrossed this description of "who has the right-a-way" when boats approach each other or basic rules of the road - it's a set of rules that we all should become familar with.... this description will bring out the pirate blood in all of us!!
Keep in mind that the "danger zone" is "dead ahead to two points abaft the beam on the starboard side". Translated, this means that while you are underway, and not restricted in your ability to maneuver (trolling sport gear is not considered to be such a restriction), where an oncoming vessel is on your right side anywhere from dead ahead to 22.5 degrees behind a line drawn, through the center of, and, perpendicular to, your vessels bow to stern centerline, YOU ARE THE "BURDENED VESSEL", and must "STAND-OFF", unless to do so would put your vessel and crew at risk. IN THAT SITUATION, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO SOUND 4 OR MORE SHORT BLASTS ON YOUR HORN, AND DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO AVOID COLLISION. the only exeption to this rule is "the prudential rule" which obligates the "privledged vessel" to "stand-off", where, if he maintained his course and speed, a collision would be unavoidable. Also, remember, "underway" means all the time, unless you are on the trailer, tied to the dock, or "made fast to the bottom" (anchored, moored, or in the case of a dragger, your net is fouled on the bottom while attached to your vessel). A vessel, while adrift, wherein his powerplant is operational, is also considered "UNDERWAY". Any vessel that is overtaking another vessel, on either side, is always the burdened ("stand-off") vessel, until he has completely passed, and the other vessel is astern.
Bottom line: we should all know at least the basic rules of the road, AND "be our brother's keeper
[signature]
Keep in mind that the "danger zone" is "dead ahead to two points abaft the beam on the starboard side". Translated, this means that while you are underway, and not restricted in your ability to maneuver (trolling sport gear is not considered to be such a restriction), where an oncoming vessel is on your right side anywhere from dead ahead to 22.5 degrees behind a line drawn, through the center of, and, perpendicular to, your vessels bow to stern centerline, YOU ARE THE "BURDENED VESSEL", and must "STAND-OFF", unless to do so would put your vessel and crew at risk. IN THAT SITUATION, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO SOUND 4 OR MORE SHORT BLASTS ON YOUR HORN, AND DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO AVOID COLLISION. the only exeption to this rule is "the prudential rule" which obligates the "privledged vessel" to "stand-off", where, if he maintained his course and speed, a collision would be unavoidable. Also, remember, "underway" means all the time, unless you are on the trailer, tied to the dock, or "made fast to the bottom" (anchored, moored, or in the case of a dragger, your net is fouled on the bottom while attached to your vessel). A vessel, while adrift, wherein his powerplant is operational, is also considered "UNDERWAY". Any vessel that is overtaking another vessel, on either side, is always the burdened ("stand-off") vessel, until he has completely passed, and the other vessel is astern.
Bottom line: we should all know at least the basic rules of the road, AND "be our brother's keeper
[signature]