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COLREGS question

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jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/07/2011 : 18:50:55

I'm having trouble understanding a specific detail in the COLREGS...please advise which vessel (SV A, red or SV B, blue) below has the right of way in Example 1 and in Example 2.

Many thanks!!!!

Jerry

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9016 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2011 : 19:32:33

1. Both boats are on starboard tack, but B is to windward of A, and therefore gives way to A. (A is to maintain course and speed.)

2. Both are on port, A is to windward, so A gives way to B and B maintains course and speed.

Another way to think of it is that on the same tack, the boat that is closer-hauled is the stand-on vessel, and the one sailing off the wind gives way.

One other point: Nobody has "right of way" under the COLREGS, except when going down-stream on a western river like the Mississippi. One vessel has the duty to maintain course and the other the duty to deviate as necessary to avoid collision. If that doesn't work (somebody doesn't do what they're supposed to do), both must do whatever is necessary.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 08/07/2011 19:46:30

Ryan L
Navigator

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USA
230 Posts

Response Posted - 08/08/2011 : 00:16:20

Dave- I like your answer a lot! Much respect for pointing out the duty to act when necessary...

The only caveat I might add for Jerry is that if he's gonna use the "close-hauled" method mentioned above he should be careful to make sure he doesn't don't only look at sail trim to determine who is more close hauled. Plenty of inexperienced sailors simply trim and heel no matter what point of sail. In other words Jerry, don't just look at sail trim to determine if someone is close hauled but consider the boats' relative heading to the wind. When two boats are on the same tack the one that's heading closer to the wind is usually the stand on vessel (same thing Jerry said but different way to look at it).

Hope that helps!

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Downbucket
Navigator

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USA
188 Posts

Response Posted - 08/08/2011 : 09:35:30

Jerry:

I have a set of Davis Instruments Pocket Quick Reference Cards that I find very useful.

http://www.davisnet.com/marine/products/marine_product.asp?pnum=00138

Will

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Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 08/08/2011 : 13:09:34

I would say the big [url="http://www.sail-world.com/index.cfm?Nid=86959&refre=y&ntid=20&rid=4"]orange guy[/url] has the right of way.

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9016 Posts

Response Posted - 08/08/2011 : 13:53:19

If you mean the guy with the orange diagonal stripe, probably so. (Sorta like the unwritten rule of tonnage.)

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.