The theme for the NLSC for July is “Rules of the Road”. Come to our July meeting and learn how to avoid collisions on the water. Even if you know what to do, it’s good to have a refresher. And then get out sailing, and practice what you learned.
Many of the boating rules are pretty straightforward: Sail has right-of-way over power. Barges have right-of-way over both. Drunk has right-of-way over sober. Navigation aids and shoals have right-of-way over everything. And there are different rules for sailboats than for powerboats, and more and more…
Joan Gilmore has put together the “ROTR” program for our July meeting. Joan is a 100-ton Coast Guard Captain, runs the local Sail Away Sailing School, and really knows her stuff. The program will be presented by members of the NLSC Board. I expect we will get a good review of the basics.
But sometimes it isn’t so simple. Sure, it’s starboard tack over port tack. Except when overtaking. Or except when you just tacked and they did not. Or if you’re on starboard tack but the other boat is a river barge or a moored fishing boat. But, hey, what if you are wing-on-wing, with one sail on each tack. Or if the spinnaker is opposite the mainsail. Or what’s the catch with the mizzen on a ketch? Do yawl know?
Maybe that’s for the advanced course. Well, it doesn’t hurt to ask.
Okay – let’s see if I’ve got it: I’m on starboard tack, the converging sailboat is on port. I’ve got the right-of-way. But the other boat isn’t about to yield to me. What should I do now? The ColRegs (the “what”?) say, above all, avoid collisions at all costs. But the racing rules and practices aren’t that clear. Or they are that clear but the other racers are more competitive than the rules, safety, and common sense allow. What should I do now?
Or, another case: I’m on port, converging on a starboard tacker. They clearly have the right-of-way. As I see it, I have 4 choices:
1) Dip (i.e. change course to duck behind the other boat),
2) Cross (i.e. cross in front of them, if I am far enough ahead that I can do this “safely” - cruising definition, not necessarily racing definition)
3) Tack (i.e. so I will also be on starboard tack, thereby going in – roughly - the same direction as the other boat – and maybe gain the right-of-way as a bonus),
4) Collide (i.e. break the law and take my chances with Davy Jones, the insurance company, the lawyers, and the race protest committee – if any).
Hmm. Better make that 3 choices.
Or better yet, I suggest you ignore the above and come to our meeting for a serious, clear, logical, well-thought-out presentation about the real ROTR. And some practice in applying them.
It would be chaos on the water (not that it isn’t already) if there wasn’t an established, agreed-upon, single set of navigation rules. Come and see what they are.
See you on the water,
- R^2
Bob Rouda
NLSC Commodore