Right of Way

[dpmulvey]

+1 IMO, Stand-on and Give-way are about more than semantics - these terms help re-iterate the fact that we're always obligated to to take action to avoid a collision. They simply outline who takes action FIRST.

The fact that we're always obligated to to take action to avoid a collision is just that..... a fact. It is written out in Rule #8 which most regard as Rule #1. Confused yet? Beyond that, Stand on and give way are not semantics. They are law. If you think law in general is nuts, try maritime law. It's why there are so few maritime lawyers and why they make so much money.

 

[OllieC]

You know what they say;

"It's better to be wrong and alive than correct and dead."

I keep that saying in mind while I'm River boating. There are a ton of 'bad' boaters out here. If I applied the 'stand on/off' rules with some of these clowns, someone would get hurt.

I believe it should be mandatory that to operate a boat, you have to 'earn' your Boater Education Certificate. I elected to take mine, and my daughter will take hers when she is 13 (not that this has anything to do with marina traffic)

 

[estoltz]

"The Pecking Order"

From BoatUS as a simplified explanation of the rules. You were the stand on vessel. To determine right of way for vessels of different types. Get very familiar with this list, as it is important to understand it thoroughly. The uppermost vessel on the list has right-of-way (stand-on vessel) over any vessel (give-way vessel) below it on the list:

Overtaken vessel (top priority) Vessel not under command Vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver Vessel constrained by its draft Fishing vessel (commercial fishing or trawling but not trolling) Sailing vessel (engine not on) Power-driven vessel

My squirrel brain immediately thought "What happens if a Vessel not under command is overtaking another vessel".

 

[OllieC]

My squirrel brain immediately thought "What happens if a Vessel not under command is overtaking another vessel".

refere to my rule below.....

 

[CliffA]

You know what they say;

"It's better to be wrong and alive than correct and dead."

I keep that saying in mind while I'm River boating. There are a ton of 'bad' boaters out here. If I applied the 'stand on/off' rules with some of these clowns, someone would get hurt.

I believe it should be mandatory that to operate a boat, you have to 'earn' your Boater Education Certificate. I elected to take mine, and my daughter will take hers when she is 13 (not that this has anything to do with marina traffic)

Amen to that.....as expected our lake was VERY busy over the Memorial Day WE.....we had great weather so that brought a lot of boaters out.....i was simply amazed at the number of times i had to take evassive manoeuvres to avoid a possible accident at times when i was clearly the 'stand on' vessel....but the one rule we all must remember is regardless of who is right and wrong we must act accordingly in each situation to avoid an accident....

cliff

 

[WDCboater]

I would have dropped the fenders and tied up to the boat that cut in front of you and asked to pass the fuel hose over and continued to fill.

No probably not but that's what I would have wanted to do. Your on your boat what's the rush. Enjoy

Hah. They did make a snarky comment that they were happy they weren't paying my gas bill.
I think they got 10 gallons in gas and I put about 150 in my boat.

 

[sdleo26]

I would have dropped the fenders and tied up to the boat that cut in front of you and asked to pass the fuel hose over and continued to fill.

No probably not but that's what I would have wanted to do. Your on your boat what's the rush. Enjoy

And that is being nice for a long islander! Seriously, if someone pulled in front of me like that while I was in the middle of getting into position in close quarters, I would more than likely be going to jail after I lost it. The lack of common sense and courtesy is mind blowing sometimes; especially in New York.

 

[AMFM3]

What is missed in the "Rules" posted is this...

The boat with less maneuverability always has the right of way. For example, if you happen to me on the Great Lakes and one of the freighters is coming at you in close quarters, he has the right of way even though he is bigger than you. That's actually the reason as usually the larger boat has less ability to turn or stop.

The harbor master is wrong in this case. IMHO

Mark

 

[Westie]

And that is being nice for a long islander! Seriously, if someone pulled in front of me like that while I was in the middle of getting into position in close quarters, I would more than likely be going to jail after I lost it. The lack of common sense and courtesy is mind blowing sometimes; especially in New York.

You just proved your own point.

 

[sdleo26]

You just proved your own point.

Point is I would be less than pleased., that's all. Maybe your right.; if it happens I will ask him why he did that and if he will come to counseling with me so we can talk about it.. Warmest regards; enjoy the season !

 

[northern]

Got nothing to do with boating but wright of way. On recent return form Mexico it was long wait at the boarder. There were 3 sets of lines. One for each class of boarder pass. The one for least proprietary entry into the US was the shortest. People would go to the end of it and try to force their way into the other lines. The people they cut off would ram cars that tried this. No idea how that worked out with insurance but would not want to find out with boat insurance.