[gpsbug] US Sailing - Rules in Brief
- From: "Wandling, John" <jwandling@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "'gpsbug@xxxxxxxxxxxxx'" <gpsbug@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 29 Aug 2005 11:53:22 -0400
Folks,
While looking at US Sailing website, I noticed that they have a rules in
brief posted. This might be a good thing to print out and keep on your
boat.
These are common-sense rules designed to avoid collisions. The
engine-running thing is not addressed as it is pretty basic, but I have also
had questions on right of way and think this is a pretty good condensation.
I have only one argument with the way it is presented....I don't like the
term "right-of-way", but I, like the organization, can't think of a better
thing to call it.
My main point here is that all parties should avoid a collision. Do that by
communicating. If you think you have inside position, for example, ask the
other skipper to give you room. If he (or she) refuses, do what you need to
do to avoid collision...even if you have to duck his stern and it costs you
a position. Tell him or her at that time (or as soon as is practical) that
you intend to protest. Some of this is quite straightforward, some involves
a little judgement. Two boat lengths, for example, is generally considered
to be two boat lengths of the length of the larger boat. If you are sailing
against a 30 foot boat, and have inside overlap within 60 feet of a turning
mark, then that boat has to give you room to turn between it and the mark.
A fine point that is often misunderstood is that, if you establish overlap
inside that circle, but did not have overlap as you entered it, you must
still behave as if you did not have overlap. Common sense, really, but
sometimes hard to see. What is being said is that a faster boat cannot run
up inside of a slower boat very close to a mark, then force the slower boat
to bear away.
Note that when boats are on opposite tacks at a weather mark, the starboard
tack boat always has rights. This is the rule no matter what point of sail
you think the other boat is sailing. If you are pointing as high as you can
on port tack, and a competitior who has overstood, maybe, is footing off
(perhaps to the extent of close-reaching) on starboard tack, you must still
remain clear.
By the same token, the right of way boat has an obligation to hold its
course. The starboard tack boat cannot bear away and "hunt" the port tacker
who is trying to duck his stern. The inside boat at a mark cannot change
course to force the otside boat further away than is needed to safely round
the mark, etc.
Let's keep the fun in this, know and follow the basic rules, and do
everything we can to avoid collisions. We'll be happy, our insurance
companies will be happy, and we'll all be better sailors...most of these
rules are additions to the basic COLREGS designed to avoid collisions at
sea. The COLREGS, by the way, no longer refer to "right of way". They
indicate that one vessel must "stand on" (i.e. hold course and speed),
while the other must "give way" (i.e. maneuver to avoid collision).
Good sailing.
http://www.ussailing.org/rules/RulesInBrief.htm
<http://www.ussailing.org/rules/RulesInBrief.htm>
John
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