In the SF bay, ferries do not have any restriction on manueverability,
except near their landings. They are required to get out of our way
in the middle of the bay, and we regularly enforce the rules, which
they know quite well and always follow. Of course, we don't
deliberately put ourselves in their path, but neither do we shy
away from sailing where we want to sail because a ferry might
be going in that direction.

"Schoonertrash" wrote in message
...
Ferry boats are like busses or trains. They operate on a fixed schedule
and
many thousands of people depend on them to keep to that schedule. Common
sense, basic politeness, if nothing else will tell you to keep out of
there
way. And it doesn't take more than a few minutes to Steer For The Stern
rather than the bow. If nothing else re-read Rule 2. Or better yet
consider them Restricted In Ability to Manuever by virtue of their job.
It
also depends on where the ferry is located and under which laws it's
operating. In the Puget Sound and clear into Lake Washington it's
International Rules. Yet ferry's make one long horn blast when backing
out
or departing. Why? It's common sense to warn other water traffic they
are
about to move. Here's another difference which applies 'on' the ferry.
In
Washington State they are considered part of the state highway system. All
Highway traffic rules apply to the motorist.

As for speed I took the hydrofoil to Victoria once and one from England to
the continent. Never again. Like roller skating across railroad ties.
Thumpety thumpety thumpety.

MST