Sorry Neal, all of the rules must be followed. Obviously, some imply no
action for some boats, but they all must be considered. You've claimed
that Rule 13 shouldn't even be considered because Rule 12 sometimes
might be used. What other Rules need not be considered? Rule 1? Rule
2? Are lookouts needed in your world?

You're claiming that a sailboat should ignore the rules for RAMs and
NUCs. Tell us Neal, just what rules are those? In fact, just about the
only rule that applies to NUCs and RAMs is Rule 13. The only rule that
mentions them by name says the sailboats must stay clear of them.

And what if a sailboat is also a NUC? Do we ignore Rule 18 because Neal
claims Rule 12 covers "all eventualities"? Nonsense!

One of the fundamental principles of marine law is that the rules are
mandatory. As Farwell puts it: "It will be recognized that a disregard
of any rule on the basis of convenience, courtesy, good nature, or
disbelief in its efficacy places the navigator under a burden of proof
that is almost impossible for him to carry."



Capt. Neal® wrote:


Most of these putzes are too confused by now to know of which they speak.

Jeff is the worst. He makes the ludicrous statement that boats must follow
ALL the rules.
Let's see now, Jeff thinks he has to follow the rules for a sailboat, a
fishing boat,
a Not Under Command boat, a boat aground, a boat in a fog, a boat
Restricted
in its Ability to Navigate and he has to follow all these rules at the
same time.

How warped is that kind of thinking, anyway?

The fact is, one follows the rules that concern certain boats in certain
circumstances.

Rule 12 deals with how two sailboats interact. Rule 12 covers all
eventualities. One
need not concern oneself with ALL the rules in order to operate legally.
This includes
Rule 13 because it does not apply just like Rule 9 does not apply in
open water.

CN




"Thom Stewart" wrote in message
...

Neal,

I'm beginning to wonder about this group a little myself on this one.
There are enough racing people that must know "LUFFING RIGHTS" and the
rest should have seen it used in the America's Cup Races on Downwind
Legs.

I didn't think you were that tricky in your wording, but I guess you
were.

Ole Thom