"Roger Long" wrote in message news:

Here is the chart with the ferry (excursion boat would be a more
accurate description in this case although it is operated by a ferry
line) shown in red and our course in black. I just read rule 9 and I
would be curious if anyone would think that it applies to a 6 foot
draft vessel near high tide in this case.

http://home.maine.rr.com/rlma/Encounter.jpg


Roger,

From your chart, he/she was definitely following a marked channel. However,
with that draft they were in no way restricted to the channel.
1. Some boaters and especially ferry operators following a normal route,
tend to be "anal" about staying in the channel or along their prescribed
route.

2. Looking at your arrows for your and the other vessels headings, I can see
a possible view that could lead to a misread of your intentions from the
ferry's view..... i.e. that you would soon come left to continue down the
channel.

3. Once again, there are so many possibilities for their
action...............

otn