Here's what I got from the Washington State ferry system. It's an advisory
from the Port of Seattle. It looks like (paraphrasing the relevant
paragraph) the Coast Guard has established, for Puget Sound, security zones
around larger passenger vessels such as ferries and cruise ships. Vessels
should slow to minimum speed while within 500 yards, and mantain at least
100 yards distance unless they have obtained permission to approach. To get
permission to approach within the zone, among other things they can contact
the patrol or the master of the passenger vessel on VHF 16 or 13. Civil
penalties up to $27,500 for violations.

Here's the link:
http://www.portseattle.org/about/sec...security.shtml

When this was being publicized, I imagined that it was nation-wide, but all
I know about for sure today is Puget Sound. No doubt the Coast Guard in each
jurisdiction has made their own decisions about doing something like this if
they felt it was warranted. So this is the situation in Puget Sound anyway -
I don't what the situation might be where Roger sails.

Regards,
Tom Dacon

"Capt. JG" wrote in message
...
"Tom Dacon" wrote in message
...

Roger, despite what the others have said so far, Don and Tom, there are
no special rules that I'm aware of regarding ferries. There are some for
approaching large vessels, but I can't see how they would apply to a
ferry that can have twice or three times your speed on open water. If
there are, I'd love to see a link.

I looked on the Washington State ferry system web site but couldn't find
anything. I've emailed them to ask about it, and I'll post their response
when I hear from them.

Tom Dacon

Tom,

I've been looking on the CG site also, but can't find anything. But, you
never know of course. I know I have to stay a bit further away from
military, cruise liners, tankers, etc. But, why the heck would I want to
be close to those...

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com