Roger Long wrote:
Good seamanship dictates passing, when possible, by a sufficient
distance to accommodate the unexpected. Even powerboat to powerboat,
it isn't wise to put the stand on vessel in a position where spotting
something like a floating log might force them to hit either it or you.

Gary wrote:
Good points. Of course one does not normally make passing
arrangements based on the likelihood that the opposing ship will lose
control. Good seamanship, however, does demand a certain degree of
prudence.

My original point was that the terms "one or two whistle pass" is not
commonly used by mariners around the world. It might not be clearly
understood. It may work when dealing with tug boats and pilots in a
particular area of the US but it is not a good way to learn to
indicate intentions if you venture a little farther from home. It
wouldn't work here in the Pacific Northwest.

In the early sixties when I began boating there seemed to be a boating
etiquette that was generally followed. The boaters I met or even read
about all seemed to be the type of people who would be appalled to be
exposed to boaters who didn't practice good seamanship *and* polite
boating etiquette, and would have been certainly mortified to be caught
practicing either poor seamanship or bad etiquette. I have a copy of
Chapmans from the sixties and quite a bit of the book was dedicated to
those two things.

Now while I certainly haven't spent my life at sea, I have some pretty
varied sea time on power vessels, sailboats, and ships. And what I have
been observing over the last few years seems to be an increase in poor
seamanship being practiced in both large and small vessels, and
especially a general decrease in boating etiquette. I believe some of
this is related to a sense of arrogance that some captains and other
boaters seem to display just like more seem to do in cars and trucks
these days.

Either(and both) of these changes, I believe, are going to lead to more
danger on the water.

I have only recently started to study for the OUPV license so I will
certainly not claim to be any kind of expert, and I welcome all
*constructive* criticism. That said, I have already seen enough on the
water to be wary, and read enough of the Reg's to be almost frightened
by what some on this NG and others have said over time. Even this
present thread shows so many opinions rather than a thorough knowledge
of the rules. One of the reason for rules (other than the obvious) is
for conformity - everyone is on the same page so to speak, which leads
to safer boating.

In reference to the above thread, for example, 35 or so years ago when I
took up motorcycle riding I had an accident. I just couldn't believe at
that time that someone who was looking straight at my face as I came
down the road would still just pull out in front of me when I got close.
I have never made that mistake again. When I am at the helm of a boat
(or airplane, bike, car, etc.) I assume that all others out there can
have a brain-fart or a mechanical failure that may put me in danger. I
am not paranoid, but I am always prudent, and therefore safer. I ALWAYS
take the responsibility for my vessel's safety, no-matter-what. And that
includes clear, timely, responsible communication and action, in the
appropriate manner. Oh and remember the guy with that twisted sense of
humor - Mr. Murphy seems to enjoy showing up at those times when you
have the least time to react.

And that brings up the above discussion on "whistle" passes. Please go
back and read the Rules on signals. Whistle (or horn) signals (although,
sadly, not as commonly used by small craft as before) are required under
certain conditions. If a radio request includes discussion of sound
signals you shouldn't have any problem figuring out the meaning if you
are familiar with the signals and their meanings. And unless I am not
fully understanding the above discussions, it is truly frightening to
read of a Navy Captain who doesn't understand sound signals that are
very clearly spelled out in both the COLREGs and the Inland Rules.