In article ydzzg.289377$iF6.117034@pd7tw2no,
Gary wrote:
I think we can sum this up by saying that:

Roger was probably in the right as far as Colregs and right of way was
concerned.

Single handing demands some effort to think ahead and does not grant you
any special status.

The discussion that has evolved is the requirement to have/use VHF.
That is a good topic.

I don't think that VHF radios are required on small pleasure craft but I
wonder why everybody wouldn't have one as a basic safety onboard safety
item?

Furthermore, if one is onboard why wouldn't you make best use of it as
required by the Colregs?

(I interpret the rules to say that if you have one you must use it.
Just like radar etc. "all available means")

Reminds me of a night sail many years ago... we're off the SF city
fron in the bay heading down to pier 40 to call it a night. We're
under sail, starboard broad reach. Beautiful conditions. Another
sailboat comes up on our port side, engine on, sails down, and pretty
darn close. We don't have much room to go to starboard, and I'm trying
to think of what the hell to do if he turns into us.

Finally, he's getting pretty close, so I try calling over to
him. Stupid move, he comes even closer, apparently so he can hear
me. Finally, he can hear me (we're talking 10 feet away now), and I
ask him what the hell he wants. His reply was do you have any gas? I
say, no, and I'm not even going to try (we're diesel anyway). He asks
if I know of a fuel dock in the area. I say sure, but I think they're
all closed at this hour. I ask, why don't you raise your sails if
you're low on "gas"? He says, oh, yeah.... clearly, this guy doesn't
have a clue. I say, if you're really concerned why don't you hail
Vessel Assist on 16, and they'll come get you? He says, I don't have a
radio. Grrr... so I say, do you want me to call for you? He says, no
and motors away, across toward Oakland.

I tried to yell to him to turn on his running, steaming, stern lights,
but he didn't hear me. Shhheeeeeeez...

--
Capt. JG @@
www.sailnow.com