Let me start by saying that I am in favor of using the radio
but I can see Roger's point.


"Wayne.B" wrote
Sailing single handed in a strong breeze does not excuse anyone from
seamanlike obligations or responsibilities


He didn't abidcate any of his responsibilities, nor do
anything unseamanlike.

Roger Long wrote:
Why is there no comment about being 228 feet long and owned by someone
richer than God not excusing an operator from seamanlike obligations
or responsibilities?


Just because.... maybe it's "Pick On Roger Day" or maybe the
secret powerboat cabal is working overtime to prove you're
really the one at fault here.


(the radio) could/should have been readily at hand and turned on


Agreed.


The radio is a back up.

Hmm, that is an interesting point of view... would you say
that out loud in an Admiralty court?

... Contact is not necessary for the rules of the
road to be in force.

True

Radio break, not all boats have radios,

True

Another issue that nobody has brought up yet is that radio
communication often is not fully or clearly understood,
leading to a different response than might be desirable.
Also, radio communication takes time and when two vessels
are on a collision course that can be a very precious commodity.


operating a vessel in this situation with the expectation that you
don't have to observe the rules of the road unless you get a radio
call is neither seamanlike nor responsible.


Very true


, sail could/should have been shortened to a more managable level,
an
autopilot could/should be available when single or short handing.


Come on, that's like saying all powerboats should be operated slower
because it will give everyone more time to react to crossing
situations.

It's like saying all sailboats should douse sail and start
using motors every time any other vessel is anywhere near
them. It's like saying stand-on vessels must maintain speed
& course even if it puts thme up on the rocks.

Why not just make boating illegal. It'd be safer and
eliminate a lot of confusion... cheaper too


My vessel was quite managable. It's not that I couldn't
get the radio but that it was easier to simply run off. I ended up
closer to Ram Island than I would have liked but I still cleared it.


And there is certainly some virtue in taking unilateral
action, rather than equivocate and say "Gee I should use the
radio." But then to some extent, you also forfeit your right
to complain about the other guy's lack of obedience to ColRegs.

For all you know, that captain may have been watching you...
maybe his computerized radar keeping a constant real-time
plot of your projected course and CPA... and saying to
himself, 'If that guy doesn't either tack or get a header in
the next 20 seconds, I've going to turn a few degrees and
give him a little more sea room.' Then he saw you alter
course, and said to himself 'hmm, he did get a header, I
don't have to.'



My post was about the fact that a no expense spared vessel, presumably
with crew of similar caliber to the paint job, whose Captain and crew
had just spent two weeks tied to the dock in Portland's most luxurious
spot, could behave this way with no way of assessing skill level,
radio functioning (or even existence), etc. aboard my vessel. The
rules of the road don't require them to think about these things, they
simply require them to punch 2 -3 degrees into the autopilot for five
minutes at the appropriate time and then back.

Yeah, that would have been nice.

FWIW there has been a perceived decline in the
professionalism of professional captains along the ICW down
here, too. And a lot more weekend warrior jackasses in Sea
Rays, too.


... There is nothing in
the rules of the road that says they don't have to do this unless
there is radio contact.


True.
But there is no reason for you to raise such a storm of
kvetching. You don't know what that captain intended or was
about to do.


If I had been closely obstructed by the shore or had a sheet jammed in
a winch, I certainly would have made a radio call.

And others have just been trying to make the point that the
radio is often not considered a last resort.

... I could have done
it but it was easier to just divert it a way that made it obvious I
was going to keep clear. I handled it properly and differently than
you might have but THAT'S NOT THE DAMN POINT!


Well, for some people it is

Fresh Breezes- Doug King