Scotty wrote:
"otnmbrd" wrote in message
nk.net...
I've never asked the question:

If NUC and RAM were equal (i.e.,NUC had some ability to
maneuver)

Then it's not NUC anymore, right?

Yes, that would be Otn's contention.

However, how about this situation:

Otn says that a NUC is, by definition "dead in the water" and, if in a
harbor would definitely be anchored. But what if it chooses not to
anchor? In fact, We've all seen numerous cases of small boats broken
down and drifting free. They might reasonable expect small sail and
powerboats to stay clear, but do they have the right tell a dredge or
salvage vessel to move? Wouldn't they be expected to drop anchor?

Similarly, dragging anchor is one of the classic NUC situations.
Doesn't the vessel have the responsibility to act to reduce the
dragging?

Clearly, this is not "maneuvering" in the normal sense, but it is
altering speed and perhaps direction and thus shows that they do not
have to be considered absolutely at the top of the pecking order. In
fact, Otn's very claim that the NUC should anchor is acknowledging
that the NUC *is* expected to maneuver, since anchoring would alter
its speed.