"KLC Lewis" wrote in message
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"Capt. JG" wrote in message
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"Wayne.B" wrote in message
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On Mon, 27 Aug 2007 09:02:17 +0700, wrote:
So it appears that the USCG does in fact differentiate between sail
boats under sail and sailboats under power by the phrase " proceeding
under sail when also being propelled by machinery" which would appear
to preclude the necessity of using a "steaming light" when simply
running engines to charge batteries, as long as the engines are not
connected to the propellers.
That would certainly be the common sense interpretation unless it has
been modified by some court precedent.
Part of the problem would be for either the CG or another boater from
determining if you're being propelled by machinery or just running your
engine. If the other boater picks wrong, there could be a problem.
It's not often that I can hear another sailboat's motor running from any
distance. If the sails are sheeted in hard and they're going dead into the
wind, or if they only have the main up in light winds (again, sheeted in
hard), it is fairly obvious they're steaming. Nobody, but nobody, in any
of the places I have sailed, uses the steaming dayshape. I did for a while
until I got tired of being the only one using it and nobody knowing what
it was for. Likewise with using sound signals. Overtaking boats in the
channel, I will sometimes sound the requisite two short blasts signaling
my intention to pass to their port side. Being inland rules, I'm not
"allowed" to proceed until they respond. But they think I'm just honking
at them and get all bent out of shape and return the flying bird salute.
You're not required to use the day shape unless you're on 12 meters or over.
I've only seen it once on the bay.
I wouldn't say it's always obvious, but it's not about hearing as much as
seeing the raw water coming out and wondering. Sometimes people do motorsail
with their sails full when they're in get-there mode (not that I think it
helps much, but they do).
Sound signals are more common here, especially when the fog sets in, but
also among the larger powerboats. We use the sound signals in our teaching,
but generally not in the marina areas because we don't want to annoy our
neighbors... I know, not exactly following the rules, but the horn is
available if we can't see or be seen. Every time I've used the sound signal
to pass, the other boat has not responded with a sound, but I did get one
guy wave me through like a traffic cop, which was fairly humorous.
Sailing or not, under power or not, I tend to apply the General Prudential
Rule and assume that everyone on the water intends to run me over.
Me too. :-)
--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com