"Capt. JG" wrote in message
news:TMGdnTi8ufcsDobVnZ2dnUVZ_uqdnZ2d@bayareasolut ions...
"jeff" wrote in message
. ..
Wayne.B wrote:
On Thu, 1 May 2008 21:41:26 -0400, "Roger Long"
wrote:

The sailboats are just slower at getting out of the way after they do
something dumb.

Yes, and then there's that "holier than thou" attitude to contend
with.


Last year I took the ferry from Martha's Vineyard to Wood's Hole and sat
up by the bow to watch the traffic. Dozens of powerboats crossed in
front, all clearing by a wide margin. But amongst them were four
sailboats, limited to 5-6 knots. Three were able to pass clear, but the
smallest one obviously wasn't going to make it, and the 230 foot ferry
had to use reverse to stop in time. I wish I had seen the beginning of
the sequence, I thought the sailboats tacked in front of the ferry, but I
wasn't sure.

So this brings up the question: in some jurisdictions the ferry boats
have right of way while in their assigned channels. I think SF is one
such place, but I don't believe Massachusetts has that rule. Does anyone
know of other places that do?

Here's a video taken about 20 miles away. As it turned out, the sailboat
won the law suit, I assume because the ferry refused to back down and
give it time to turn around.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZPWA_3YfIM


I believe Syndey harbor has such a rule...


--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

Yes, Sydney Harbour Ferries carry an orange diamond signal which gives them
priority of way over sailing vessels. I have just come back from a week on
Sydney Harbour which can be very busy at times and require regular changes
of course to avoid other vessels.
Bill