BoatBanter.com - View Single Post

BeachBum[_2_]

On 8/18/2011 11:20 PM, wrote:
On Thu, 18 Aug 2011 12:31:50 -0700, wrote:

Tankers and large vessels are required by international law to avoid
collisions. They are not necessarily restricted in maneuverability,
since there are nothing preventing them from moving to one side or the
other

Nothing but physics.
I am sure you have never actually been at the helm of a ship. I have
(Coast Guard cutters 311 and 327 feet).
Even that small a ship does not turn on a dime. We are really talking
about an appreciable part of a mile if you are underway at sea.
That is why it is important that ships coming close to each other
communicate their intentions and follow the rules of the road.

Small boats just have to get the **** out of the way.

I have seen people try to race freighters to "the crossing" in the
Chesapeake bay to find out the freighter is going as fast as they are.
It is fun to watch them make a tactical retreat but they do get a good
rocking. If they did press this right of way thing they would wash up
on the beach in Norfolk.

You cant judge speed that well at a distance, but you can easily
determine if you are on a collision course.