The COLREGS don't make any mention of 'common sense'.

As far as the COLREGS go, ferries are motor vessels and must
adhere to the Rules pertaining to motor vessels. This means
they are the give-way in many situations whether you or
they care to believe it. Their schedule and the number of
people they carry has nothing whatsoever to do with the fact
they are bound by the Rules to proceed in a certain manner
when interacting with other vessels. They can carry a billion
people all needing to get somewhere on time and that does
not relieve them of their legal obligation to give way to a
sailboat underway under sail.

S.Simon


"Schoonertrash" wrote in message ...
Ferry boats are like busses or trains. They operate on a fixed schedule and
many thousands of people depend on them to keep to that schedule. Common
sense, basic politeness, if nothing else will tell you to keep out of there
way. And it doesn't take more than a few minutes to Steer For The Stern
rather than the bow. If nothing else re-read Rule 2. Or better yet
consider them Restricted In Ability to Manuever by virtue of their job. It
also depends on where the ferry is located and under which laws it's
operating. In the Puget Sound and clear into Lake Washington it's
International Rules. Yet ferry's make one long horn blast when backing out
or departing. Why? It's common sense to warn other water traffic they are
about to move. Here's another difference which applies 'on' the ferry. In
Washington State they are considered part of the state highway system. All
Highway traffic rules apply to the motorist.

As for speed I took the hydrofoil to Victoria once and one from England to
the continent. Never again. Like roller skating across railroad ties.
Thumpety thumpety thumpety.

MST