"Donal" wrote in message
...

So where in the Colregs does it say you can't run on radar alone?

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Rule 5

Look-out

Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and
hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing
circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation
and of the risk of collision.
=================================

That says you must maintain the lookout - it doesn't say you can't proceed when
visibility is limited. The courts have ruled that speeds up to 10 knots and
higher can be a safe speed in some circumstances, even in very limited
visibility.

Adding radar (required on all large ships) raises the "acceptable" speed a bit.
As I mentioned in the case of the Fast Cat Ferry, it was going 13.4 knots
shortly before the collision - this was not considered a factor in the
collision. Given that there was "zero visibility" we have to view this as
effectively running on radar alone.


Of course,
one should always have a visual (and sound) watch, but that is moot if
there is
effectively zero visibility.

Jeff. It isn't moot. "at ***all**** times .... by sight and sound...".

I don't see your point here at all. Are you claiming that all traffic should
stop in thick fog? This is clearly not what happens. The laws and the court
rulings allow continuing, within limits, on radar alone. Clearly society has
determined that the value of continued commerce outweighs the risks to some
vessels.

If you're going to fantasize about a better world, how about one without the
common cold?