Pedantic Rules Quiz
 

For who might claim I'm picky about the rules, here's a quiz to show
what picky really means:

Capt. Neal posted a "Rules Lesson"

http://captneal.homestead.com/lessonnew1.html

where he said the following:

There are seven different classifications of vessels. EVERY vessel in
the entire world is classified as one of the following:

NUC
RAM
CBD
FISH
SAIL
POWER
SEAPLANE

How to remember?? How about this handy little saying: New Reels Catch
Fish So Purchase Several!

These seven different classifications are listed in what is often
referred to as the pecking order. A NUC has the right of way above all
the rest, while a seaplane is low man on the totem pole. Please note
that a sailing vessel is third from the bottom of the list. Despite
what many people think, a sailboat does NOT have the right of way in
many situations.
[snip meaning of terms, shapes, etc.]
See, so far it is not too difficult is it? You know how to identify
vessels and you know where you stand with respect to who is considered
the stand-on vessel and who is considered the give-way vessel. For
example, if you see a vessel while you are sailing and it is
displaying a black cylinder(CBD) in the rigging you know that you are
the give-way vessel. The only circumstance when you would be the stand
on vessel is if the CDB is overtaking you. Any vessel being overtaken
is always the stand-on vessel---unless. . .
[narrow channel and sailing rules follow]
[end of Neal's lesson]

Sound familiar? This is the classic "Pecking Order" that everyone
learns. However, there are two problems with it. I'm not talking
about the recent changes, or Neal's use of "right of way," or the
claim that it includes all boats. Actually, Neal does have a few
problems here, but it isn't anything about Neal's version, since most
pecking order presentations have the same two flaws that I'm looking
for. One of the issues is blatant, but not a situation that is likely
to occur often, the other is more subtle but actually happens
frequently. This is not a case that everyone's understanding of the
rules is flawed, or that you'll get into trouble following the pecking
order; its more that the rules don't actually say what you might think
they say.

Otn, JG, and other masters, don't give it away too quickly, I'd be a
bit disappointed if you didn't know this. Of course, probably no one
else cares.

Pedantic Rules Quiz
 

It's too bad Neal was such a bore, because this stuff is really good.

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

"Jeff" wrote in message
...
For who might claim I'm picky about the rules, here's a quiz to show what
picky really means:

Capt. Neal posted a "Rules Lesson"

http://captneal.homestead.com/lessonnew1.html

where he said the following:

There are seven different classifications of vessels. EVERY vessel in the
entire world is classified as one of the following:

NUC
RAM
CBD
FISH
SAIL
POWER
SEAPLANE

How to remember?? How about this handy little saying: New Reels Catch
Fish So Purchase Several!

These seven different classifications are listed in what is often referred
to as the pecking order. A NUC has the right of way above all the rest,
while a seaplane is low man on the totem pole. Please note that a sailing
vessel is third from the bottom of the list. Despite what many people
think, a sailboat does NOT have the right of way in
many situations.
[snip meaning of terms, shapes, etc.]
See, so far it is not too difficult is it? You know how to identify
vessels and you know where you stand with respect to who is considered the
stand-on vessel and who is considered the give-way vessel. For example, if
you see a vessel while you are sailing and it is displaying a black
cylinder(CBD) in the rigging you know that you are the give-way vessel.
The only circumstance when you would be the stand on vessel is if the CDB
is overtaking you. Any vessel being overtaken is always the stand-on
vessel---unless. . .
[narrow channel and sailing rules follow]
[end of Neal's lesson]

Sound familiar? This is the classic "Pecking Order" that everyone learns.
However, there are two problems with it. I'm not talking about the recent
changes, or Neal's use of "right of way," or the claim that it includes
all boats. Actually, Neal does have a few problems here, but it isn't
anything about Neal's version, since most pecking order presentations have
the same two flaws that I'm looking for. One of the issues is blatant,
but not a situation that is likely to occur often, the other is more
subtle but actually happens frequently. This is not a case that
everyone's understanding of the rules is flawed, or that you'll get into
trouble following the pecking order; its more that the rules don't
actually say what you might think they say.

Otn, JG, and other masters, don't give it away too quickly, I'd be a bit
disappointed if you didn't know this. Of course, probably no one else
cares.

Pedantic Rules Quiz
 

Charlie Morgan wrote:
On Thu, 02 Nov 2006 11:52:54 -0500, Jeff wrote:

For who might claim I'm picky about the rules, here's a quiz to show
what picky really means:
....

I doubt it's one of the answers you are looking for, but many folks
are confused or just plain wrong about what constitutes "Fishing" as
it applies to the colregs. A 20 foot center console trolling with rods
and reels is not qualified.

Indeed. And this is one of those areas where the rules and "common
sense" differ. I feel like I run into problems with this every time I
go out. For example, we're powering back from Marblehead and a power
boat is approaching on our starboard beam. I turn to go behind him,
he slows down. I turn more, he slows down more. We do this dance for
a few minutes as we get closer, and finally I make an abrupt turn to
go behind him and they start yelling, "Don't you know the rules?
We're Fishing!" Only then do I notice one or two unattended lines
trolling behind.

But you're right, this is not what I'm after, and even Neal comments
that trolling is not fishing.


It would also be pretty rare for someone to be dragging a net from a
seaplane! LOL

I'm always amazed when I see seaplanes land in a crowded anchorage.
There's no signs in Cutyhunk saying "this area reserved for seaplanes"
yet they always seem to find a lane. I guess they have a good view to
see it.

Pedantic Rules Quiz
 

Jeff wrote:

I'm always amazed when I see seaplanes land in a crowded anchorage.


What amazes me is a seaplane landing in the middle of the racecourse.
It really affects the shifts and puffs. You want to anticipate where
he's going to touch down to take advantage of it, but you don't want to
get too close...

It makes the effect of the fishing boat moored to the windward mark seem
trivial by comparrison.

//Walt

Pedantic Rules Quiz
 

"Jeff" wrote
(deleted the whole thing)

I don't know where you got Captain Neal's Rule lesson. The one I get isn't the same as the
one you posted. Maybe you have an old one in your computer folders. There's a little button
you can click. It has two twisty arrows on it. It puts the latest weblog on the screen.

Cheers,
Ellen

Pedantic Rules Quiz
 

Very good Neal. Thanks for absolutely confirming your identity.

But you could still answer the quiz. The flaws are not that
embarrassing because they're subtle. In fact, every "pecking order"
presentation I've seen has these flaws.

Ellen MacArthur wrote:
"Jeff" wrote
(deleted the whole thing)

I don't know where you got Captain Neal's Rule lesson. The one I get isn't the same as the
one you posted. Maybe you have an old one in your computer folders. There's a little button
you can click. It has two twisty arrows on it. It puts the latest weblog on the screen.

Cheers,
Ellen

Pedantic Rules Quiz
 

Walt wrote:
Jeff wrote:

I'm always amazed when I see seaplanes land in a crowded anchorage.


What amazes me is a seaplane landing in the middle of the racecourse. It
really affects the shifts and puffs. You want to anticipate where he's
going to touch down to take advantage of it, but you don't want to get
too close...

It makes the effect of the fishing boat moored to the windward mark seem
trivial by comparrison.

You should try racing near an airport, like Logan Airport in the
middle of Boston Harbor. Lot's of fun when an L1011 glides in a few
hundred feet over your head!

Pedantic Rules Quiz
 

"Jeff" wrote

But you could still answer the quiz. The flaws are not that embarrassing
because they're subtle. In fact, every "pecking order" presentation I've
seen has these flaws.

I think I know what you are driving at Jeff. There is a variation
of this pecking order that includes your two exceptions.

Pedantic Rules Quiz
 

Bart wrote:
"Jeff" wrote

But you could still answer the quiz. The flaws are not that embarrassing
because they're subtle. In fact, every "pecking order" presentation I've
seen has these flaws.

I think I know what you are driving at Jeff. There is a variation
of this pecking order that includes your two exceptions.


Go for it, unless you're so sure you don't want to ruin it for others.

But I'll give the first hint - you would only know these flaws if you
looked carefully at the wording of the ColRegs. That's why this
qualifies as pedantic.

Pedantic Rules Quiz
 

"Jeff" wrote
| Very good Neal. Thanks for absolutely confirming your identity.

So I noticed you posted stuff from a page that's not there any more. Does that make
me him? Y'all are such conspiracy freaks. Why do you think I'm Captain Neal? I've been
to his web pages lots of times. Some of it's educational, some of it's nonsense and some of
it's fun. Some of it's poking fun. I laugh at what he says about women sometimes. He's soooo
old fashioned. (like Katy in lots of ways) Or maybe he never had a fun girl like me to play
with. :-) He could never be me. Shame on you for saying it.....

| But you could still answer the quiz. The flaws are not that
| embarrassing because they're subtle. In fact, every "pecking order"
| presentation I've seen has these flaws.

I can only think of one flaw. How's RAM supposed to stay out of the way of NUC?
RAM's unable to maneuver and NUC's unable to maneuver. They should be equals.
Did I get one right?

Cheers,
Ellen