Armond Perretta wrote:
otnmbrd wrote:

"Armond Perretta" wrote in message news:

I can tell you from my own experience that contacting and staying
out of the way of commercial vessels, no matter what their type or
classification, is not at all simple. What it boils down to, it
seems to me, is that the small boat operator should get out of the
way and worry later about the effectiveness of lights,
communication devices, warning systems, etc ...

The one bit of good news is that under most cases, a large ship or
G smaller ferry will tend to be on a set and predictable route
(exceptions noted) so that you will at least have a reasonable idea
of where from, where to, and possible points of intended course
change when estimating how a particular sighting may affect your
course ...


There seem to be large numbers of small boat operators who actually believe
that commercial vessels will, in the general case, take action to avoid
small boats. Although few commercial vessels will intentionally neglect
taking appropriate action, it is indeed foolish to assume that the onus is
on the commercial vessel.

BG The "onus" is on the commercial vessel to treat every size/type
vessel, the same, under the rules.
Now that we've got "that" bit of legal claptrap out of the way ..... In
the real world, most "ship" people have learned that when they run
across a bunch of weekend recreational boaters, their safest approach is
to maintain course and speed and save the "course change" for a point
after the whistle when in extremis.
Having said this, when offshore or meeting a lone "small boater" where
there are no immediate hazards to navigation for the ship, I'd say you
have a 50/50 chance the ship will gladly maneuver, as long as your
heading remains consistent and they indeed have seen you at a point
where they have sufficient time to assess and make a maneuver.
At any rate, as a small boater, if you always assume that big guy is
working under the "gross tonnage" rule, you shouldn't have too many
problems.

At the same time I have on several occasions encountered commercial vessels
inshore who "wandered" in the same way that pleasure boaters are wont to do
(as you mentioned above). Chief among these are commercial fishermen of
course, but I recall several cases where large cruise ships, evidently
engaged in casino-related activities, seemed to be chasing me all over the
place no matter how much I tried to pass by or avoid getting too close.
This is something one encounters quite a bit in south Florida, but the same
thing has happened to me in the Boston entrance lanes and off Halifax NS.


You'll note in my above I stated "exceptions noted". You will always be
apt to run across some large vessel that is "wandering". My best
advice..... stay well clear!
G Commercial fishermen. I forget at times that we all may have
different views as to what constitutes "commercial".
A commercial fisherman is indeed "commercial", but I treat them with
"small boats" except that I have far fewer concerns when dealing with
them, as I am generally comfortable with meeting them, especially when
it's a group, that they will stay clear of me .... but YOU should not
feel the same..... and if it's a one on one open ocean condition I treat
them under the "rules".
As always, trust no one but yourself, to maneuver to avoid, under any
conditions, and note that my comments are mainly meant to increase your
awareness of the possibilities .... not as gospel for all operators.

otn