On 31 Jul 2006 13:36:29 -0700, wrote:

Just exactly when is a singlehanded sailor in a strong wind expected to
drop the sheet or the steering apparatus to pick up, turn on, tune in
the correct channel, and broadcast a radio call on a handheld radio?
When some rich asshole in a big yacht is about to run him over, I
guess.

Attitude check.

The guy running the yacht was probably working for a living, and a
long way from rich. Your other description is unworthy of comment.

Sailing single handed in a strong breeze does not excuse anyone from
seamanlike obligations or responsibilities, e.g., the radio
could/should have been readily at hand and turned on, sail
could/should have been shortened to a more managable level, an
autopilot could/should be available when single or short handing.

You have some dangerous preconceptions.

On 31 Jul 2006 16:19:58 -0700, wrote:

Do any of you "Should'a called him on the radio" folks have ANY
experience singlehanding a 32' sailboat?

Yes. I owned a 34 for many years and single handed it many times. I
have also searched through the rules of the road and find no
exemptions for single handed sailors in strong winds. Preparation and
skill are key, otherwise don't do it.

wrote in message
oups.com...
What part of Roger's explanation did you miss?

The strong winds?

The fact that he was operating single handed?

The fact that he had the right of way but was bullied into giving it
up?

Just exactly when is a singlehanded sailor in a strong wind expected to
drop the sheet or the steering apparatus to pick up, turn on, tune in
the correct channel, and broadcast a radio call on a handheld radio?
When some rich asshole in a big yacht is about to run him over, I
guess.

That is totally ignorant. You should be ashamed of yourself.

So let me get this straight, the rules don't apply to sailors a) in strong
winds, b) operating single handed ? If the situation calls for use of a
radio and the skipper is not capable of doing that because of situational
overload because he choose to go single handed, perhaps he was not capable
of operating single handed safely. I suspect that Roger is more competent
than that and wouldn't hide behind that lame response.

Just to be clear .... he didn't have Right-of-way. You may be the last
person in this thread to know this. He was the Stand On vessel. And yes,
it sounds like the power vessel failed to make sufficient course / speed
correction.

Sounds like you are proposing a new day signal for "Caution, skipper can't
handle this vessle", kinda of like "Not Under Commad" but with an
incompetance slant to it.


Why don't you do a google search and look up some of Roger's previous
postings? He isn't exactly a rookie...


Capt. Bill wrote:
On Sat, 29 Jul 2006 14:59:32 GMT, "Roger Long"
wrote:

Yeah, I could have called him on the radio but the rules of the road
were written to make it possible to deal with something this simple
without having to yack and negotiate on the air. Having to make a
radio call in a case like this means someone already isn't observing
the rules.

Let me get this straight, you didn't use the radio because you
shouldn't have to if some one is following the rules, but at the same
time you state they weren't following the rules and you still didn't
use the radio.

So at what point would you use your hand held radio? After they had
run you over to call for help?

In article ,
Gerald wrote:
Just to be clear .... he didn't have Right-of-way. You may be the last
person in this thread to know this. He was the Stand On vessel. And yes,
it sounds like the power vessel failed to make sufficient course / speed
correction.

In fact, I'd rather be the burdened vessel. It's easier, because I
know I have to do something.

Sounds like you are proposing a new day signal for "Caution, skipper can't
handle this vessle", kinda of like "Not Under Commad" but with an
incompetance slant to it.

I suggest 1 prolonged, 2 short every 2 minutes for the duration of the
trip. :-)




--
Capt. JG @@
www.sailnow.com

Is a VHF radio required on a sailing vessel? Forgive my ignorance; I have
a number of smaller boats, and don't own a VHF.

My understanding of the situation is that it was Roger's OBLIGATION to
maintain his course and speed. Not to use (or even own!) a radio, not to
have a working autopilot, not to do ANYTHING else, until collision appeared
imminent. THEN he is obligated to take evasive action, as he did.

What am I missing?

Sal's Dad

What part of Roger's explanation did you miss?

The strong winds?

The fact that he was operating single handed?

The fact that he had the right of way but was bullied into giving it
up?

Just exactly when is a singlehanded sailor in a strong wind expected to
drop the sheet or the steering apparatus to pick up, turn on, tune in
the correct channel, and broadcast a radio call on a handheld radio?
When some rich asshole in a big yacht is about to run him over, I
guess.

That is totally ignorant. You should be ashamed of yourself.

So let me get this straight, the rules don't apply to sailors a) in strong
winds, b) operating single handed ? If the situation calls for use of a
radio and the skipper is not capable of doing that because of situational
overload because he choose to go single handed, perhaps he was not capable
of operating single handed safely. I suspect that Roger is more competent
than that and wouldn't hide behind that lame response.

Just to be clear .... he didn't have Right-of-way. You may be the last
person in this thread to know this. He was the Stand On vessel. And yes,
it sounds like the power vessel failed to make sufficient course / speed
correction.

Sounds like you are proposing a new day signal for "Caution, skipper can't
handle this vessle", kinda of like "Not Under Commad" but with an
incompetance slant to it.


Why don't you do a google search and look up some of Roger's previous
postings? He isn't exactly a rookie...


Capt. Bill wrote:
On Sat, 29 Jul 2006 14:59:32 GMT, "Roger Long"
wrote:

Yeah, I could have called him on the radio but the rules of the road
were written to make it possible to deal with something this simple
without having to yack and negotiate on the air. Having to make a
radio call in a case like this means someone already isn't observing
the rules.

Let me get this straight, you didn't use the radio because you
shouldn't have to if some one is following the rules, but at the same
time you state they weren't following the rules and you still didn't
use the radio.

So at what point would you use your hand held radio? After they had
run you over to call for help?

Wayne.B wrote:
On 31 Jul 2006 13:36:29 -0700, wrote:


Just exactly when is a singlehanded sailor in a strong wind expected to
drop the sheet or the steering apparatus to pick up, turn on, tune in
the correct channel, and broadcast a radio call on a handheld radio?
When some rich asshole in a big yacht is about to run him over, I
guess.


Attitude check.

The guy running the yacht was probably working for a living, and a
long way from rich. Your other description is unworthy of comment.

Sailing single handed in a strong breeze does not excuse anyone from
seamanlike obligations or responsibilities, e.g., the radio
could/should have been readily at hand and turned on, sail
could/should have been shortened to a more managable level, an
autopilot could/should be available when single or short handing.

You have some dangerous preconceptions.

The entire single handed thing is lame. I always single hand, no
biggie, 33 foot boat. The hard part is berthing. People regularly
single hand much bigger boats in much more difficult conditions. They
talk on radios, cook etc. Single handing a 32 footer is about the
easiest thing to single hand. Try a 60 footer or any dinghy. Both are
harder.

On Mon, 31 Jul 2006 21:14:44 -0400, "Sal's Dad"
wrote:

What am I missing?

What you are missing is the "prudent man" thing. If it looks like you
may be on a collision course with another vessel, and if you have time
to do so, it is prudent to attempt communication of some sort to clear
things up. VHF is the communications medium of choice in most coastal
areas, even with smaller boats.

"Sal's Dad" wrote in message
...
Is a VHF radio required on a sailing vessel? Forgive my ignorance; I
have a number of smaller boats, and don't own a VHF.

My understanding of the situation is that it was Roger's OBLIGATION to
maintain his course and speed. Not to use (or even own!) a radio, not
to have a working autopilot, not to do ANYTHING else, until collision
appeared imminent. THEN he is obligated to take evasive action, as he
did.

What am I missing?

Sal's Dad


VHF is not required on private boats in the US, don't know about other
countries but I doubt it. Regardless, waiting to maneuver until a collision
is *imminent* is never wise. Course changes should be made by the stand-on
skipper at sufficient distance that there will be no risk of collision as
soon as the stand-on skipper decides that the give-way vessel is NOT going
to change course. Yes, the give-way skipper is wrong not to change course.
But insisting on "right of way" is even wronger.

And I single-hand "Escapade" regularly -- a 30 foot ketch. I learned
defensive driving in high school back in the 70's, and apply it to to the
water as well. I always assume that the other guy is trying to hit me until
he/she demonstrates otherwise. And I always try to remember that I've made
some pretty bone-headed maneuvers myself -- more than I *care* to remember.

Karin Conover-Lewis
Rawson 30 ketch "Escapade"
Marinette WI

I think we can sum this up by saying that:

Roger was probably in the right as far as Colregs and right of way was
concerned.

Single handing demands some effort to think ahead and does not grant you
any special status.

The discussion that has evolved is the requirement to have/use VHF.
That is a good topic.

I don't think that VHF radios are required on small pleasure craft but I
wonder why everybody wouldn't have one as a basic safety onboard safety
item?

Furthermore, if one is onboard why wouldn't you make best use of it as
required by the Colregs?

(I interpret the rules to say that if you have one you must use it.
Just like radar etc. "all available means")

Gary

wrote in message
oups.com...
What part of Roger's explanation did you miss?

The strong winds?

Oh pshaw......my sense from Roger is that the winds were in no way
dangerous, rather of a force that required a tad more attention and muscle
power.


The fact that he was operating single handed?

My understanding is there were others below doing some cooking. Prudence may
have dictated burnt veggies below and an extra hand on deck.


The fact that he had the right of way but was bullied into giving it
up?

LOL Welcome to the world of boating.


Just exactly when is a singlehanded sailor in a strong wind expected to
drop the sheet or the steering apparatus to pick up, turn on, tune in
the correct channel, and broadcast a radio call on a handheld radio?
When some rich asshole in a big yacht is about to run him over, I
guess.

This to me is a problem. All too many sailboats do not have what I would
consider a proper radio set-up for the helmsman.
The rules may not require the use of a radio, but just as you must maintain
a lookout by all means available you should be able to work through/ confer
upon any passing situation by all means available. To not do so, says to me
that you are not adhering to Rule 2.
Obviously I have been following this thread closely. For the most part I
have not disagreed with Roger's basic reasoning not only about the actions
of the yacht but how he handled it. However, he has room for improvement and
I think he's learned some things from it.
Gary made a good point about "radio slang". Not everyone in this NG is from
the US and familiar with US Inland Rules .... so for those of you not used
to these Rules, now you know when in the US you may hear these terms.....
and for those from the US, when sailing outside the US, don't expect someone
to understand what you are saying.
One point that I have....... the discussion has centered on Roger and the
yacht. What other traffic was in the area? i.e. If Roger and the Floridian
were the only two boats in the area, it's one thing, but if there were other
boats in the area and more than these two were on a collision course at the
same time, then it's another story all together.


otn