SKIP Please Read USCG COLREGS
 

Hi Skip:

Since you are a vessel 12 meters (39' 3") you are required to carry a
copy of the COLREGS. Do you hvae one?

Since you do please read RULE 5

Ive copied from http://www.boats.com/reeds/jsp/rn_ch_1_i_b.jsp#a9
below:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Rule 5 Lookout

Every vessel shall at all times maintain a PROPER LOOKOUT 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.

Rule 5
This is a basic Rule, the violation of which is so often the cause of
small-craft accidents - collisions with other boats or stationary
objects. On smaller vessels, the "lookout" is nominally the helmsman,
and this is acceptable if he is aware of his responsibility and
performs his duties. He must be able to hear as well as see potential
dangers. If in doubt, a skipper should post an additional person with
the sole duties of lookout; this is particularly necessary in
situations of reduced visibility. It is even possible that two
lookouts will be necessary - one forward and one aft. Should a
collision occur, failure to have a proper lookout would be strongly
held against you in court.

This is also the Rule that is obviously violated by all single-handing
skippers on long voyages, or even on voyages of more than a few hours.
Note that the Rule states that a lookout is required "at all times" -
this includes when a vessel is at anchor."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sitting at the nav station typing 500 word posts and looking at a
RADAR screen every 15 min violates COLREG RULE 5. Get out of the
office and sail your boat!
Bob

SKIP Please Read USCG COLREGS
 

Bob wrote:
Hi Skip:

Since you are a vessel 12 meters (39' 3") you are required to carry a
copy of the COLREGS. Do you hvae one?

What do you figure - that Dog will strike him dead because he doesn't
have some dopey book?

SKIP Please Read USCG COLREGS
 

"Paul Cassel" wrote in message
. ..
Bob wrote:
Hi Skip:

Since you are a vessel 12 meters (39' 3") you are required to carry a
copy of the COLREGS. Do you hvae one?

What do you figure - that Dog will strike him dead because he doesn't have
some dopey book?

The Coasties don't really care whether or not someone considers the COLREGS
to be "some dopey book." It's mandatory equipment on vessels greater than 12
meters. I carry it on Essie (at only 30 feet) because it's chock full of
stuff that anyone who calls themselves "sailor" should know. If you're
boarded, are required to have it, and don't have it, you'll likely be cited
for it.

SKIP Please Read USCG COLREGS
 

"Bob" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi Skip:

Since you are a vessel 12 meters (39' 3") you are required to carry a
copy of the COLREGS. Do you hvae one?

Since you do please read RULE 5

Ive copied from http://www.boats.com/reeds/jsp/rn_ch_1_i_b.jsp#a9
below:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Rule 5 Lookout

Every vessel shall at all times maintain a PROPER LOOKOUT 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.

Rule 5
This is a basic Rule, the violation of which is so often the cause of
small-craft accidents - collisions with other boats or stationary
objects. On smaller vessels, the "lookout" is nominally the helmsman,
and this is acceptable if he is aware of his responsibility and
performs his duties. He must be able to hear as well as see potential
dangers. If in doubt, a skipper should post an additional person with
the sole duties of lookout; this is particularly necessary in
situations of reduced visibility. It is even possible that two
lookouts will be necessary - one forward and one aft. Should a
collision occur, failure to have a proper lookout would be strongly
held against you in court.

This is also the Rule that is obviously violated by all single-handing
skippers on long voyages, or even on voyages of more than a few hours.
Note that the Rule states that a lookout is required "at all times" -
this includes when a vessel is at anchor."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sitting at the nav station typing 500 word posts and looking at a
RADAR screen every 15 min violates COLREG RULE 5. Get out of the
office and sail your boat!
Bob


One correction, Bob, but don't feel badly because you're not the only
one confused by it. Jeff, who posts here regularly, also misunderstands
this rule but he's otherwise got them down pat.

Rule 5 comes under Part B, "Steering and Sailing Rules" meaning rules
for vessels steering and sailing, in other words vessels underway.
Underway vessels do not include anchored vessels which, unless they're
dragging, they're not underway nor are they steering or sailing.

Good luck in your effort to educate Skippy. I doubt it takes, though.

Wilbur Hubbard

SKIP Please Read USCG COLREGS
 

"Paul Cassel" wrote in message
. ..
Bob wrote:
Hi Skip:

Since you are a vessel 12 meters (39' 3") you are required to carry
a
copy of the COLREGS. Do you hvae one?

What do you figure - that Dog will strike him dead because he doesn't
have some dopey book?

If he doesn't get himself killed first it might result in a citation
from the Coast Guard should he get inspected. But, the way he carries
on, it will be just one of many.

He's got a laptop so all he needs to do is download it to his computer.

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/navrules/rotr_online.htm

If they insist on a hard copy he can always print a copy.

Wilbur Hubbard

SKIP Please Read USCG COLREGS
 

* Wilbur Hubbard wrote, On 8/11/2007 8:23 PM:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Rule 5 Lookout

Every vessel shall at all times maintain a PROPER LOOKOUT 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.

Rule 5
This is a basic Rule, the violation of which is so often the cause of
small-craft accidents - collisions with other boats or stationary
objects. On smaller vessels, the "lookout" is nominally the helmsman,
and this is acceptable if he is aware of his responsibility and
performs his duties. He must be able to hear as well as see potential
dangers. If in doubt, a skipper should post an additional person with
the sole duties of lookout; this is particularly necessary in
situations of reduced visibility. It is even possible that two
lookouts will be necessary - one forward and one aft. Should a
collision occur, failure to have a proper lookout would be strongly
held against you in court.

This is also the Rule that is obviously violated by all single-handing
skippers on long voyages, or even on voyages of more than a few hours.
Note that the Rule states that a lookout is required "at all times" -
this includes when a vessel is at anchor."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Sitting at the nav station typing 500 word posts and looking at a
RADAR screen every 15 min violates COLREG RULE 5. Get out of the
office and sail your boat!
Bob


One correction, Bob, but don't feel badly because you're not the only
one confused by it. Jeff, who posts here regularly, also misunderstands
this rule but he's otherwise got them down pat.

Rule 5 comes under Part B, "Steering and Sailing Rules" meaning rules
for vessels steering and sailing, in other words vessels underway.
Underway vessels do not include anchored vessels which, unless they're
dragging, they're not underway nor are they steering or sailing.

Nope, that's not the way the courts read it. And, although its not
discussed much here, captains are not only responsible for knowing the
rules as stated in the ColRegs, they are responsible for understanding
how the courts have interpreted them. This is an aspect where
admiralty law differs from "land based" law. There is a huge amount
of information left out of the ColRegs; one must look to the courts
for a full understanding of the rules. And of course, one must be
familiar with the "ordinary practice of seamen," which certainly
leaves you out.

There have been a number of cases where anchored vessels have been
found at fault for not keeping a lookout. However, they generally
involve situations where a vessel anchored in or too close to a channel.


Good luck in your effort to educate Skippy. I doubt it takes, though.

SKIP Please Read USCG COLREGS
 

....
Sitting at the nav station typing 500 word posts and looking at a
RADAR screen every 15 min violates COLREG RULE 5. Get out of the
office and sail your boat!

Yes but just about all vessels that go off shore are in violation of
rule 5 most of the time. As nearly as I can make out fishing vessels
never keep any watch at all, but even commercial carriers are pretty
bad about watch keeping at sea. The "good news" for small boat
operators is that it is unlikely that we will damage the vessel that
runs us down so if we don't keep a good watch we probably aren't
endangering anyone but ourselves. Still, I'm not totally in love
with Skip's watch keeping system. Leaving the RADAR on 24 miles is a
mistake. Most targets will not show at 24 miles and closer targets
may be lost in the clutter. Also intermittent targets will only be
evident if you watch the ppi closely for several scans. Good practice
when only one set is available is to watch the screen for several
scans at long range and then repeat at medium and then short range
periodically. It is also very important to make a careful visual
scan on a regular basis. In clear weather I've found that we almost
always make visual contact on small targets before we see them on
RADAR.

-- Tom.

SKIP Please Read USCG COLREGS
 

"Jeff" wrote in message
...
* Wilbur Hubbard wrote, On 8/11/2007 8:23 PM:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Rule 5 Lookout

Every vessel shall at all times maintain a PROPER LOOKOUT 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.

Rule 5
This is a basic Rule, the violation of which is so often the cause
of
small-craft accidents - collisions with other boats or stationary
objects. On smaller vessels, the "lookout" is nominally the
helmsman,
and this is acceptable if he is aware of his responsibility and
performs his duties. He must be able to hear as well as see
potential
dangers. If in doubt, a skipper should post an additional person
with
the sole duties of lookout; this is particularly necessary in
situations of reduced visibility. It is even possible that two
lookouts will be necessary - one forward and one aft. Should a
collision occur, failure to have a proper lookout would be strongly
held against you in court.

This is also the Rule that is obviously violated by all
single-handing
skippers on long voyages, or even on voyages of more than a few
hours.
Note that the Rule states that a lookout is required "at all
times" -
this includes when a vessel is at anchor."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Sitting at the nav station typing 500 word posts and looking at a
RADAR screen every 15 min violates COLREG RULE 5. Get out of the
office and sail your boat!
Bob


One correction, Bob, but don't feel badly because you're not the only
one confused by it. Jeff, who posts here regularly, also
misunderstands this rule but he's otherwise got them down pat.

Rule 5 comes under Part B, "Steering and Sailing Rules" meaning rules
for vessels steering and sailing, in other words vessels underway.
Underway vessels do not include anchored vessels which, unless
they're dragging, they're not underway nor are they steering or
sailing.

Nope, that's not the way the courts read it. And, although its not
discussed much here, captains are not only responsible for knowing the
rules as stated in the ColRegs, they are responsible for understanding
how the courts have interpreted them. This is an aspect where
admiralty law differs from "land based" law. There is a huge amount
of information left out of the ColRegs; one must look to the courts
for a full understanding of the rules. And of course, one must be
familiar with the "ordinary practice of seamen," which certainly
leaves you out.

There have been a number of cases where anchored vessels have been
found at fault for not keeping a lookout. However, they generally
involve situations where a vessel anchored in or too close to a
channel.

And because their lawyers sucked. Probably as stupid as Dave. Rule 5 is
clearly listed under Steering and Sailing Rules. Therefore, Rule 5
applies only to vessels engaged in steering and sailing. There is no way
a vessel anchored is steering or sailing. What kind of a knucklehead
does a judge have to be to misinterpret something this clear?

Appeal the damned thing to the SCOTUS. I would. I hate it when judges
legislate from the bench in contradiction of written existing laws which
even a two-year-old could understand.

Wilbur Hubbard

SKIP Please Read USCG COLREGS
 

On Aug 11, 6:18 pm, "Wilbur Hubbard"
wrote:
Rule 5 comes under Part B, "Steering and Sailing Rules" meaning rules
for vessels steering and sailing, in other words vessels underway.
Underway vessels do not include anchored vessels which, unless
they're dragging, they're not underway nor are they steering or
sailing.



I can not agree with you on this one Wilbur. tsmweb Tom has it right.
Please read the folloing rule. My take is that nobody can hide behind
a rule as defense against poor seamanship:

"...Rule 2 Responsibility

(a) Nothing in these Rules shall exonerate any vessel, or the owner,
master or crew thereof, from the consequences of any neglect to comply
with these Rules or of the neglect of any precaution which may be
required by the ordinary practice of seamen, or by the special
circumstances of the case.

(b) In construing and complying with these Rules due regard shall be
had to all dangers of navigation and collision and to any special
circumstances, including the limitations of the vessels involved,
which may make a departure from these Rules necessary to avoid
immediate danger.

Rule 2
This is often referred to unofficially as the "Rule of Good
Seamanship" or the "General Prudential Rule." This Rule first states
that all the Rules must be complied with, and the customary practices
of good seamanship must be followed. But it then goes on to recognize
that there may be "special circumstances." Its intention is to apply
common sense to the interpretation and application of the Rules, and
to prevent any perversion of the Rules to avoid the consequences of
their misconstruction or misapplication. It recognizes that a
departure from the strict language of the Rules may be required to
avoid immediate danger - no vessel has the right of way through
another vessel! There may be special situations where a departure from
the Rules is not only desirable, but is required. Should a collision
result, strict literal compliance with the Rules may not be a
defense...."

not always by-the-book Bob

SKIP Please Read USCG COLREGS
 

Comon Wilbur, ..... read rule 4, first rule of Part B, then rule 5, then
read rule 2, then go back to rule 5 "every vessel shall at ALL times"
Gripes, it's so easy to blow holes in your comments.......




"Wilbur Hubbard" wilbu
anews.com:


One correction, Bob, but don't feel badly because you're not the only
one confused by it. Jeff, who posts here regularly, also
misunderstands this rule but he's otherwise got them down pat.

Rule 5 comes under Part B, "Steering and Sailing Rules" meaning rules
for vessels steering and sailing, in other words vessels underway.
Underway vessels do not include anchored vessels which, unless they're
dragging, they're not underway nor are they steering or sailing.

Good luck in your effort to educate Skippy. I doubt it takes, though.

Wilbur Hubbard