On Wed, 23 Jun 2010 19:59:40 -0700, "Steve B"
wrote:


If you are a captain pushing a barge train, there isn't much you can
do to avoid a collision.
9 barges at a couple million pounds each are not going to turn on a
dime and it might take a couple miles to stop them.
About he can do is blow his horn.

In the strictest sense, it is in the details.

If the small boat was at anchor, then this gives the boater a certian
right as they are not under power. While the barge being obviously less
maneuverable has the right of way *provided* the small boat is under
power.

If the boat was not under power and at anchor, the barge MUST warn of it's
intent. It can't just blindly go down the river hell bent for election
and blindly run it down.

Another factor is about where the boat was anchored, is it a marked right
of way for shipping lane? This is unfavorable for the small boat if so
marked as you are not to park your arse in a active shiping lane. But if
outside the shipping lane, this is unfavorable to the barge.

We didn't get enough details on the read to say who was in fact guilty.

Even gets more complex on what flags were out, such as a diver flag.

Speed of the abrge is less importannt here. Other than he may have been
going faster than he could safely control it. For example, if the small
boat was on anchor, out of the shiping lanes it has the right and if the
barge was going too fast for control, that is a problem with the barge
captain.


What actually ARE the regs on pleasure craft anchoring in navigable
waterways and shipping lanes?


Probably the most relevant rule is 9(g):

g) Any vessel shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid
anchoring in a narrow channel.

9(b) is also highly relevant in this case:

(b) A vessel of less than 20 meters in length or a sailing vessel
shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate
only within a narrow channel or fairway.

However 9(f) may put some responsibility back on the tug:

(f) A vessel nearing a bend or an area of a narrow channel or
fairway where other vessels may be obscured by an intervening
obstruction shall navigate with particular alertness and caution and
shall sound the appropriate signal prescribed in Rule 34(e).


http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/navru...les/Rule09.htm