Up until that point there had been some interesting situations developing
where I found myself on intersecting courses with other boats. Three times
in fact and in each situation my understanding of the colregs indicated
that
I should be given right of way (I was off their starboard bow and
maintaining a steady course and speed).


A minor clarification for your future reference: Your understanding of the
COLREGS in the situations you described is fundamentally correct, however
your terminology is somewhat dated. Some years ago, those who make such
policy decisions decided to abandon the concept and term of "right of way".
I suspect it has to do with implication that a vessel with the "right of
way" has carte blanche to do whatever suited his fancy. The current concept
and terminology declares the burdened vessel the "give way" vessel, and the
privileged vessel the "stand on" vessel. The "give way" vessel is expected
to take early and substantial action by way of changing course and/or speed
to stay clear of the "stand on" vessel. The "stand on" vessel must, in
normal conditions, maintain course and speed, just as you have described
your actions. The difference is mostly semantical, in that no one actually
gave you a right of way, but rather you were obliged by the rules of the
road to maintain course and speed, which you did. The other vessels were
obliged to alter course and/or speed, which they apparently did. Under
current terminology, no vessel actually had a "right of way." The exception
to this concept and rule is when for whatever reason, a collision appears
imminent. In that case each vessel is required to take whatever action
necessary to avoid collision, even if it means violating the conventional
rules of the road.