The square rigged sailing ship in the picture below is operating only under sail and moving faster than the USS Wasp behind it in the background. Wasp is under command, under her own power and not showing the “ball-diamond-ball” day marker indicating a vessel restricted by draft or in her ability to maneuever.
Answers –
A: The sailboat has the right of way – vessels under sail are always the “stand-on” vessels and the Wasp must give way since 1) she is not limited by draft or otherwise restricted in her ability to maneuver, or not under command and 2) the sailboats are not operating under power.
B: As the larger ship in a narrow channel, the LHD is the stand-on vessel and the sailboats must maneuver to avoid collision.
C: Neither has the right of way – both must maneuver to avoid a collision.
D: None of the above.
The most correct answer is D.
“A” would ordinarily be correct: Under the inland rules of the road, sailboats generally have the right of way over vessels under command, not restricted in their ability to maneuver and operating under their own power, so long as the sailing vessels themselves are not operating engines.
In this case however, LHD’s being big, fat, slow ships, the sailboats are overtaking the Wasp, which fact burdens them as the “give way” vessels.
Answer “B” encapsulates the convention known as the “Law of Gross Tonnage.” That “law” is not technically binding under the rules of the road, but states that even though a dory might have the right of way over an aircraft carrier in a crossing situation, the wise dory mariner would not insist upon that right.
Answer “C” is generally true, but applies chiefly in extremis situations and emphasizes the common sense rule of thumb that all parties have a responsibility to avoid collisions at sea.
Here lies the body of Michael O’Day,
He died maintaining the right of way.
He was right, dead right, as he sailed along.
Now he’s just as dead as if he’d been wrong.
Nose (Licensed USCG Captain)
Having spent many years sailing boats I immediately thought that A was the correct answer. All those power boats out for a few hours of fun with their overstocked coolers of beer. They were required to give way to those under sail, especially when we were racing. Unfortunately, many of the skippers of said power boats were unschooled in the rules of the road so one always had to remain alert and, more than one time, give way to the pleasure power boater…
However, after reviewing the photo, I would absolutely agree that the sail boat would be very wise to give way to the Wasp. Can’t really argue a “rules of the road” if you are crushed under a huge hull…
E: The square-rigger is opening the range, so who has the right-of-way is moot.
OK, so I can be a smart @ss at times …
Cap’n,
Which vessel can run her guns out faster? Which vessel can ‘Cross the T’ faster? Would those not be THE deciding factors?
I immediately thought of Rhythms and the aircraft carrier’s encounter with the dhow. That being the extent of my knowledge of such things.
And thought “Whoever technically has the right of way, it doesn’t really matter. Because the CO of the Wasp is not going to let it collide with that sailboat. That would not be a good thing for his command”.
See, its like you’re training me.
Not so sure if that’s a good thing or not, though.
One of my merchant marine skippers got tired of small sailing craft darting in front of the bows of his coastal freighter in a restricted channel. Calling them on the radio didn’t help, and they simply ignored lightgun and whistle signals, convinced that the right of way would save them. He was really concerned he were going to run somebody down because his ship could not leave the dredged channel.
So he acquired a used 19′ O’Day sailboat, dropped it from masthead height on to the concrete pier a couple of times, then had the ship’s forklift tines puncture the hull in several places. The chief engineer welded a cradle that held the crumpled pieces of the boat, its bent mast and ripped sails into a “collision collage”.
On entering “sail-infested waters”, the collage was secured over the bow, suspended from the top of the anchors just above the waterline. Looked just like he had run over some hapless fool and didn’t know it –or did know it and couldn’t be bothered to stop. It sent the message and he had no more problems.
The yachtsmen shaking their fists at him just made him smile.
D. None of the above – Wasp is anchored. Download the high-res photo, zoom in and you’ll see the anchors are down and the anchor day shape is raised. Jack and ensign are not visible probably because prevailing wind is from behind and to the left of the viewer…
- SJS
Dammit, SJ, that’s just like some smart alec who knows what he’s talking about, to spoil people’s fun, ’specially Lex’s who was hoping for a few more suckers to show up.
Seriously, though, I’d need instruction if I were to go sailing again. When I was a kid, they taught me that a close-hauled vessel is privileged over one running free. I hear that’s been changed, since, there being not so many square-rigged vessels left.
On being prudent and dodging: The whole point of “privileged” and “burdened” is predictability, that is, the “privileged” vessel is required to maintain course, so that the “burdened” vessel knows which way to dodge. Of course, if yer fixin’ to die in the next 30 seconds, do what you think is best.
Oh, when I was a kid, I tried to get a drawbridge operator to lift it for me by blowing the correct signal on a horn, while in my Optimist Pram. Bugger didn’t even do me the favor of laughing at me, just rolled eyes and turned his back on me. Made me feel small and unimportant, he did
My “favorites” were the crabbers in the main channel of the Elizabeth River who staunchly remained in place when we would give our obligatory ‘underway’ toot followed by the danger signal. ’twasn’t ’til IKE was almost on top of ‘em that they’d scatter…
- SJS
In keeping with the spirit of extreme pedantry
, I note that the sailing ship in question is not square-rigged. She’s wearing a bark rig: square-rigged foremast and mainmast, with a schooner rig on the mizzenmast.
Judging by the sail configuration and the swept white hull, this is almost certainly one of the dozen or so barks that have been built in various shipyards to the plans of the Gorch Fock, a training ship built by Blohm & Voss for the Kriegsmarine in 1933. B&V built a total of four barks to these plans, one of which became the US Coast Guard Training Ship Eagle. B&V built a fifth bark to the same plan in 1958, while Spanish shipyards have built several more using the same plans.
I would have deferred to the “lug nut rule” (i.e. whoever has the most lug nuts has the right of way) but since boats do not have lug nuts, I was at a loss.
You’re right SJS! Who ever heard of manning the rails at anchor, for heaven’s sake?
Although I will point out that, for the sake of the scenario as it was given, the vessel being “under command” and “under her own power” presumed a ship underway, as much as not being restricted in draft of maneuverability also begged the question.
Which is not nearly as difficult to grok as is wolfwalker’s bark laying there with full headsails on the one hand, luffing gaffs and backed courses on the other.
I invite your attention to Rule 9 of the Colregs. A tough question.
A summary, for those keeping score at home…
Damn, turn your back for a few minutes, and you miss all the action. Of course D, but why? I’ve been taught that right of way goes to Military and Commercial vessels over pleasure craft. However, I am admittedly loosely schooled in these matters.
Ahh, would that be a “Horsed Vessel”? Nope, don’t have that ugly CG stripe that USCG BARK Eagle, DAMMIT, wears.
Might be a sister, though. Velociman and I got all crossways with each other about this. He did actually go aloft to hand and reef in Eagle (Horst Wessel) when young.
A bark is not a ship.
Lex, I looked at the link, and started laughing at rule 7(c): “Assumptions shall not be made on the basis of scanty information, especially scanty radar information.”
Jtg thinks: Andrea Doria. And other “radar-assisted” collisions. Everybody who goes to sea in charge of anything too big to be propelled by outboard motors needs to train with the wonderful circular maneuvering board, dammit!
“Who ever heard of manning the rails at anchor, for heaven?
“Who ever heard of manning the rails at anchor, for heaven’s sake?”
Well, much as I sometimes scratched my head in befuddled wonderment at our fellow shoe brethern’s carryings on, it might be that Wasp, as presumably the reviewing ship, has just finished observing the last of the “pass in review”, given the general disposition of the other vessels, and had the rails manned for such as this. A close scrutiny of the pixels may lead one to conclude the crew has just been dismissed from station. Perhaps.
- SJS
They’re not manning the rails, that’s the steel beach picnic chow line.
JTG, when I was OOD many moons ago we considered combat to be the nearest hazard to navigation, and accidentally said so out loud once or twice.
Lex, studying up for a command at sea tour?
Ok, Time for all Y’all to get off the puter and watch my San Antonio SPUR’S Kick the livin Sunni out of the Cav’s!
That’s a puzzler, all right, Lex. Headsails look filled, as does the main t’mast staysail, and the mizzen sails seem to be partly filled, all of which suggests a wind from the starboard quarter. The fore- and mainmast yards are all turned to catch the same wind. But then, why do those sails all look flat?
The only answer that makes any sense to me is that the square sails are being set (note the courses are still being unfurled), and haven’t filled yet.
Justthisguy: I agree: probably a sister or cousin of Eagle nee Horst Wessel, which was herself a sister of Gorch Fock.
The Wasp is anchored. Port anchor tending up and down. The “Don’t Tread on Me” jack is clearly up. Black Ball hoisted. Accom ladder is down amidships. Rules of the Road don’t apply.
Now lets suppose the Wasp was underway. The answer is “none of the above” because there is not a “Risk of Collison”. In order for the Rules to apply the vessels have to be in sight of one another and a risk of collison must exist.
From the bridge of the Wasp; the sailboats (don’t care if its a bark or not) target angle is approximately 150-160 degrees and is drifting left. In other words, there is a contact on the port bow of the Wasp, showing a starboard quarter aspect, with left bearing drift e.g. no risk of collison e.g. rules of the road don’t come into play. Contacts on your port side, with good left bearing drift can’t collide with you. It’s a relative motion thing…
But the real reason the sailboat will always stay out of the Wasps way is called the Law of Gross Tonnage.
Y’all are too expert for me, but when my husband and I married in 1971, he was a dedicated sailboat racer [we're only a few miles from Galveston Bay, after all] and he made me read two books, Josiah Slocum’s ‘Sailing Alone Around the World,’ and Chapman’s ‘Piloting, Seamanship, and Small Boat Handling.’ And what a tome that is! I emerged with a deep conviction that when the other boat is bigger than you are, get the heck out of the way!
Marianne Matthews
Chapman’s = Third Testament of the Bible!
I spent most of my 12th year in the “Marlinspike seamanship” section. (That’s why I really don’t have any friends now but can tie a Sheep-Shank in just a couple of seconds.)
N
SJS – WASP’s jack is visible, but her ensign is obscured by SPIRIT OF BERMUDA passing her port quarter.
wolfwalker – the big bark is the 1958 edition of GORCH FOCK. In the high-res version, you can just make out the German ensign at her stern (which makes me wonder if she isn’t stopped too – her starboard anchor is very near to the water.)
I believe in “B,” as violations of the Law of Gross Tonnage are likely to result in severe penalties and the usual vessel in which I go forth upon the waters displaces all of 17 tons. She does, however, have a steel hull. I fear no fiberglass contraption. Remember, if you can’t buy a boat, buy a Bayliner.n
This is by way of a P.S. What is the ‘danger quarter?’ My husband and I just looked in Chapman and we can’t find it.
Marianne Matthews
Cap’n,
Who mans the rail when at anchor?
All of the military vessels anchored in New York Harbor during the Bi-Centennial International Naval Review (admittedly before your time). We manned the rail for 3 hours, all while the various pleasure boaters kept coming alongside the fantail and handing over many cans of beer.
I was on the foc’sle.
I watched this “parade” form up at east Beach anchorage from my 2nd floor window. This is the 2007 Parade of sail for Harborfest/Jamestown 2007 celebration. Indeed it is Gorch Fock II. She spent the night previous anchored in the Little Creek approaches channel just off Buoy 2LC. Wasp is anchored at the typical reviewing station at Golf 3 or 4, Sewell’s Point Anchorage. Safest place to be in my opinion, USCG Master, any Gross tons, Oceans.
And danger quarter, or “danger side”; as relayed to me (a young master on his first “trick”) by a retired Master Mariner in Campbelltown, Scotland: Starboard side, analogous to the sector described by the arc of visibility of a starboard running light. Not coincidentally, where the master’s cabin is usually located (with a convenient port hole).
“…when the other boat is bigger than you are, get the heck out of the way!…”
Reminds me of the old joke about the Aircraft Carrier in the fog who radio’s another “vessel” to give the right of way. The “other vessel” continues to deny right of way. Aircraft Carrier gets all up in arms and states they are a US Naval Aircraft Carrier and to give the right of way. The other “vessel” says “We are a lighthouse, your call”.
Rule 9
Narrow Channels
(a) A vessel proceeding along the course of a narrow channel or fairway shall keep as near to the outer limit of the channel or fairway which lies on her starboard side as is safe and practicable.
(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.
(c) A vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of any other vessel navigating within a narrow passage or fairway.
(d) A vessel shall not cross a narrow passage or fairway if such crossing impedes the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within such channel or fairway. The latter vessel may use the sound signal prescribed in Rule 34(d) if in doubt as to the intention of the crossing vessel.
(e)
(i) In a narrow channel or fairway when overtaking can take place only when the vessel to be overtaken has to take action to permit safe passing, the vessel intending to overtake shall indicate her intention by sounding the appropriate signal prescribed in Rule 34(c)(i). The vessel to be overtaken shall, if in agreement, sound the appropriate signal prescribed in Rule 34(c)(ii) and take steps to permit safe passing. If in doubt she may sound the signals prescribed in Rule 34(d).
(ii) This rule does not relieve the overtaking vessel of her obligation under Rule 13.
(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).
(g) Any vessel shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid anchoring in a narrow channel.
This was my absolute “favorite” rule for entering San Diego Harbor.
Rules-of-thumb:
Never get into a pissing contest with someone bigger, who has more wheels, who has bigger lug-nuts, (like that one), or who is looking the other way.
The father of my best friend in high school was, at the time I knew him, a Bar Pilot in San Francisco. San Francisco Bay is a very tricky run for a big ship especially by Alcatraz. Once, while piloting a Japanese merchant ship into the bay, a large and fancy sail boat insisted on crossing too close across his bow. He dropped the anchor to help him slow, (as diesels just don’t have the torque for a meaningfull “full astern”), and it dropped right through the sail boat and sank it. The local newspapers remarked the next day that it was the first japanese naval victory in years. The captain was kidded about that by those who knew him until he died.
Damn, but I loved that old man.
If I’m commanding the ship most likely to sink in case of a collision, the other ship has teh right of way.
This reminded me of the movie Captain Ron: “Don’t worry she’l move. Learned that driving the Saratoga!!”
[...] Comment on Rules of the road quiz by Golf » Comment on Rules of â
I have a question. I know it was on my test, but I can’t find the answer.
Do sailboats of a certain length “have” to have “motors”?
If you could send answer directly to me at hawgalert@voyager.net.
Thanks in advance….