|
Home | Forums | Gallery | Webcams | Blogs | YouTube Channel | Classifieds | Calendar | Register | FAQ | Donate | Members List | Today's Posts | Search |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
06-25-2020, 11:48 AM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 753
Thanks: 59
Thanked 271 Times in 129 Posts
|
Who has the Right Of Way
I read a post on another Winnipesaukee forum where the writer was describing how he was towing a skier this past weekend and another boat coming from his right did not give way to him and he even went so far as to chase the offending boater down and yelled at him for not understanding the ROW rules.
Left me scratching my head. I have never thought a boat pulling (not towing!) a skier or tuber suddenly gets the ROW no matter what. I think there is confusion about when a boat that is TOWING something — like another boat or a barge, etc. such that ITS NAVIGATION ABILITY is limited — where that boat does have the ROW. Realistically, those boats are probably not going fast either. A boat with a skier behind it going 30+ mph does not have any limitations on it’s ability to navigate and hence is subject to all the usual ROW rule. A boat crossing from the Right (starboard) side is the stand on boat and the ski boat has the obligation to give way. Moreover, I would argue that the ski boat has an even higher obligation to maintain a strong watch and to make conservative decisions to avoid dangerous crossing situations which could also put the skier at risk. And of course common sense says to drive your boat in a way to minimize the risk of collision regardless of who is right. I looked in the NH boating safety handbook and did not see this specific topic addressed. Educated me! |
The Following User Says Thank You to Mink Islander For This Useful Post: | ||
Jdarby (06-25-2020) |
06-25-2020, 11:53 AM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 109
Thanks: 6
Thanked 21 Times in 18 Posts
|
Who has the Right Of Way
In crossing situations Vessel on your right has the right of way. At night, you will see their red or green sidelight. Red light stop. Green light go.
I would also expect the ski boat to avoid traffic as best as possible. That being said, I would steer clear of a skier for good measure. Even if I have right of way and I’m aiming to pass behind the skier...that skier could fall in the wake ... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to persistence For This Useful Post: | ||
Loub52 (06-25-2020), Mink Islander (06-25-2020) |
06-25-2020, 12:33 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Long Island
Posts: 170
Thanks: 137
Thanked 106 Times in 52 Posts
|
I think some people think that ROW has to do with the size of their boat! I experienced that a couple of times last weekend. Even though I had the ROW, two different larger cruisers refused to yield to my 20 footer. The size of your boat gives you no more or less rights when it comes to enjoying the lake!
Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app |
The Following User Says Thank You to Jdarby For This Useful Post: | ||
erick26 (07-04-2020) |
06-25-2020, 12:47 PM | #4 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,090
Thanks: 1,157
Thanked 2,011 Times in 1,239 Posts
|
Quote:
Ultimately, like in The Graveyard discussion and so many others, I find myself just pausing and letting things go—a tactic that has served me well on MA highways for two decades—and educating whenever possible. Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app |
|
The Following User Says Thank You to thinkxingu For This Useful Post: | ||
Mink Islander (06-25-2020) |
06-25-2020, 01:22 PM | #5 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Merrimack and Welch Island
Posts: 4,188
Thanks: 1,274
Thanked 1,568 Times in 1,018 Posts
|
Quote:
|
|
Sponsored Links |
|
06-25-2020, 02:37 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Tilton/Paugus Bay
Posts: 234
Thanks: 13
Thanked 61 Times in 43 Posts
|
Amen.
Especially crossing open areas like north of Witches and you got boats coming from every direction at you. I got tired of playing the 'Which way is that idiot going to cut me off' game.... Now if I turn to the right and he turns to intercept me,, I just drop the throttle and shake my head. Safer that way. |
The Following User Says Thank You to Patofnaud For This Useful Post: | ||
erick26 (07-04-2020) |
06-25-2020, 04:34 PM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Laconia NH
Posts: 5,547
Thanks: 3,160
Thanked 1,094 Times in 788 Posts
|
Since it happened on a weekend, enough said.
__________________
Someday may never be an actual day. |
06-25-2020, 06:21 PM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Ice in = CT / Ice out = Winnipesaukee
Posts: 459
Thanks: 123
Thanked 279 Times in 147 Posts
|
Water rage
Quite frankly Think, this tactic may also be what has kept you alive. When your blood starts to boil, it's time to calm down and think rationally. Lot's of crazies on the road and a fair percentage on the water too.
|
06-25-2020, 06:34 PM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Ice in = CT / Ice out = Winnipesaukee
Posts: 459
Thanks: 123
Thanked 279 Times in 147 Posts
|
Also keep in mind
In tune with my 'think rationally' comment above, remember that there are also many perfectly responsible individuals on the water that just happen to be new to boating. I've learned some lessons of my own and I've been shouted and glared at. I learned from these experiences and it's given me a greater understanding when seeing the mistakes of others.
A little bit of patience goes a long way. |
06-25-2020, 06:45 PM | #10 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,090
Thanks: 1,157
Thanked 2,011 Times in 1,239 Posts
|
Quote:
Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app |
|
06-25-2020, 07:53 PM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,052
Thanks: 63
Thanked 715 Times in 466 Posts
|
To answer the question as stated:
NOBODY If you ask the question "In a crossing situation, which vessel must stand on and which must give way?" The answer is the vessel which approaches from the starboard side is the stand on vessel. The reason that neither vessel has the "right of way" is to avoid collisions. Unless there is certainty that no possibility of collision exists, the captain of each vessel must take action to avoid a collision. It starts with the "stand on / give way" rules but it does not end there. In the case cited above the vessel coming from the starboard side was supposed to stand on. The vessel towing the skier was supposed to give way. If they had collided, both would have responsibility, |
The Following User Says Thank You to 8gv For This Useful Post: | ||
MungoMaxwell (07-19-2020) |
06-26-2020, 07:09 AM | #12 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,980
Thanks: 246
Thanked 739 Times in 440 Posts
|
Quote:
This sounds like a good idea, but it's not what you are supposed to do and can make matters worse. The stand-on vessel is supposed to maintain course and speed unless it cannot safely do so. When I am operating the give-way vessel, I am counting on the the stand-on captain to maintain course and speed and I will adjust my course and/or speed to avoid a collision course. If the stand-on captain does the same thing, they can easily put us back on a collision course. I recently put a Garmin Fantom 24" radar on my boat and has a slick feature that automatically paints targets on the screen that are moving toward me a different color than targets that are moving away from me. It's super handy for keeping track of boats in a busy area, especially in poor visibility conditions. It's MUCH easier and ten times faster to ascertain what's going on around me with it than my old radar was. If you are in the market for radar, it's worth a look. |
|
06-26-2020, 07:21 AM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Thornton's Ferry
Posts: 1,297
Thanks: 67
Thanked 166 Times in 126 Posts
|
Regardless of RoR
Reckless endangerment might apply. And, stupidity. |
06-26-2020, 09:17 AM | #14 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Merrimack and Welch Island
Posts: 4,188
Thanks: 1,274
Thanked 1,568 Times in 1,018 Posts
|
Quote:
|
|
06-26-2020, 03:19 PM | #15 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 346
Thanks: 3
Thanked 70 Times in 47 Posts
|
Row
Quote:
|
|
06-25-2020, 07:55 PM | #16 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Laconia, NH
Posts: 11
Thanks: 14
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
|
What I have told my kids and others when driving is keep your head on a swivel and assume the others think they have the right away. Do that and you stay safe and sound and no one gets hurt or worse.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
The Following User Says Thank You to GUD 2 GO! For This Useful Post: | ||
erick26 (07-04-2020) |
06-26-2020, 11:53 AM | #17 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Bear Island/Merrimack
Posts: 787
Thanks: 58
Thanked 197 Times in 125 Posts
|
I agree. Even when you know you have the ROW there's a high probability that the other guy doesn't know it. Best option is to just yield. And try to wave with all your fingers and not just one.
|
06-26-2020, 02:54 PM | #18 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 333
Thanks: 0
Thanked 242 Times in 81 Posts
|
When I was in Coast Guard OCS, we learned that it was preferable NOT to have the right-of-way [ROW]. This was because you never know whether the other bozo knows the rules-of-the-road, especially if the co-pilot is scantily-clad.
However, the vessel with ROW is obligated to maintain course and speed unless a collision is imminent. This gives the other vessel knowledge of the ROW's intentions so that other vessel can maneuver around the ROW vessel. As for the O.P.: One factor in determining right-of-way [ROW] is maneuverability. Less maneuverable boats usually have ROW. This is why sailboats usually have ROW over motorized boats. Vessels with tow have the ROW over ordinary boats. Whether a waterskiier in tow qualifies may be a debated matter . |
The Following User Says Thank You to Bizer For This Useful Post: | ||
BroadHopper (07-01-2020) |
06-26-2020, 04:04 PM | #19 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 656
Thanks: 315
Thanked 246 Times in 145 Posts
|
Quote:
I practice that while driving in the car too. If coming up to a 4 way stop and it appears me and another car will get there at the same time I'll slow down a little to make it very clear the other guy got there first. Odds are whoever it is will not know or follow the rules and it's just easier that way. |
|
06-27-2020, 08:10 PM | #20 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Cape Cod
Posts: 214
Thanks: 226
Thanked 36 Times in 20 Posts
|
In post # 2, persistence said,
"In crossing situations Vessel on your right has the right of way. At night, you will see their red or green sidelight. Red light stop. Green light go." A couple of posts seemed to indicate the opposite is correct. Just to confirm, I believe persistence is correct- red light means stop (or, more accurately- give way). |
06-27-2020, 10:45 PM | #21 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 962
Thanks: 495
Thanked 273 Times in 174 Posts
|
Be Prepared
While coming into the mainland from Bear Island, we saw a small (about 15') boat approaching well ahead of us from our port. We held our course as it was apparent that this small craft would be well beyond our path of travel. It stopped suddenly in our course, We slowed and altered our course well astern on the stopped boat. No near miss or anything like that. The boat had several young "captains" enjoying a morning outing. The outboard motor was no more than 25 HP thus all was legal. So, caution, you may encounter a variety of situations as you cruise on our beautiful lake. 🐻
|
06-30-2020, 05:58 AM | #22 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,980
Thanks: 246
Thanked 739 Times in 440 Posts
|
I never really thought about it that way, but you made me realize that I also prefer to be the give-way captain in crossing situations for the same reason. I usually make my course correction early enough that I suspect most stand-on captains never even realize there was a collision course at any point.
|
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Dave R For This Useful Post: | ||
BroadHopper (07-01-2020), VitaBene (06-30-2020) |
06-30-2020, 09:30 AM | #23 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Merrimack and Welch Island
Posts: 4,188
Thanks: 1,274
Thanked 1,568 Times in 1,018 Posts
|
Right
Quote:
|
|
06-30-2020, 03:23 PM | #24 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 346
Thanks: 3
Thanked 70 Times in 47 Posts
|
Row
Coming out from the end of Stonedam Island with Stonedam on the right headed towards Governors Island in the afternoon, this past weekend, 2 jet skis, a 25' bowrider and a pontoon boat all approaching from my port, so I have the ROW, not one would give way to me, I slowed but still on plane to allow the jetskis to pass, the bowrider was also not giving way so altered course and speed just enough so bowrider could also pass. To hell with the pontoon boat, continued on my course and forced them to slow and go behind me, they appeared to give me the sarcastic wave like I was the A-hole. It was never unsafe or imminent that there would be a collision, I would never do that, but this was so ridiculous. 4 vessels not giving way. Nice to see the boater education cert is working.
|
06-30-2020, 08:12 PM | #25 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: In the hills
Posts: 2,395
Thanks: 1,644
Thanked 776 Times in 465 Posts
|
Quote:
|
|
06-30-2020, 08:15 PM | #26 |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 42
Thanks: 0
Thanked 23 Times in 12 Posts
|
Last Saturday morning around 9:30 we were just about at the no wake buoy right off Pine Island. We were doing about 3 to 4 miles per hour at this point and we see this center console coming around the North East side of Bear Island, on plane. He cuts across our bow, maybe 100 yards or so and then turns towards us and slows down and then stops. We go by him and he's staring at me like I have two heads and I am staring at him like what the F was that??? He yells PORT to PORT A--hole. I’m like really, you needed to cross over 800 yards of open entrance between Bear and Pine just to pass me, Port to Port???? Really??
|
06-30-2020, 09:06 PM | #27 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Milford, NH
Posts: 160
Thanks: 43
Thanked 16 Times in 14 Posts
|
Too may capt boneheads out there
After reading all these post I'm definitely not sailing on weekends anymore. Weekdays are much quieter.
|
06-30-2020, 09:07 PM | #28 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,052
Thanks: 63
Thanked 715 Times in 466 Posts
|
Quote:
Type "Meeting" in the search line and look for page 157. I often pass Stbd to Stbd when there is adequate clearance as noted in the book. Did this start as a meeting situation or was he first crossing from your port? No matter how egregious I think another boater's rule breaking appears to be, I back off. No doubt I have given others cause for concern in my boating career. https://books.google.com/books/about...d=gOLEhDB0vzgC |
|
07-01-2020, 07:20 AM | #29 | |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 42
Thanks: 0
Thanked 23 Times in 12 Posts
|
Quote:
|
|
07-01-2020, 09:36 AM | #30 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,052
Thanks: 63
Thanked 715 Times in 466 Posts
|
I concur. He might not understand that there's a better way available within the rules.
|
06-30-2020, 09:45 PM | #31 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Ice in = CT / Ice out = Winnipesaukee
Posts: 459
Thanks: 123
Thanked 279 Times in 147 Posts
|
Quote:
|
|
Bookmarks |
|
|