Headway Speed

[Airwaves]

Originally posted by Skip
6 MPH is 6 MPH
Quote:

It is 6 MPH. You are interpretating the law wrong.

Let's give another example. On many waterways in the State there are numerous signs indicating Headway Speed zones.

And what do those signs say?

They simply state "Headway Speed - 6 MPH".

They don't say "Headway Speed of 6 MPH or whatever minimum speed you need to maintain steerage".

They clearly state "6 MPH".

The additional language, as I will state for the final time, is to provide leeway for those craft that cannot maintain steerage at 6 MPH.

And it's as simple as that!

If you use Airwave's logic, that it is speed allowable to maintain steerage up to 6 MPH, then my good friend's Egg Harbor could never navigate many NH waterways legally, as he cannot maintain steerage under most conditions unless he is several MPH above 6.

It's interesting that we are debating how SLOW you can go!

Headway speed is NOT 6 MPH.

Headway speed is "...the slowest speed that a boat can be operated and maintain steerage way."
You are correct that the additional language in the law is provided for vessels that headway speed is not 6 MPH...UP OR DOWN!

To be truthful with you, I have never seen signs on Winnipesaukee or the other NH waterways that I have boated on that state "HEADWAY SPEED - 6MPH". The signs I have seen say "NO WAKE" but it doesn't matter since under NH law they mean one and the same.

As you have pointed out on any number of occasions during various debates, just because a boating booklet, on in this case a sign, does or does not say "Headway Speed - 6 MPH" it is only a guide. The RSA is the LAW.

You misunderstand my interpretation of the law if you think that I say your friend with the Egg Harbor is violating the law by going headway speed at 9 MPH. Certainly not! If the Egg Harbor can not maintain steerage at a speed below 9 mhp then the speed that the Egg Harbor CAN MAINTAIN STEERAGE is the Egg Harbor's headway speed.

If on the other hand a boat, say a displacement hull with twin screws and bow and stern thrusters, can maintain steerage at under 6 MPH then whatever that speed below 6 mph is, that is the vessel's headway speed.

A displacement hull boat traveling at 6 mph can certainly kick up an impressive wake!

The law was written to make sure that boats are operated at the slowest possible speed when required to go headway speed in order to leave the least possible wake.

The original question by jrc was:
If my boat can maintain steerage way at 3 MPH can I legally do 6 MPH in a No Wake Zone?

If my boat must do 9 MPH to maintain steerage way, can I legally do 9 MPH in a NWZ?

The short answer is No and Yes.

What is so hard about this?