Recreational Boating Safety – Rules of the Road to Avoid Collisions at Sea

By Bob Currie, Vessel Examiner
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 081-06-08
Flotilla 081-06-08 is based at Coast Guard Station Galveston. The Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed civilian component of the US Coast Guard and supports the Coast Guard in nearly all mission areas. The Auxiliary was created by Congress in 1939. For more information, please visit www.cgaux.org.

We have been discussing boating accidents in the last few columns. Recreational boat operators have a tremendous responsibility to themselves, their passengers, and other boats on the water. The most important things you can do to be a safe boater are:

  • Take a Safe Boating Course
  • Equip your boat with the necessary safety items
  • Always wear a life jacket
  • Get a free Vessel Safety Check
  • Always file a Float Plan
  • Know what to do in case of an emergency
  • Remember that alcohol and boating do not mix

In addition to the above, safe boating requires adherence to the Rules of the Road. Last week concerned Rule 5 of the Inland Navigation Rules and the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS). Rule 5 is the Post a Lookout rule. Inland Rules apply to vessels operating inside the line of demarcation, while International Rules apply outside the line. Demarcation lines are printed on most navigational charts and are printed in the Navigation Rules book. In our area, the line of demarcation runs from Galveston North Jetty Light 6A to Galveston South Jetty Light 5A. In other words, you are governed by International Rules once outside the jetties. This week we will discuss Rule 6, the Safe Speed Rule, and Rule 8, Actions to Avoid a Collision.

Rule 6: Safe Speed
Except where speed is restricted by regulation or the waterway is marked by a “No Wake” or “Slow Speed” aid, you must judge “safe speed” for yourself. You must take into account the following:

  • Visibility
  • Vessel traffic
  • Your boat’s ability to maneuver
  • Background lighting at night
  • Draft in relation to depth of water
  • Weather Conditions (including wind, sea, current and proximity to hazards)

One of my neighbors related a story to me about navigating up the Intracoastal Waterway just before daybreak. He had a lookout on the bow, and they were looking for a certain beacon where they planned to fish. Just as my neighbor noted some navigation lights ahead, his lookout yelled for him to make a sharp turn to the bank. He did, and just barely missed running into the side of a barge tow that had been pushed against the bank.

Rules of the Road to Avoid Collisions at Sea

Rule 8: Actions to Avoid a Collision
Below are excerpts from the first five sections of Rule 8:

(a) Any action taken shall be positive, made in ample time and with due regard to the observance of good seamanship.

(b) Any alteration of course and/or speed to avoid collision shall be large enough to be readily apparent to another vessel observing visually or by radar; a succession of small alterations of course and/or speed should be avoided.

(c) If there is sufficient sea room, alteration of course alone may be the most effective action to avoid a close-quarters situation provided that it is made in good time, is substantial and does not result in another close-quarters situation.

(d) Action taken to avoid collision with another vessel shall be such as to result in passing at a safe distance. The effectiveness of the action shall be carefully checked until the other vessel is finally past and clear.

(e) If necessary to avoid collision or allow more time to assess the situation, a vessel shall slacken her speed or take all way off by stopping or reversing her means of propulsion.

Taken together, Rules 5 (Post a Lookout), 6 (Safe Speed), and 8 (Actions to Avoid a Collision) offer a good mantra to live by on the water. While we signal our intentions with turn indicators when driving, we signal our intentions on the water by the use of the horn, by making course changes early and by exaggerating the course changes so that our intentions are obvious to other boaters. Special care should be taken in marinas, when entering bays through narrow channels, and when navigating across shipping lanes. In addition to the methods mentioned above, a good marine radio can be helpful when meeting or passing other vessels. The bridge to bridge VHF-FM marine channel in our area is channel 13.

Before your next trip out onto the water, review the Rules of the Road, which can be found on your Coast Guard app on your smart phone. The Coast Guard app is the download that can save your life.

Special Request from Private Ramp Owners
Please be sure to pay the ramp fees at private ramps. Although there are some public boat ramps on the peninsula, some of the more popular ramps are privately owned. The ramp owners pay taxes on their ramps and have other costs associated with owning a ramp such as parking lot maintenance and dock maintenance, so they have a small launch fee to help offset those costs. Even if the bait shops associated with those ramps are closed, the private ramps have lock boxes where you can deposit your launch fee.

For more information on boating safety, please visit the Official Website of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Division at www.uscgboating.org. Questions about the US Coast Guard Auxiliary or our free Vessel Safety Check program may be directed to me at [email protected]. I am available to perform free Vessel Safety Checks, and I will come to your location to perform them. SAFE BOATING!

[3-6-2018]

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