Boat right of ways

[pikefisherman]

In the case of two power boats one a small fishing boat the other a larger power boat going 50 mph who is suppose to yield for who, I think if you have lines out, is the boat with out lines supposed to yield.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Boat right of ways

i would be interested to see what people have to say here. I would go with boat in channel has right of way. Commercial vessels always win and then I would go by who is biggest. I usailly point to the rear right of the vessel to show my intentions. As for getting mad I figure the people on the ICW know more than me so I follow their lead on the lake everyone is an idiot so I just try to not get hit. On the lake I always yeald to a boat pulling a skier or tuber

 

[Downforce6]

Re: Boat right of ways

In the case of two power boats one a small fishing boat the other a larger power boat going 50 mph who is suppose to yield for who, I think if you have lines out, is the boat with out lines supposed to yield.

I think it mostly depends on if the fishing lines are restricting maneuverability of the small fishing boat. If not, general rules apply.

 

[airshot]

Re: Boat right of ways

Here in Ohio you are supposed to stay away from a boat at anchor (fishing) by 500 ft. Unfortunately not many follow the rules and it is hard for the authorities to prove and sight anyone. There is an older gent that uses a trick on his small boat.....he carries a paintball gun with him. It only shoots about 100 ft or so, when boats come speeding past him he opens fire with the paintball gun that is loaded with various colors of balls. He remembers the color scheme that hit the boat and calls the local sherriff or CG and flies a complaint. They look for the boat with the paint ball splatter in the order he gives them and citations have been issued. Remember the gun only shoots at 100 ft so they have to be closer than the 500 to get hit. He claims that after using this a few times now they leave him alone.

Airshot

 

[NYBo]

Re: Boat right of ways

Having fishing lines in the water does not give you precedence; the "engaged in fishing" part of the regs applies to those methods that restrict maneuverability, as Downforce noted. Just because you might lose your terminal tackle if you were to change course doesn't qualify.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Boat right of ways

For those who have never taken a Boating Safety Course, HERE is the Section.

For those that have, maybe a refresher is needed.:joyous:


The unwritten "Rule of Tonnages" often trumps all.
Unless you insist on being "Dead" Right!

 

[southkogs]

Re: Boat right of ways

...The unwritten "Rule of Tonnages" often trumps all.

No kiddin' ... there are times when you just need to decide, "I don't have to be THAT right."

Assuming that the fishing boat is in motion, most likely the faster boat will be overtaking and become the burdened vessel. That's my fast answer.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Boat right of ways

Here in Ohio you are supposed to stay away from a boat at anchor (fishing) by 500 ft. Unfortunately not many follow the rules and it is hard for the authorities to prove and sight anyone. There is an older gent that uses a trick on his small boat.....he carries a paintball gun with him. It only shoots about 100 ft or so, when boats come speeding past him he opens fire with the paintball gun that is loaded with various colors of balls. He remembers the color scheme that hit the boat and calls the local sherriff or CG and flies a complaint. They look for the boat with the paint ball splatter in the order he gives them and citations have been issued. Remember the gun only shoots at 100 ft so they have to be closer than the 500 to get hit. He claims that after using this a few times now they leave him alone.

At least per Ohio administrative code, there is no 500 nor 100 foot rule. Even more importantly, it specifically excludes recreational fisherman who are trolling, they are not considered as engaging in fishing unless they have gear down that restricts the boats capability. (nets, draglines, etc...)

Anyway though, I HIGHLY doubt the story... A), aiming (not even shooting) a paintball gun at someone is brandishing a weapon, period. That is a fairly serious crime. Yes, paintball guns are full fledged weapons in the legal sense, doesn't make a difference if its a .50 cal rifle or a .68 cal paintball gun. And B), fisherman don't get an exclusion zone around them in ANY state. Most states do hint at a no-wake zone, but ohio doesn't even mention that.

Personally if someone aims and fires a paintball gun at me while boating, it won't turn out well. I am a concealed carry permit holder, and someone aiming and firing a weapon at me is more than enough justification to defend myself. I've seen some some decent injuries from paintball, and if you catch one in the face without a mask, it could mean death. I can only assume that someone who is leveling a gun at me and pulling the trigger is meaning to do harm.

Lastly, as a person who plays LOTS of paintball, the part about it only shooting 100 feet is completely made up. If you shoot paint at less than around 200 feet per second, the paint won't break when it hits, it just bounces right off. If you are above 200 fps or so, it will easily shoot more than 100 ft. (to go 100 feet you probably would be in the 100 fps range max, which is 68 mph.)

Lawriter - OAC

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: Boat right of ways

You know those little red and green lights on your boat? They actually MEAN something. But the boating safety course is the answer.

 

[Ned L]

Re: Boat right of ways

The only thing that can be said with certainty about your scenario is that you have not provided enough information to make any statement regarding correct maneuvering for either boat.
Under COLREGS
1) Speed and size are irrelevant (unless the size is to the point that it restricts the ability to maneuver - like 150'+)
2) "Lines out" has no bearing for a small recreational boat

3) And MOST important…… NO vessel has "the right of way". One vessel is obligated to change course and speed, and the other vessel is equally obligated to maintain course and speed.
If the vessel that is obligated to maintain course and speed arbitrarily decides to take that attitude that "I am a small boat and I will get out of the other boat’s way” then the guy running the burdened vessel can’t figure out what he can properly do to avoid a problem. --It can be a real pain in the @%*$ for commercial vessel operators to have small pleasure boats doing "whatever the @#%$ they want to" in the idea that they are getting out of the way of the larger commercial vessels - even when the pleasure boats are supposed to hold course and speed. The larger commercial vessel may have made a significant change in course and/or speed 30 seconds, a minute, or even more before the pleasure boat can see something happening. This leaves the guy on the bridge of the commercial vessel wondering "ok, now what do I do, that guy in the little boat just jumped right in the way of where I will be headed two minutes from now".

YES, you need to take some courses.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Boat right of ways

In the case of two power boats one a small fishing boat the other a larger power boat going 50 mph who is suppose to yield for who, I think if you have lines out, is the boat with out lines supposed to yield.

Ayuh,.... You troll at 50 mph,..?? I usually troll at 1 mph or maybe 2 mph....

NYState has a 100' No wake zone around Anything, 'n Everything....

 

[salty87]

Re: Boat right of ways

NYState has a 100' No wake zone around Anything, 'n Everything....

furthermore, no one has the 'right of way' to contact another vessel. following the regs should make this happen but in the event it does not then you weren't in the 'right'.

 

[Outsider]

Re: Boat right of ways

You know those little red and green lights on your boat? They actually MEAN something.

You know that little white light? It MEANS something, too. Now, with that established, if any of the three just had any relevance to the question ... :faint2:

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Boat right of ways

Ned L has the best answer.

Since I boat in a busy harbor (and one where the gray ships get to use deadly force on those who don't know the rules) I deal with all kinds of seemingly conflicting rules about sail v motor, in channel v out, motoring v drifting v anchored, passing through v along bridges, fishing v not, large commercial v recreational. And then there are customs about fishing the bridges that are unwritten but like the ramp rules you lake boaters need to know.

What is takes is a head on a swivel: be aware, be informed and be definite.

As someone said, it's all about one boat maintaining course and another altering. So if I am going to make a move (esp at night when the lights matter) the first move is a hard turn to signal my intentions, then I may ease back to a slightly altered state.

I use the radio to tell the commercial guys what I'm doing ("victory rover this is white center console I will pass you on your starboard"). Whistle/horn signals for approaching/passing are worthless in the real world.

Most recreational boaters don't know to pass port to port so often I have to let two wrongs make a right to avoid a grounding or collision. Again, the intentional move is important. And I always make eye contact with the driver.

I have several friends who are harbor pilots and they can tell some tales. I work the harbnor safety patrol on my boat for Harborfest and have seen all kinds, too. But the best I heard on the radio once was: "white sailboat trying to cross the channel, this is inbound container ship K-line. Don't try it. You aren't going to make it."

That's called right of weight.

 

[coolbri70]

Re: Boat right of ways

You know those little red and green lights on your boat? They actually MEAN something. But the boating safety course is the answer.

mine is red and blue, its original and I like it wonder if I will get hassled? where I boat on the river its sort of like the interstate on a busy day, but with vehicles parked in the median and shoulder:facepalm: just stay clear of hitting other boats or getting hit. I take a defensive attitude and expect the other guy to do anything, nothing would surprise me

 

[Ned L]

Re: Boat right of ways

furthermore, no one has the 'right of way' to contact another vessel. following the regs should make this happen but in the event it does not then you weren't in the 'right'.

--- Ehh, ... Not quite sure what you are saying here, but something I didn't say above is that COLREGS does go on to state that even as the "stand on vessel" you are obligated to take whatever action is required to avoid a collision at such time that it becomes apparent that action on your part will be required to avoid a collision. So ultimately if there is a collision it is BOTH vessels fault.

 

[pikefisherman]

Re: Boat right of ways

Sorry for the misunderstanding ,but I sometimes fish in rivers 100 yards or less If I am trolling and here coms a speed boat I guess I steer hard to port and hope he dose the same Right?
By the way is their a class on line for rules or where would I look. I fish smaller lakes and rivers.

 

[Downforce6]

Re: Boat right of ways

Sorry for the misunderstanding ,but I sometimes fish in rivers 100 yards or less If I am trolling and here coms a speed boat I guess I steer hard to port and hope he dose the same Right?
By the way is their a class on line for rules or where would I look. I fish smaller lakes and rivers.

Bud, if your approaching another boat head on, you turn to starboard (right- side).

Navigation Rules Online

 

[Bondo]

Re: Boat right of ways

Sorry for the misunderstanding ,but I sometimes fish in rivers 100 yards or less If I am trolling and here coms a speed boat I guess I steer hard to port and hope he dose the same Right?
By the way is their a class on line for rules or where would I look. I fish smaller lakes and rivers.

Ayuh,.... Personally, in that case, I'd turn towards the nearest shore, if the water allowed....
Just move over, 'n give the speedboat the center...

'n ya oughta be able to find a course, 'n allota other info, in here...

 

[Ned L]

Re: Boat right of ways

"I guess I steer hard to port and hope he does the same Right". .... Still can't comment, and my inclination is that it may not be correct. Speed of the other boat really is not a factor.
Good for you H.C.! Commercial traffic does appreciate that. I grew up doing a lot of boating in NY harbor & they appreciate it there too. Today I mostly have fun with my retired race boat that does a good bit more than 50, and YES I do obay the 'rules of the road'. It does thinking ahead and understanding the situations