Introduction:
For countless people across the globe, being on the water is pure joy. But enjoying a vessel’s company in the water demands something else: the steadfast avoidance of a collision with another vessel. Marine crashes can and do injure and kill people, harm and destroy property, and degrade the environment in ways that are sometimes far from the pleasure of a boat. Understanding how to steer clear of other boats and not run aground is surely something anyone who enjoys being on the water should understand—indeed, with pleasure comes the necessity of responsibility.
Understanding the maritime navigation rules:
The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) give essential boating safety information to people aboard vessels of any kind. When these rules are followed, accidents tend to be avoided. The COLREGs are not only for the safety of commercial vessels; they also apply to all kinds of recreational vessels, including power and sail boats and ships of any size. One of the most important elements of the rules is the lookout, which is almost like the pre-accident safety device found in vehicles. The rules say that every vessel must have an assigned lookout that is using both sight and hearing in order to detect other vessels and significant navigational obstacles in a timely manner.
Ensuring vessels are operated at a safe speed is very important. Operators are responsible for being able to take correct and effective actions in an emergency situation, and what an operator can do in an emergency is directly impacted by how fast the vessel is going. Some factors that influence safe speed are visibility, traffic density, the maneuverability of the vessel, and weather conditions. A good rule of thumb is to slow down in narrow channels and congested areas. Knowing and understanding the different navigation lights is vital, especially in the dark or in conditions of poor visibility. The types of lights a vessel has and their arrangement tells you a lot about the kind of vessel you are looking at and what it is doing. For instance, a power-driven vessel that is “underway” typically shows a white masthead light, sidelights, and a stern light. Recognizing these lights can help operators avoid collisions.
Vessel Right of Way:
Understanding Priority
Colleges and Law Schools Vessel right of way is a maritime “traffic law” that helps to avoid collisions between boats and ships. We usually think of it as something that is determined by either the power of the boat or the number of sails the boat carries. Here’s how that works, in a nutshell:
- A power-driven vessel must give way to a vessel under sail.
- When two power-driven vessels are crossing paths, the vessel on the starboard side has the right of way.
- In a head-on situation, both vessels must alter course to the starboard side.
For some reason, International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations for maritime navigation only seem to be taught in law and business courses at the University of Chicago. That’s a shame, because avoiding collisions at sea is very important to our global economy, and it also constitutes rather serious law and order issues.
Communication and signaling:
Inn numerous situations that put boats in danger of colliding, clear communication can significantly enhance safety. All mariners should know the fundamentals about sound signaling devices and the wisdom of using them in normal visibility, not just in reduced visibility.
For instance, if you’re in a powerboat and you see that the vessel to your right is going to pass you (and its helmsman can’t possibly know you’re also intending to turn, which you are), you use one short blast to indicate the intention to turn to starboard (your right) instead of two short blasts, which would indicate you’re turning to port (your left).
Utilizing technology:
The modern world is filled with diverse and sophisticated technologies, which are used for an almost unfathomable number of tasks. Yet, even in today’s computational era, the age-old problem of safe navigation at sea remains largely unsolved. Millions of boaters venture onto waterways every summer, and doing so would be positively dangerous if it weren’t for the many tools and devices that seriously reduce the chances of running into trouble. Chief among these are radar, a system used predominantly by larger vessels but also found in some smaller recreational craft; AIS, more commonly found on larger commercial kayaks; and chart plotters and GPS, which replace the boating Bible—an assortment of paper charts an intrepid mariner might have used in the past. Each of these systems has its own benefits and limitations; taken together, they represent the next best thing to clear nights and friendly stars.
Practicing Good Seamanship:
Making informed judgments and displaying sound leadership while on the water can help reduce the likelihood of collisions and is at the heart of good seamanship. Here are four practices to consider:
- Staying Alert: While operators do have some latitude in choosing their steering and throttle settings, the sensible operator knows when to be a little more hands-on and when to be a little more watchful. If someone has only a single watch to keep on a 12-hour cycle, it’s likely that they are just wearing their watch when they’re on the water and not being very hands-on. Watch your surroundings and stay alert in much the same way you would on a road trip.
- Planning Ahead: Just as you would map out a road trip, it is prudent to have a firm waterside plan that takes into account certain conditions. These include potential hazards, traffic patterns, and things like weather and the time of day.
Emergency Response Guide
The reality is that no amount of planning can prevent accidents. If you find that a collision is inevitable, here’s what to do in the seconds you have left:
- Assess your options: See if you can do something—anything—that might change the outcome. Can you steer around the other vessel? Can you speed up or slow down to change the moment of impact? Can you throw the anchor to stop or slow forward motion? Try to see if there is a way to alter the course of your boat or the other vessel.
- Use your horn: If the other vessel is within earshot, use the horn to warn them and let them know that you are both going to hit unless something immediate is done.
- Get ready for the impact: If the collision can’t be avoided, think about which side of the boat is going to take the hit and brace yourself for that part of the boat to sea. Either side will have its dangers since each side contains parts of the boat that, when hit, will cause a lot of injury to a person. Cover your head as best you can with an arm or with any other part of your body that you can make limp or soft in the moment.
Conclusion:
The sea can have truly dreadful results, but boaters can take steps to drastically reduce the danger. To cut the chance of a run-in with another vessel, stick to the rules laid down in the Colregs (the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea). The Colregs are followed not only in the United States but also in most other countries. They are a key part of safe navigation and help boaters understand “who has the right of way and ‘when to give way.