Goddard Sailing Association� Laguna 26�Cruiser Qualification Course�version 7

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GSA Cruiser Qualification Course

Part Three – Rules of the Road

And Emergency Procedures

Rules of the Road Overview

• Where it comes from - “Chart 1”
• http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/navrules/rotr_online.htm
• (Navigation Rules On Line)
• In the Chesapeake Bay “Inland Rules” apply
• (Note – USA is the only country that has separate rules for inland waterways – not much different from international rules)
• For today:
• Review rules of the road under sail
• Rules of the road under power

General Right of Way Rules

Priority based on ability to maneuver:

1. Vessels not under command

Anchored, aground, disabled

2. Vessels restricted in ability to maneuver

• Ships turn and stop slowly
• Often have to stay in narrow deep channels
• Have limited visibility forward
• Law of gross tonnage!
• Vessels engaged in Fishing
• (but not all fishing vessels)
• Vessels under sail
• Power driven vessels

Rules of the Road Under Sail�Opposite Tacks

Port Tack

Is “Give Way Vessel”

(must keep clear)

Starboard Tack

is “Stand On Vessel”

(has right of way –

But must maintain

course and speed)

Note: The “Stand On Vessel” formerly was called the “Privileged Vessel” – but this might have implied that this vessel had no responsibilities (rather than being required to maintain course and speed).

Rules of the Road Under Sail (2)�Boats on the same tack

Windward boat – gives way

Leeward boat – stands on

Rules of the Road Under Sail (3)�Overtaking

Boat overtaking Gives way

(even if to leeward or the

other boat is under power)

Boat being overtaken

Stands on

Rules of the Road Under Power� Crossing situations

Boat held to port gives way

Boat held to starboard

Stands on

Rules of the Road Under Power (2)� Meeting situations

• Neither boat is privileged
• Preferred passage is port to port (i.e., keep to the right)
• Sound 1 short blast to propose port to port passage
• Sound 2 short blasts to propose starboard to starboard passage
• Respond with the same signal to accept the proposed passage
• OR sound 5 short blasts to disagree
• follow with opposite signal
• Boat to boat: channel 13
• Tugs known to speak “One whistle”

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Rules of the Road Under Power (3)� Overtaking situations

Boat being overtaken

stands on

Boat overtaking

keeps clear

Rules of the Road - Miscellaneous

• General Prudential Rule
• You have an obligation to do your utmost to avoid collision, even if you have right of way under the rules.
• Even if racing
• Naval Vessels
• Operate at low speeds within 500 yards
• DO NOT APPROACH CLOSER THAN 100 YARDS!!

Determining if there is a collision hazard

• Assuming both boats stay on a constant heading:
• If the relative bearing to the other boat stays constant, a collision hazard exists.
• If the relative bearing to the other boat moves aft, you will pass in front
• If the relative bearing to the other boat moves forward, you will pass behind

1: Relative bearing = 330°

2: Relative bearing = 330° (still)

A short time later…

Emergency Procedures

• Fire
• Flooding
• Heavy Weather / Thunderstorms
• Grounding
• Man Overboard
• Medical
• Abandon Ship

FIRE

• Two CO2 fire extinguishers are mounted in the cabin, forward and aft
• Most effective for Class ‘C’ - electrical fire, less effective for Class ‘A’ – general combustibles, and ‘B’ – oil / gasoline
• Check satisfactory charge before sailing
• Drill
• Call FIRE! FIRE! FIRE!
• Stop the engine, if running, and select OFF on the battery switch, clear cabin of unnecessary crew
• Pull pin on extinguisher, point at the base of the flames, pull handle and sweep back and forth. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO FIGHT AN ELECTRICAL OR GASOLINE FIRE WITH WATER!!
• When the fire is out, ventilate the smoke from the cabin, set a re--flash watch and return to port.

Flooding – Taking on water

• Stop – head into the wind to decrease flow pressure
• If the water is coming from the marine head, close the inlet hull valve
• Close any other thru hulls if it might help
• Stuff anything into the hole that might slow the in-flow – clothing, rags, anything.
• Make sure the bilge pump is running – bail with buckets also.
• If flooding can be controlled, return to port ASAP
• Find the nearest marina with haulout capability
• Use motor for better speed
• Otherwise:
• Get a flare up and a distress call out on the radio
• Abandon ship? See last slide.

Heavy Weather and Storms

• Preparation: Get into storm configuration early!
• Reef or take down main and jib
• Close all ports and hatches
• Secure Loose Gear
• Put on PFDs
• Prepare storm gear
• Determine Location
• Head for safe water: well protected or deep water
• Running the engine can provide additional control
• Head close to the wind – pinching is good if sails are up
• Downwind is next best option – reduces apparent wind
• But steering can be difficult
• Can tow a line to reduce speed, improve steering
• Waves on the beam is most difficult – severe rolling, knockdown
• Maintain slow forward speed
• Avoid shallow water in large waves
• Heave to

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Heaving to

• From a close reach, come about. Tack the mainsail, but do not tack the jib – leave it back-winded
• Lose speed and try to point up – leave the helm trying to tack back.
• The boat will attain a stable, direction, near head to wind, with very slow progress forward, and considerable leeway.

Running Aground

• Fixed 4’ keel
• The good news: The bottom in the bay is mostly mud, so grounding often does no damage
• Go slowly in shallow water
• So you don’t run “hard” aground
• Determine which way the deeper water is
• Oar or pole
• Use motor to try to go in that direction
• Since the depth is only 4`, you can stand on the bottom and push
• Kedge off:
• Swim the anchor out in the direction of deep water
• Use a PFD to float the anchor, and wear one yourself
• Set the anchor
• Winch the boat toward the anchor
• Can also attach the anchor line to the main halyard
• 90° to boat’s heading
• Winch in the halyard and the boat will heel
• Apply weight to increase heeling
• Heeling reduces draft
• Other boaters may help
• Call for a commercial tow – phone or radio – expensive!
• Try not to run aground at high tide!

Man Overboard

• Use standard MOB procedure:
• React immediately
• Alert crew: “Man Overboard”
• Assign one crew member to observe and point at MOB
• Throw PFD
• Turn to beam reach – sail away about 5 boat lengths
• Tack (or jibe) to return to a point 1-2 boat lengths downwind of MOB
• Point head to wind and come to a full stop next to MOB
• Throw a line – attached to boat
• Deploy swim ladder at stern
• If MOB is injured…and can’t climb back in
• “Life Sling” would help if we had one

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Medical Emergencies

• Exposure / Hypothermia
• Drowning / cardiac – CPR
• Injury – cuts, burns, fractures
• First Aid kit aboard
• Get trained
• Distress call on the radio (or 911 on cell phone).

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Abandon Ship

• Get a flare up and a distress call out on the radio.
• Get all the crew into PFD’s - DO NOT REMOVE CLOTHING! (helps delay onset of hypothermia)
• Do not abandon ship unless it’s a step UP
• Ship may remain afloat and provide buoyancy
• Easier to be found by rescuer
• Enter the water with legs crossed and arms folded across the chest.

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