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jeffk · 08-28-2007, 11:00 AM

Being within 100 ft of shore RG could not have increased speed by very much and still been at "headway" speed. He could have stopped completely and let the other boat pass ahead of him. Since RG was give way this was probably the correct "legal" choice. It also avoids a collision, also a "legal" choice.

On the other hand the incoming boat KNEW that he was going to have to slow down as he approached the island 150' zone. RG's presence meant that he might have to slow down sooner and it should have been obvious that RG wasn't going to be able to completely get out of his way. Even if RG had stopped to let him through it looks as though he would have penetrated RG's 150' circle and therefore he should have "legally" slowed down sooner than he did. If he had done so, RG would have probably passed well ahead of his path. For both courtesy and cautions sake he should have slowed down well ahead of time. Just because you have ROW doesn't mean you must bear down on someone at speed, especially when it looks like it might cause a collision.

All that said, if on the spur of the moment I was placed in RG's position, I would have expected the incoming boat to have slowed down and pulled behind me, simply because he had more maneuvering options that I did, "legal" or not. Suppose RG had been sitting still in the water but not at anchor? Legally RG would have to give way but I don't imagine most boaters would expect him to. Most boaters would slow down and maneuver around him.

As to the picture taking, I really like the idea of photographing boneheads, however as in most boating situations, this one was not clear cut. Photographing someone will obviously imply they are in the wrong and the natural reaction will be to become annoyed. Even complete boneheads will resist taking responsibility for their actions.

08-28-2007, 11:00 AM	#2
jeffk Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Center Harbor Posts: 1,186 Thanks: 210 Thanked 452 Times in 261 Posts	RG had limited options Being within 100 ft of shore RG could not have increased speed by very much and still been at "headway" speed. He could have stopped completely and let the other boat pass ahead of him. Since RG was give way this was probably the correct "legal" choice. It also avoids a collision, also a "legal" choice. On the other hand the incoming boat KNEW that he was going to have to slow down as he approached the island 150' zone. RG's presence meant that he might have to slow down sooner and it should have been obvious that RG wasn't going to be able to completely get out of his way. Even if RG had stopped to let him through it looks as though he would have penetrated RG's 150' circle and therefore he should have "legally" slowed down sooner than he did. If he had done so, RG would have probably passed well ahead of his path. For both courtesy and cautions sake he should have slowed down well ahead of time. Just because you have ROW doesn't mean you must bear down on someone at speed, especially when it looks like it might cause a collision. All that said, if on the spur of the moment I was placed in RG's position, I would have expected the incoming boat to have slowed down and pulled behind me, simply because he had more maneuvering options that I did, "legal" or not. Suppose RG had been sitting still in the water but not at anchor? Legally RG would have to give way but I don't imagine most boaters would expect him to. Most boaters would slow down and maneuver around him. As to the picture taking, I really like the idea of photographing boneheads, however as in most boating situations, this one was not clear cut. Photographing someone will obviously imply they are in the wrong and the natural reaction will be to become annoyed. Even complete boneheads will resist taking responsibility for their actions.