Major Bonehead

[jrc]

Originally Posted by Resident 2B

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I have gotten to the point that unless the give-way vessel demonstrates the willingness to give-way while 300' or so away, I alter course/speed in the interest of safety. I fully realize the stand-on vessel is supposed to maintain course and speed, but when it is busy and the lake is full of inexperienced boaters, you have to think about your personal safety.
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The most important rule is don't hit another boat, it overrides the requirement that the stand-on boat maintain course and speed.

II. (a) It shall be the duty of each vessel to keep to the right when vessels are approaching each other head on.
(b) When the courses of vessels are so far to the starboard of each other as not to be considered as approaching head on, they shall keep to the left.
III. When vessels are crossing courses or approaching each other in an oblique direction which may involve risk of collision, the vessel which has the other on its starboard side shall keep out of the way of the other, allowing the latter vessel to keep its course and speed.
IV. When vessels are running in the same direction and the vessel which is astern desires to pass the other, it shall do so only when sufficient distance between the vessels is available to avoid danger of collision, and at such a speed that its wake will not endanger the boat being passed or its occupants. No person operating a vessel shall abruptly change its course without first determining that it can safely be done without crossing immediately ahead of another vessel.
V. If, when vessels are approaching each other, either vessel fails to understand the course or intention of the other from any cause, such vessel or vessels shall immediately slow to a speed barely sufficient for steerage until the vessels have safely passed each other. If it appears the danger of collision is imminent both vessels shall stop or reverse and not proceed until such danger has been averted.


Sometimes it seems like the crossing boats just want to play chicken. I always chicken out first, better safe then sorry.

I don't think the MP give out many ticket for these rules, they can't really see the angles unless they are one of the boats.

[MJM]

I had a similar situation off Sewall Point...a boat coming from my port side, we were both going approx the same speed (25-ish), and he decided he was just going to go straight. Knowing a Marine Patrol boat was fairly close, I slowed enough to be safe, but making it clearly visible that Bonehead failed to give-way and definitely came well within 150ft of my bow.

I smiled, thinking "I'm going to enjoy this idiot getting pulled over and getting a ticket!" I looked at the MP boat, could see the officer was looking in our direction....and he just sat there. Capt Bonehead continued on his way, I shook my head in disgust, and MP floated.

[JTA]

Much of boat navigation is common sense IMHO. You can look ahead and adjust course to avoid many "right of way" situations. I don't over-worry about who has the right of way as I realize that fewer people have common sense these days (I don't know why). I gave up road rage and the finger a long time ago, it's better for my health. I will give way to the "bonehead" and go on with my life realizing that somewhere he'll/she'll learn a lesson.

[VtSteve]

Originally Posted by JTA

Much of boat navigation is common sense IMHO. You can look ahead and adjust course to avoid many "right of way" situations. I don't over-worry about who has the right of way as I realize that fewer people have common sense these days (I don't know why). I gave up road rage and the finger a long time ago, it's better for my health. I will give way to the "bonehead" and go on with my life realizing that somewhere he'll/she'll learn a lesson.

I had an interesting "discussion" with Captain Bonehead/tuber this summer. Large beach, tons of boats at anchor. He insisted in tubing close to the anchorage, sometimes turning in and going In Between anchored boats, probably 30' or so to each vessel. I watched intently, and saw him go back to the beach, anchoring in an area not too close to other boats. Our little discussion started nicely, telling him politely that boats at anchor rock quite a bit when slapped with his waves, he was too close, people swim in beach areas, etc..

He politely told me that He had much experience, tubed this way all the time didn't see the problem. So, that was that, wished him a nice day. I motored off at headway speed for ten minutes or so. We turned around, and headed to the best angle towards my intended target I felt right around 15 mph trimmed high would be appropriate. Mr. tubing dipstick and all aboard were sitting down in their vessel. I smiled intently, even took their picture, as my biggest wave rocked them good. Yes, I did make sure that in no way would my wake disrupt anyone else, or I would have just grumbled and left. After a couple of these sophomoric displays, I idled over to Tuber idiot, who at this point was staring at me in a not so happy way.

I smiled, he yelled "What the heck are you doing?". I smiled again, and simply said "I took your advice, and decided that I had tons of experience, was not bothering anyone. I also said I didn't see what the problem was. I could see his wife smiling. I idled away at headway speed. Who knows if he got the point, but at least now he has more experience.

The next time these type of events occur, I will have it on video, and will use the VHF to hail down whomever will listen and come to see for themselves.

[sa meredith]

Although I see your point, and smiled a bit at the story...I'm not sure that was the best way to handle the situation. Sort of asking for confrontation. Maybe booze is involved...who knows...and things could get ugly quick. And then you would both be sorry it happened.
I think just letting him know that you and everyone else knew he was clueless was enough.
Tube within 30 feet of a stationary object in the water??!! He put many people at risk if this is true. 30 feet? 10 yards. Just a "first down" away.

[VtSteve]

Originally Posted by sa meredith

Although I see your point, and smiled a bit at the story...I'm not sure that was the best way to handle the situation. Sort of asking for confrontation. Maybe booze is involved...who knows...and things could get ugly quick. And then you would both be sorry it happened.
I think just letting him know that you and everyone else knew he was clueless was enough.
Tube within 30 feet of a stationary object in the water??!! He put many people at risk if this is true. 30 feet? 10 yards. Just a "first down" away.

Heck, I've seen them so close my brush's extension pole could have washed their boat as well. Clueless is something these people don't worry about, it's all about them. First hand experience and aggravation works better in these case. The fact that there are rarely any of the authorities around in areas where the percentage of stopping someone in the act is at or near 100% is a clear indicator of why it's happening with alarming frequency.

The fact that some people have spent so much time attacking GFBL boats and getting the speed limit law passed while ignoring these issues is quite revealing in itself.

[Resident 2B]

These Captain Boneheads are the real safety issue on the lake. Although boating seems to be down this year, there is no shortage of these Captain Boneheads.

Anyone that believes that HB-862 is going to give us a safer lake is significantly lacking in common sense. I hope that the NHMP starts to do something about the real problem, unsafe operation, before people get hurt.

I realize that some kayakers feel that they get "buzzed" because the operators do not see them. From their prospective, I am sure that they believe this and that they are telling us what they believe to be true. This is what they are experiencing. However, I have a 29' boat that is very easy to see, and I get "buzzed" and have my 150' space violated very often. It has nothing to do with speed, it is all about safe or unsafe operation.

Got to get back to work on the ark. Noah is out gather groups of two from each species. I asked him to leave the Captain Boneheads off his list.

R2B