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>> At least where the international rules are applicable, the priority of
>> sail over typical power boats (and of vessels not under command,
>> restricted in their ability to manoeuvre, constrained by their draft,
>> fishing etc. over both) is in the rules for vessels within sight of one
>> another. So are the priorities of starboard over port and leeward over
>> windward. They do not apply to vessels in fog so dense that one cannot
>> be seen from the other.
>
> Respectfully, my copy of the (US) Navigation Rules does not mention
> anything about their "not applying to vessels in fog so dense that one
> cannot be seen from the other."  Rule 6 (both International and US Inland)
> clearly requires vessels to "at all times proceed at a safe speed so that
> she can take proper and effective action to avoid collision..."  To me this
> says that if the fog is so thick two vessels can't see each other, they are
> both obligated to slow down or stop!
>
> BTW, I find myself joining others in wondering exactly how this is going to
> work with the new 40-knot Portland-to-Yarmouth ferry.
>
> Lu Abel

A "safe speed" was always defined as the speed you could make & still stop
the ship in half the distance of the prevailing visability.  Of course that
is rarely adhered to in practice.

Having once worked on a high speed ferry for a couple years, I can tell you
with pressure from the head office (and passengers), the ship won't slow
down too much, perhaps to 20+ kts.  Only when approaching a know area for
congestion will they really cut it down to below 20 kts.  Otherwise, they
rely heavily on the ability of the radar to see targets.  If the ship is
like the one I was on, anyone ahead of them will hear them coming.  We had
the engine exhausts inbetween the two hulls.  The "tunnel" acted like a
megaphone, you could hear the whine of the engines a good distance off when
running at speed.  At least one party will know something is coming & should
make themselves as visable as possible.

Yours Aye
Michael Rodaway

If soundings are to be had off one's destination, one should begin to heave
the lead a day earlier than later; and if having done so, one expects to
find bottom, keep on heaving every watch during night or in fog.  This is
the way to avoid danger, for one cannot be too apprehensive of what one
would not like to see, particularly since you cannot make that mistake
twice...
--Samuel de Champlain
  The Good Navigator

   

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