Goddard Sailing Association Laguna 26

Cruiser Qualification Courseversion 6

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!

3. Vessels engaged in Fishing • (but not all fishing vessels)

4. Vessels under sail5. Power driven vessels

Rules of the Road Under SailOpposite Tacks

Port TackIs “Give Way Vessel” (must keep clear)

Starboard Tackis “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 overtakenStands on

Rules of the Road Under Power Crossing situations

Boat held to port gives way

Boat held to starboardStands 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”

Rules of the Road Under Power (3) Overtaking situations

Boat being overtakenstands 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

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

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

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).

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.