![\"MG](\"https:\/\/setsail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/08\/MG_6122.jpg\" "\\"_MG_6122.jpg\\"")
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The last few days have seen some shockingly bad, not to mention dangerous, seamanship in crossing or close maneuvering situations. We’ll start with the example above from the narrow channel leading into Nantucket Island’s harbor.<\/p>\n
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We were maneuvering around two small sailboats on their way in, as were we, when this high speed ferry came barreling out the channel and what had to be 20 knots. We were \u00a0forced outside the edge of the channel, to allow them to pass. The channel had at least six other small yachts using it. If anyone has a problem, or makes a small error, there is no way this big cat could stop quickly (we’ve been told there have been accidents).<\/p>\n
Second incident: 10:35 August 21, 1035, position 42 degrees 15 minutes north, 70 degrees 17.7 minutes west,\u00a0we are headed toward Provincetown, after a bit of whale watching. The whale watching vessel Privateer ll<\/em> is on a collision course, closing at 13\/15 knots and aimed at our port beam. We hail them on VHF 13 and 16 with no response. They pass within 50 meters, possibly less, much too close for comfort. Their lack of response to our hail indicates an otherwise occupied watch stander.<\/p>\n We saved the best for last.<\/p>\n The photo above was snapped in a crossing situation as we were closing with an anchorage at the end of Long Island. The yacht Divemaster<\/em> showed zero CPA, i.e. a collision, based on radar and AIS projections. They were aimed at our port beam, required by the COLREGS to keep clear as the burdened vessel. Because of navigation constraints we had no maneuvering options as the stand on vessel. We hailed this yacht on VHF channel 16, advised them of the imminent collision, and asked their intentions. The reply was “I am going to slow down”.<\/p>\n They did, and we crossed with a boat length to spare. The slightest miscalculation and they’d have tested our side impact engineering. This is an 86-foot yacht, and whomever was at the helm has no business in traffic, until he learns the rules of the road.<\/p>\n For those of you pondering these last two incidents, keep in mind that as the stand on vessel we were \u00a0obligated to allow the burdened vessel to maneuver around us. Both situations developed in a manner forcing us to maintain a steady course and speed. Had we done otherwise the burdened vessel might have turned into us.<\/p>\n As far as we are concerned, there is no excuse for such poor seamanship from professional or amateurs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"20110825](\"https:\/\/setsail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/08\/20110825-111936-_DSC5015.jpg\" "\\"20110825-111936-_DSC5015.jpg\\"")
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