I would be interested to hear your thoughts or understanding of responsibilities between all vessels which are either underway or at anchor within a narrow channel.
There have been some fairly serious incidents in recent times between large sea-going vessels and smaller recreational vessels within channels and if this thread can just clarify a few points then it should be worthwhile.
Over to you.
Chine
As with the ferry incident in Sydney harbour the other day,you cant always rely on the other boat to do the right thing(see you and change course,I mean),so always expect the unexpected and be ready to react.
Not much help to worry about who was to blame if you end up in the drink,injured or worse.
cheers Scott
G'day Chine
It is set out pretty clearly in the col regs what the responsibilities are between vessels in narrow channels.
This is my understanding of do's and don't's for fisho's using narrow channels that are also used by cargo ships and the like.
The most obvious narrow channels in Moreton Bay, for example, would be the shipping channel from Caloundra to Fishermans Is (NW, Spitfire, Main, East) and the Brisbane River.
From a rec fisho's point of view, which in most cases is a power boat under 20m;
keep as far to the right side of the channel as possible when travelling along the channel. (keeping to the right applies in open water as well)
keep out of the way of large ships in narrow channels, as they may not be able to alter course, or stop quick enough to avoid a collision with you.
don't expect a large ship to give way to you if you are crossing a narrow channel.
avoid anchoring in a narrow channel.
(if you're broken down, try to anchor outside the channel, if at all possible)
regards
Steve
Last edited by seatime; 21-01-2007 at 10:32 PM.
Hello Gelsec,
Thanks for the post and that about covers the legal requirements.
There is presently a very messy situation down in Melbourne as a result of a collision between a large container vessel and a small recreational vessel and I thought that this might be the opportunity to talk about some of the operational limitations of large commercial vessels. Please feel free to add if I have missed anything.
With regard to a large loaded bulk carrier which may have as little as 600mm under the keel whilst navigating within a channel.......it is very restricted in its ability to manoeuvre.....and limited in it's ability to avoid other vessels. These vessels may be displacing in the order of 180,000 tonnes and whilst navigating within a channel at any speed.....possess enormous momentum and take a long time to stop. You cannot just steer around an obstruction as once you commence a turn, it can be very difficult to stop.....particularly with limited underkeel clearance. Any vessel which is close to the bottom can be very difficult to handle. The very same vessel may be affected by a strong cross current and needs to apply set towards the current to counteract the affect.......ie he may need to use a lot of the channel. The same applies to any large deeply laden vessel, be it tanker, bulk carrier, container vessel etc.
With regard to a ballasted vessel ie higher out of the water, they are more manoeuvreable yet different problems arise. They can be very prone to the affects of both wind and current and if both are coming from the same direction then the vessel will be using a great deal of the channel width just to stay in the channel........without the additional problem of an anchored vessel in front of it. Should they need to go astern on their engine to avoid another vessel then they will become uncontrollable owing to the affect of propellor transverse thrust and to address this will normally require the use of anchors.
Large vessels have have a blind sector ahead of them which varies with trim and draft. The rule is that if you cannot see the bridge, then the bridge team cannot see you.
The regulation sound signals that you will hear from a ship are;
One short blast.................I am altering my course to starboard
Two short blasts...............I am altering my course to port.
Three short blasts.............I am operating astern propulsion
Five short blasts................I am in doubt about your action taken to avoid
collision.
One long blast.................. I am nearing a bend where another vessel may
be obscured.
There are a few points to keep in mind;
Always keep a good lookout.
Do not impede the navigation of large vessels within a channel or their approaches.
Take EARLY and substantial action. Start your engine FIRST then retrieve fishing lines and anchor.
You may see the ship but the ship's bridge team may not see you.
Be aware of the navigational restraints of commercial shipping.
Exhibit regulation navigation lights when required.
Owing to the high number of near misses and accidents, NSW Maritime have now embarked on a public education programme. The fines can be as high as $1500.........and no one wants to see that.
Safe boating
Chine
Chine,
I'm not sure if the law is a local one or not, but in Port Phillip Bay, it is an offence to anchor in a shipping channel, for all the obvious reasons that have already been mentioned in this thread.
Also, with respect to the Sydney Harbour incident, Ferries have right of way over ALL other vessels, regardless of whether they are power or sail.
They are meant to display lights or daymarks to indicate this status.
A lot of common sense needs to be used when navigating around vessels which are mauch bigger than yourself - in the event of an 'incident', the bigger guy always wins!
Richard.
OR in highly populated weekend warrior/tourist waterways - he who has the biggest boat has right of way (smiley).
cheers fnq
I am considering investing in a re-inforced prow and ramming spike on the bow I my 21 footer if I take my boat to the Gold Coast broadwater on the weekend again - to take on 40 foot gin palaces that do what they want!!!
Originally Posted by TOPAZ
G'Day Topaz,
That would appear to be a local PPB law which would over-ride the International Rule of the Road which states;
Any vessel shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid anchoring in a narrow channel".
Chine
Back again Gelsec,
I have been reflecting on your first sentence and believe this to be one of the problems..........how many recreational boat owners know the Colregs 1983?
I went into the NSW Waterways handbook to see what information is provided about conduct in narrow channels and here you have the sum total...............
2 0 0 6 - 0
52 7 • B O A T I N G H A N D B O O K
Big Ships and Small Boats
The main safety tips for small boats around shipping and ferry
channels are:
• recreational boats, both power and sail should keep well clear
of large vessels and ferries
• do not cross ahead of large vessels or ferries unless well clear.
Even when hundreds of metres away, your boat may
disappear from the ship master’s view from the bridge
• do not cross close astern of a large vessel or ferry
• always keep to the starboard side of a channel and
• do not cross a channel if you are going to impede a vessel
which has to use the channel.
Sydney Harbour Control VHF 16/13 (24 hrs). Nav
warnings / Met broadcast VHF Ch13 (3 min. past hour).
Unless otherwise directed, sailing vessels and motor
vessels are not to impede the passage of commercial
shipping/naval vessels inside the shipping channels.
Navigation (collision) Regulation 1983 apply.
It is now apparent that despite the highlighting of these regs that we continue to have very serious accidents and near misses.......so the words above are not working. This is why the authority appears to be heading towards a very specific public education programme using handbooks etc.
Topaz's indication that the Melbourne Port Authority has now made specific rules regarding no anchor zones is a sad reflection. I am unsure what is happening in Queensland Ports regarding this problem although in NSW the message will hopefully get across with this new campaign.
Chine
NSW Maritime has a Big Ships
Small Boats video to promote
safety in busy ports.
Hi Chine
But there's more!
Col Regs Rule 9, uses the terms "narrow channel or fairway" whereas local handbooks mention 'narrow channels' only.
'Fairways' are stretches of navigable water that may not be as well marked as 'narrow channels', e.g. very few beacons.
PPB, Port Jackson & Moreton Bay for example, have fairways.
The approaches to the Sth Channel and the Yarra and parts of the open bay are fairways in PPB.
Most of Port Jackson is fairways.
The run across Moreton Bay from Moreton Is to the Entrance Beacons is a fairway.
In these fairways, the same rules as in narrow, clearly defined and marked channels, applies: avoid anchoring, no impeding the passage of large vessels and so on.
Education would appear to be needed with more and more of us boaties getting out there, more boats, more chances of accidents.
regards
Steve.
Last edited by seatime; 22-01-2007 at 03:40 PM. Reason: word changed
well my thought i think it is just generall knowledge to get out of the way of a ship its alot easier for u to change direction then them... its called common sense?
i know there are rules and reg that we need to know but my theory is the same as roundabout dont mater whos right or wrong
"""just dont hit anything!!!"""
i treat everybody as equal "they dont know what there doing "
i know this doest work all the time but when your in a 12' boat it works fine for me
...I thought my idea of a ramming spike might gain popularity, but alas noone is interested
Ozscott,
Words are powerful things. Some people might think you're serious about fitting a ramming spike and other offensive devices. You just never know.
I think it's an example of humour but newbies might not.
No offense intended.
flatstrap
...hehe...I will make use of the advanced controlls next time and include a smiley...everyone I was only kidding.
Cheers
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