Rule 10 – Traffic Seperation Schemes. Applies to vessels in any condition of visibility.
(a) This Rule applies to traffic separation schemes adopted by the Organization and does not relieve any vessel of her obligation under any other rule.
(b) A vessel using a traffic separation scheme shall:
(i) proceed in the appropriate traffic lane in the general direction of traffic flow for that lane;
(more…)
Leave Comment » Last week we looked at Variation. This week we are going to look at Deviation.
You will recall that bearings on a chart are aligned with true north yet the compass you steer by does not point to true north. It is affected by the position of the magnetic pole in relation to you – variation. And it is also affected by the small magnetic fields that are present on the boat you are on. These can stem from the engine, the instruments, and metal work including galley pots and pans. The compass is also affected by the magnetic field in a phone or ipod. This local magnetic affect on the compass is called (more…)
Leave Comment » Overtaking
This rule is in Section II so applies to vessels in sight of one another.
(a) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Rules of part B, sections I and II, any vessel overtaking any other shall keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken.
(b) A vessel shall be deemed to be overtaking when coming up with another vessel from a direction more than 22.5 degrees abaft her beam, that is, in such a position with reference to the vessel she is overtaking, that at night she would be able to see only the sternlight of that vessel but neither of her sidelights. (more…)
Leave Comment » A compass points north. But the compass found in the cockpit of most yachts points to what is called Compass North. Compass North is not necessarily True North which is what charts are aligned with.
When drawing off a Course to Steer on the chart you must apply 2 corrections to the course you come up with before you tell the helmsman what to steer. The 2 corrections are Variation and Deviation. Variation is the difference between True North and Magnetic North. Deviation is the effect of the magnetic fields on the boat caused by things like the engine. More about Deviation next week. Today we will concentrate on Variation.
Variation
Charts are aligned with True North. The North Pole. However (more…)
Leave Comment » Rule 8 – Action to Avoid Collision
This rule is in Part B – Steering and Sailing Rules, Section 1 – so applies to vessels in any condition of visibility.
(a) Any action to avoid collision shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, be positive, made in ample time and with due regard to the observance of good seamanship.
(b) Any alteration of course and/or speed to avoid collision shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, be large enough to be readily apparent to another vessel observing visually or by radar; a succession of small alterations of course and/or speed should be avoided. (more…)
Leave Comment » First Class Sailing are selling 2 yachts! We are using Sea Ventures at Hamble Point. The first boat, Minerva, was decommissioned a couple of weeks ago. We took everything off and gave below a thoroughly good deep clean. She was then lifted out and chocked off.
Over the last couple of weeks we have further spruced her up by cleaning, cutting and polishing the hull and deck. Glen used Y10 on the deck which is a magic goo that gets rid of 90% of stains and grime. We also antifouled the hull.
So we’ve made it nice and easy for a new owner. There is minimal work him/her to do!
The next boat Shinay will come out of the water in 10 days time.
The new yachts, Jenneau 36i’s arrive, in January!
To read more about our new boats visit First Class Sailing
Rule 18 – Responsibilities between vessels
This rule is in Part B, Section II and so applies to the copnduct of vessels in sight of one another.
Except where Rules 9, 10 and 13 otherwise require:
(a) A power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of:
(i) a vessel not under command;
(ii) a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre;
(iii) a vessel engaged in fishing;
(iv) a sailing vessel.
(b) A sailing vessel underway shall keep out of the way of: (more…)
Leave Comment » Imagine the GPS aerial is playing up and you don’t have a radar on board. You want to know where you are and in particular how far off the coast you are. You take a bearing with the handheld compass of the headland and draw this on the chart. You carry on sailing on the same course and an average speed of 6 knots for an hour and then take a bearing of the next headland. Draw this on the chart as well. You now have 2 position lines, taken an hour apart, that do not cross. So where are you? (more…)
Leave Comment » Rule 13 – Overtaking.
This rule is in Section II so applies to the conduct of vessels in sight of one another.
(a) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Rules of part B, sections I and II, any vessel overtaking any other shall keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken.
(b) A vessel shall be deemed to be overtaking when coming up with another vessel from a direction more than 22.5 degrees abaft her beam, that is, in such a position with reference to the vessel she is overtaking, that at night she would be able to see only the sternlight of that vessel but neither of her sidelights. (more…)
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