Sailboat Right-of-Ways?

Question

what action should be taken when a sailboat under sail and a power-driven vessel are about to cross paths?

a. no action required if the power-driven vessel is faster than the sailboat

b. sailboat should change course and speed

c. the power-driven vessel should change course and speed

d. the power-driven vessel should speed up

please help if you can, just by listing a,b,c,d it is for a practice review!!!

Answer 1

c

Answer 2

e. None of the Above.

In open water, a sailboat under sail alone has right of way over a power driven vessel. In traffic lanes, a narrow channel or a fairway (if you're not sure what or where these are, check on a NOAA navigational chart and a Coast Pilot for the area you plan to sail) a sailing vessel, a vessel engaged in fishing and any vessel less than 20 meters in length must not impede the progress of a vessel greater than 20 meters participating in the traffic system.

Two points unrelated to sailboats, but that are important to know when interacting with fishing boats. A vessel engaged in trawling, or other fishing other than trolling, has right of way over a power driven vessel (not a sailing vessel) if it is not in a traffic lane, narrow channel or fairway. A vessel engaged in trolling (dragging lines behind them, even long-liners)  is not considered a fishing vessel so far as the Rules of the Road are concerned, it is simply a power driven vessel, and must yield right of way as such. Ski boats, similarly, are afforded no consideration above and beyond that of a power driven vessel.

Answer 3

A boat under sail power always has the right of way.

Answer 4

A

There's some controversy there. I live on Lake St.Clair near Detroit. Even though the lake is huge it's average depth is only 12 feet. They have cut what we call the shipping lanes through the center for large freighters to pass through to lake Huron. Freighters in the shipping lanes have the right of way over anything. When a 1,500 foot ship is comming you had better get the h**l out of the way and get away far or they can suck you right in due to the surrounding shallow waters. I would have to assume the correct answer is A cause what if the boat is a row boat with a small out board. the sail boat would be faster so therefore the row boat has the right of way. Also, what if you are pulling a skier with a power boat, boats with skiers have different rights than a boat without one. For one they can't just speed up the average speed for pulling a skier is 25 mph. Also other boats must maintain a distance of 500 feet from that vessle because they don't want other boats to runn over the skier if he dumps. Bottom line is there really isn't any set answer for that question. But, A is probably the colest to a rule of thumb.

Another point I want to make is about boats that are fishing. If they are trooling with lines out the back they are pretty much stuck on the course and speed that they are traveling at. You can't just speed up or do quick manuvers without losing gear when you have 6 lines 100 feet out the back. If you see rods out the back then give them room. I have been in this situation before and what I do is continue to travel right at them, they always seem to find a way to get the h**l out of the way. I have also had morons (rookies) cut right behind me only to cut lines and rip rods out of the holders.

The bottom line to safe boating is to always be aware of where other boats are way before you get to them and both boaters (If they know about boating) should make adjustments way in advance in order to avoid a collision. I have never had a boating class but have been a boater for over 35 years.

Answer 5

The answer is C.  The reason for that is the sailboat under sail is the less maneuverable vessel.  If the power boat were a fishing boat, or large commercial vessel and in a restricted channel area then the sailboat even under sail would have to give way for the same reason.  For the example given though the sailboat is the stand-on vessel, and the power boat is the give away vessel.

Answer 6

The correct answer by the International Regulations for Prevention of Collision at Sea is c. the power driven vessel should change course and speed.

Answer 7

C is the most coorrect answer

Answer 8

The powerboat is the "give-way" vessel, therefore required to change heading and/or speed to avoid a collision.

However, what you have there is a trick question.  

There's nothing wrong with the powerboat "crossing the path" of the sailboat, as long as it can do so while maintaining the proper distance.

so, the answer is A.