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by CalChris 1694 days ago
In a restricted channel that isn't the case. If you see a triple E coming at you and you're in a dinghy, it will be in a channel and you will want to skedaddle; even the bow wave could swamp you. Usually it will have escorting tugs to shoo you away. But I've been in a sailboat and had Coast Guard machine guns pointed at me and ordered to leave the SF shipping channel because an LNG tanker was a mile or two away.

OTOH, I've been yelled at by Red and White tour boats who were hugging the shore for current relief. That's all nice but I did have right of way and maintained it.
1 comments
GoodbyeMrChips 1693 days ago
> I've been in a sailboat and had Coast Guard machine guns pointed at me and ordered to leave the SF shipping channel

Why on earth is American law enforcement so braindead macho?

Does anybody think this is acceptable?.... To do something so stupidly dangerous as pointing a gun at somebody? Why do you tolerate this?

Here in Blightly, I guarantee such behaviour would lead to prosecution of those involved. (And I wouldn't be surprised if the yacht crew first moon the ignorant coastguard whilst quoting COLREGS).

https://www.imo.org/en/About/Conventions/Pages/COLREG.aspx

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CalChris 1693 days ago
COLREGS, Rule 9, Narrow Channels, (b) A vessel of less than 20 meters in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway.

The CG was correct if a bit rude.

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scrumper 1693 days ago
Depending on how far out, you might've still been under the inland rules.

Not that my pedantry changes anything - sailboat still comes below "vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver" and you gotta give way all the same.

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