[GoodbyeMrChips]

> 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

[CalChris]

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.

[scrumper]

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.