From: rogerc@ssd.intel.com (Roger Christal)
Subject: Sailing Right-Of-Way
Organization: Supercomputer Systems Division, Intel Corp.
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1992 18:43:12 GMT

Last weekend, I witnessed a collision between two sailors at Maryhill.
Sailor A was returning to shore and Sailor B decided to jibe near
shore without first looking downwind.  The two collided without damage
or injury.  B unmercifully chastised A for not avoiding him since A
was merely returning to the beach and B was continuing to sail.

I have noticed that very few windsurfers understand sailing right-of-
way.  Without an understanding and application of a few right-of-way
rules, there is a potential for serious injury.  If you damage a
sailors equipment by not giving proper right-of-way, you can be held
liable in court.  The courts recognize sailing right-of-way in regard
to windsurfing!

A statement of these rules is in order.  Comments are requested.
Sorry if this discussion has made the rounds lately.  I've been away.

First of all, when two sailors approach each other on opposite tacks,
the sailor on starboard tack has the right-of-way.  (Ken, starboard
means your RIGHT hand is forward).  It is the responsibility of the
sailor on port tack (left hand forward) to avoid the sailor on
starboard tack.

So, how many times have you been on port tack and had this starboard
tack person mirror your efforts to avoid collision?  It happens to me
A LOT!  This brings up the next point.  The sailor on starboard tack,
when approaching a sailor on port tack, should attempt to hold the
course that is being sailed so that the port tack sailor can maneuver
to avoid a collision.

If you are approaching a sailor on the opposite tack, look at the
background behind the sailor.  If the sailor is moving forward in
relation to the background, he/she will pass in front of you.  If the
sailor is moving backward in relation to the background, you will pass
in front of them.  If the sailor is stationary in relation to the
background, you will collide.

The second problem arises when two sailors are sailing on the same
tack.  In this situation, the downwind (leeward) sailor has the right-
of-way.  It is the responsibility of the windward sailor to avoid the
sailor to leeward.  This means that if the person sailing to leeward
of you is returning to the beach and you want to jibe, you must
maneuver to avoid colliding with that person during your jibe.

In general, you have NO RIGHTS when you jibe or tack your board.  Just
remember to keep clear of others when performing these maneuvers.

Finally, remember that you must keep clear of others when you are
overtaking or passing them.  Last year, I was trying to sail a very
tight course upwind on a slalom board.  All of a sudden, a guy yelled
at me from behind.  Almost tore my calf muscle trying to turn off
enough to avoid a collision!  The person behind me threw a few choice
words my way about getting in his way when in fact I had rights on two
counts; 1). I was to leeward of him and 2). he was overtaking me.  It
continues to amaze me how many sailors think everyone else should stay
out of their way, OR ELSE!

Mishaps can be avoided if sailors yell or signal their intentions
prior to a maneuver.  When I'm heading to the beach and have a sailor
above me who looks ready to jibe, I signal I'm going to the beach.  If
I can give them room to jibe by slowing down or heading up (or both) I
do it.  Just because you're in the right, DON'T FORCE IT.  Sometimes,
giving up your rights is the best thing to do.

Here's to safe sailing!


-- 

>>=- Roger Christal
Newsgroups: rec.windsurfing