Interpreting What You See Q1

[sealife]

At night you see a vessel approaching that shows a light pattern such as this.

What action do you take?









You are in a crossing situation, and you must yield ( “Give way” vessel) to the other vessel (Stand on vessel) - that's why it is red.

[wb]

red white white

boat ahead crossing from right

[IrishAyes]

 

[Hunter 2]

Yup, Boats heading is from your right to left. Slow down and pass to the right.  Dont forget to wave hello

[IrishAyes]

If you are the burden vessel make sure you take POSITIVE and TIMELY action.

In other words, make an exaggerated turn in plenty of time for the stand on vessel to know positively what you are doing. Don't make short, quick heading adjustments and don't wait till the last minute to make your adjustment.

There is nothing worse than guessing if the burden vessel is going to give you the right of way.

[Still Running]

What I was taught is if you see red, they see green. Red means stop and green means go, so they have the right of way.

[Capt. Mike]

When in doubt go slow and give way. Trying to hail on 16 or 8 for commercials could also help the communication along.

[WATSNEXT]

Thats very nice but in reality it's

If I have the bigger and faster boat, I do what ever I want, any time I want. Cause you inconvenience me when ever I have to slow down.

Except for sail boats cause they always have the right of way as do larger craft

But the rest of the time it's TOOT  TOOT I'm comming thru   watch out  get out of the way, then as I blast by you I wave to you, to say hello and assure you that everything is fine

\_________ __________]

Then I can't understand why I'm getting the finger and being cursed at

Can't tell you how many times I was cut off while trolling ( Freakin IDIOTS )

[Hotrod]

 

[Jeffish]

Thats very nice but in reality it's

If I have the bigger and faster boat, I do what ever I want, any time I want. Cause you inconvenience me when ever I have to slow down.

Except for sail boats cause they always have the right of way as do larger craft

But the rest of the time it's TOOT  TOOT I'm comming thru   watch out  get out of the way, then as I blast by you I wave to you, to say hello and assure you that everything is fine

\_________ __________]

Then I can't understand why I'm getting the finger and being cursed at

Can't tell you how many times I was cut off while trolling ( Freakin IDIOTS )

Good to know for when I decide to steal borrow hotrods boat. I'll just make sure to have it full throttle, and maybe modify the exhaust so the boat sounds meaner. Vroom VROOOOM!

[Hotrod]

This is all the stuff you will need to learn.

[WATSNEXT]

POP QUIZ
say the situation is reversed
the green is on your right w/ the 2 whites center and left and is not giving way

What do you do ?

1. Increase speed and pass in front of him.

2. Increase speed and correct you course seconds before impact.

3. Increase speed and ram that SOB amid ship

NOTE all answers start with "increase speed " 

[IrishAyes]

If the green light is on your right the vessel will be heading AWAY from you going further to your right. In other words, he has passed your bow and is no longer presents a risk of collissions. That is, of course, unless he is going in reverse gear.

[Capt. Mike]

Haha had to think about that for a minute. This is one of those situations were easier done then read.   

[Still Running]

POP QUIZ
say the situation is reversed
the green is on your right w/ the 2 whites center and left and is not giving way

What do you do ?

1. Increase speed and pass in front of him.

2. Increase speed and correct you course seconds before impact.

3. Increase speed and ram that SOB amid ship

NOTE all answers start with "increase speed " 

#1 and if you can't get in front of then #3 

[Capt. Carl]

the real fun part is when you realize its an idiot that left his running lights on while he is anchored up bluefishing!  _:"

[WATSNEXT]

Joe makes a great observation here
even though the craft is in my direct path and not giving way since the green light is to the right of the other 2 white lights this craft is no longer at risk of collision so by all means increase your speed and pray that he is not there when you get there
Also another great point Joe touched on the craft in question was a dory type with a blown forward gear and he's limping back to port in reverse, this to is possible as is being dragged backwards by a submarine
Sorry Joe just havin a little fun
And finally the location of these lights relative to your heading for example the lights are at 10 O'Clock are they at 2 O'Clock would make a difference

If the green light is on your right the vessel will be heading AWAY from you going further to your right. In other words, he has passed your bow and is no longer presents a risk of collisions. That is, of course, unless he is going in reverse gear.

[IrishAyes]

WATs, don't be sorry. I know it is all in fun. Have at it. 

[Jeffish]

So. This is what I've thought about red and green lights.

Red is on the right(starboard)
Green is on the left(port)

If I see red, I have to yeild/stop, if I see green, I have the right of way.

I may have the above mixed up. 

Also, what if I'm at a "3-way/4-way intersection"

One more "complicated" question.

Say I'm coming out of barnegat inlet going east. I want to turn left, and go north, but there is a boat coming from the east, headed straight to the inlet. My calculations predict if we both go at the same time, we'll join the wrecks at the bottom of the jetty. Who has the right of way?

A couple of times when I was out with hotrod, some guy in a 50ft boat with 10 motors goes and does whatever he wants. I'd just like to know by the book what is supposed to be done.

[Still Running]

You have it backwards Jeff

Red is on the left (port)

Green is on the right (starboard)