Interpreting What You See Q1

[Jeffish]

Well, I thought maybe, just maybe, red = right. Since port = 4 letters, left = 4 letters. Maybe there was a trick to it. Guess not 

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?

I've thought about what I'd do in this situation, and I'd stop, and wait for the other boat to pass, then turn. Is that the right thing to do? I always, always drive defensively, and think about the what if's, so I just let everyone go so I know it's safe.

[IrishAyes]

As Rick said, red is on the port (left) side. Just remember port wine is red and associate red with port.

As far as leaving the inlet and having a boat approaching the inlet. Both boats should maintain their present course and they would both be ok. If you were to turn IN FRONT of the other boat you would be wrong. You do not MAKE a situation where you have the right of way which you would be attempting to do in this scenario. You have started out in a meeting situation, keep it at that and pass port to port. After the pass you can alter your course to the north.

[ped579]

Jeff just remember left and port have 4 letters and port wine is red...

[WATSNEXT]

This is really GREAT

You know why ?

EVERYONE'S     T H I N K I N G    !

Now if everyone would remember to do that when were underway the marine world would be just fine

[IrishAyes]

Well said Wats. 

[Jeffish]

So, never turn in front of someone. By saying that I mean never cut someone off, or come close to cutting someone off. Correct?

Port, left, 4 letters, port wine is red. Got it.

[WATSNEXT]

That's if everything is as it should be, I'm saying like the rules of the road when driving your car. When your in a channel or approach it's red on the right when returning OK everyone's with that,
Now what if your not in the channel rules of the road still apply, although few seem to know them or follow them
you can, yes-drive on the left side of the road, but no one does it except in England and on the water.
You have to be cognisant of your situation and surroundings And always try to figure out what the other guy is doing.
The lights only seem to work when your at a 4 way stop sign and no one can decide who's going next
Also you can determin a crafts direction from afar

You  ever go out on the 4th of July n anchor to watch the F.W.
1. none of the small craft have anchor lights
2. 95% of the small craft leave their running lights on while anchored
3. the other 5% who just sit their with no lights at all

Recreational BOATING don't ya just love it!

[Jeffish]

What if you are in the channel, but the guy in front of you is going too slow for your liking. How would you go about passing him?

[brian8980]

Been in that same situation...  I have always passed on the left when no one else is coming... Just like when driving a car.  But this can get very tricky at night.

[NJ Guy]

http://www.fishingpixels.com/boatcrash1.html


i think that guy has the right of way

[Hotrod]

OMG!!... 

[Still Running]

Looks like the Navesink River on a weekend.