Chrysler Sailors Forum

Dead reckoning is the most simple means of navigation. Based on time, course and speed it gives an approximation of where you are and where you will be. Add in current drift and the accuracy increases. The trivia question is: Since it is dead reckoning, who died?


QotW: Reorganize the list of right-of-way boats, starting from the most privleged (termed the stand on vessel).


a) a vessel engaged in fishing

b) power driven vessels

c) a vessel not under command

d) a vessel restricted in ability to maneuver

e) sailing vessels

Have a great week!

For the trivia, I've heard it may have come from the term "deduced reckoning" or "ded reckoning". That's as close as I know.

For the QotW, here's my take:

c) a vessel not under command
d) a vessel restricted in ability to maneuver
a) a vessel engaged in fishing (with the caveat below)
e) sailing vessels
b) power driven vessels (as long as they don't meet the other listed criteria above)

Caveat to "a) a vessel engaged in fishing": This is intended for commercial fishing trawlers and applies to coastal waters only. Inland seas (Great Lakes, in my case) do not have designated commercial trawlers in this context. There are, however, many, many sports fishermen using down riggers and trolling several lines behind their boats which somewhat limit there ability to manuever. And, it's cliche to say it: there are plenty of boaters out there that do not know the rules. So, my caveat to my caveat is: where in this instance these guys are considered power driven vehicles, it's EVERYONES responsibility to avoid an accident.

Here's a little trick to remember the order: Over Night Rooms For Sale Plus Sally, which stands for:

Over taken
NUC (Not under command)
Restricted in ability to maneuver
Fishing boats
Sail boats
Power boats
Sea plane

Guess who's a new member of United States Power Squadron and took the boater safety course?!?!

Let me take a stab at it with a dull knife.
C = A vessel not under command
D = A vessel restricted in ability to maneuver
A = A vessel engaged in fishing (NOT Bubba in his bass boat)
E = Sailing vessels
B = Power driven vessels

Oh, I can do this one... I hope...


c) a vessel not under command
a) a vessel engaged in fishing
d) a vessel restricted in ability to maneuver
e) sailing vessels
b) power driven vessels

(Unless I am the power driven vessel driver, not a captain of power driven boat, a stink pot driver and I've been drinking, then I have the right of way over everything and everyone, get out of my way! Amen.) You know you've seen it! I've seen it and we'll all see it again this year.

Oh and if your the Sailing Vessel then you the power same as the driven boat if your under power, motor running even if your sails are up. So be nice and yield that right of way.

Thanks
Alan

Dead reckoning comes from the story of Davey Jones and how he ended up having a locker. It seems he kept this trunk in his stateroom that was always locked. The first mate thought it to hold valuable treasure and, with flintlock at the ready, confronted Capt Jones. Davey didn't reckon the first mate would shoot - he was wrong - hence dead reckoning.

I made that up!

It should, more correctly be called ded reckoning becasue, as one of our astute members pointed out, the pilot is using course, time and speed to deduce where you are and where you're headed.


And now for the answers:

Most privledged to least privledged

c) A vessel not under command - that is it is not able to navigate. This could be a vessel with a broken rudder, an engine out, or adrift.

d) A vessel restricted in its ability to manuever - this could be do to a narrow channel. BTW, courts have ruled ferry boats fit this category and have the right of way.

a) A vessel engaged in commercial fishing. Thanks for the discussion about Bubba. It added immensely to make the point clear.

e) Sailing vessels - and as pointed out they have to be under sail power, not with sails up but using the kicker.

b) Power driven vessels.


There is one other caveat: The rule that superceedes these rules is that the Navigation Rules can be overlooked to avoid immediate danger. If it will avoid a collision, do it. For instance, If your choice to avoid collision is sounding three short blasts, throwing something into reverse or abruptly changing course - forget the horn blasts and do it!

For more info see: www.uscgboating.org/regulations/nav_rules.htm.

Have a great rest of the week. I hope to get a rudder sanded into shape this weekend and ready for glassing!

Also one other note no matter whom has the right of way you do what is necessary to avoid a collision. If you get into maritime court and you had the opportunity to avoid an incident and said "I had the right of way" then you might get a surprise and find out differently, just beware and I don't want to damage my Chrysler for some stink potter or someone who does not use common sense.