Can a sailing vessel be a "vessel constrained by her draught"?
That's what I was asked today in my first lesson on "rules of the road". I answered (having read the rule over once a minute before) "yes, if the available depth and width of water severely restrict her ability to deviate from her course".
Whoops, I though I was going to get that one right, of course the rule states "a power driven vessel", so not a sailing one then! Could have recovered by adding on the end "if she proceeds under power of her engines" but then she wouldn't be a sailing vessel so I wouldn't have answered the question correctly either!
Still, next week when we have learnt the rules 1 to 3 off by heart it shouldn't be a problem. I hope. Then we have just 6 short weeks to learn the lot and its test time. The test is constructed of a series of multiple choice questions of which all answers seem plausible but only one is the correct wording. We were given an example today:
These rules shall apply to...
(a) ...all vessels upon the high seas and in all water connected therewith...
(b) ...all vessels upon the seas and upon all waters connected therewith...
(c) ...all vessel that are upon the high seas or water connected therewith...
(d) ...all vessels upon the high seas and in all waters connected therewith...
Got that one right, but if they are much more tricky than that then it could get nasty! Hopefully simply a case of learning them at this stage. This is only a phase test by the way, not the mca's latest version of orals, so please don't flood me with comments about what a disgrace multiple choice is!!
We have also had lessons aver the last two weeks on wet cargo, dry cargo, maneuvering, ship construction and most interesting and enjoyable is the navigational instruments lessons. We have been studying the magnetic compass and the theory of correcting its deviation and therefore the directive force. Next week we have two sessions where we will adjust the real thing on the roof of the college which I am really looking forward to. Its a really fascinating subject and the lecturer also evidently thinks so which makes it much more enjoyable to learn than it could have been.
Am off for a weekend sailing on Friday, off around the solent for a few days, should be a nice break from the college bar anyway!
posted by Rob @ 3:39 pm
3 comments
3 Comments:
Hey Man - that is an excellent posting.
You were advised ages ago, to learn your colregs word perfect - now you are having to - that is time wasted - and at your age, a late starter so to speak, that is unfortunate because time is not on your side.
Thought you'd get interested in the magnetic compass and all that's involved in it. A fascinating subject indeed, and one in which you will need to be pretty cluey with your maths when you come to split coefficient B into it's permanent and induced components. You will no doubt be taught that knowing the coefficients it is possible to calculate deviation for any heading.
Multi choice Q's, well I never liked that style of Q'ing - it detrats from encouraging a candidate from expressing himself.
That said, and from your ROR examples - it is not altogether without merit. You really must get to know rules 1 - 20, word perfect.
Sailing on the Solent - Fantastic, brings back wonderful memories to me - having competed in world championships out of Lymington back in the late 70's. Didn't win tho.
Give my regards to Warsash - pleasant sailing
Shipmaster (Ret'd)
PS
Should have mentioned - if you take to sailing the way I think that you might - then further down the track there's always the Sydney to Hobart - it's a cracker.
Sorts out the men from the boys.
SM (Ret'd)
Constrained by her draft ?
Well of course in reality she could be, but within the context of the rules she has right of way.
That does not however give her the right to impede a p.d. v/l deep draft, and restricted in her ability to manouvre,in my view.
"Some" would differ, so it seems, particularly when racing.
Be on your guard !!!!!!!
Seascout.
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