NEVER go faster than you are willing to hit something. Good rule of thumb.
Seriously: With all due respect... is there a speed at which you are willing to hit something with your boat... other than 0 mph?
NEVER go faster than you are willing to hit something. Good rule of thumb.
With all the flotsam from recent rains, it's a wonder why boaters go fast with limited visibility. ... Another vote for FD boats which cannot go so fast.
With all the flotsam from recent rains, it's a wonder why boaters go fast with limited visibility. ... Another vote for FD boats which cannot go so fast.
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In my opinion that equals: Another vote for P boats which can go fast!!
Why are we required to display lights at night? I think it`s because otherwise we probably won`t be seen.
Other vessels need to know you are there. Making yourself near invisible invites trouble and most if not all the responsibility.
It`s an objective test,it`s no answer the battery for the torch you took along had less charge than you thought. Where`s the spare? Or that you had a long unexpected call and your cellphone died.
There were no restrictions to visibility....
At night?
Last time I boated at night was 55 years ago. That was in inland waters.
In five seconds of inattention at high speed, good luck!
Why did it take the USCG or FD 3 hours to get there? Is this in the boonies somewhere? Were they asleep?
When this gets adjudicated by whatever means, blame will be split, no way is the speeding boat that crashed into an anchored boat at night not going to get some blame, no way. These cases are almost always split, but running into an anchored boat at high speed wont look good, regardless the other issues.There should be NO DOUBT about an unlighted boat anchored in a channel being totally at fault. Even anchored with a light in a channel is illegal.
If one is operating at a speed too fast to hit anything, then they might as well stay at home. That's just not possible, especially with docking in a wind.
And there's nothing wrong with operation at 25 to 30 knots at night as long as it is reasonable prudent. Sure, he probably should have seen the boat, but just because he didn't, certainly doesn't make him at fault at all. It's just like a car came out of the alley and hit you and you didn't see him.
One can operate safely at night at 25 to 30 knots. There are plenty of aids that can help with a safe passage, including high power lights, good charting, radar, an observer, knowing the area, moon light and background lights. And there are times when it isn't prudent.
If, in fact this was a "narrow" channel as described and the anchored boat was 100 feet into it, is extremely negligent.
As for insurance, has nothing to do with whose at fault or whose going to pay, nor is not having it show any negligence at all. It's only a risk/benefit decision to have it.
And one more thing that's quite disturbing..... Why did it take the USCG or FD 3 hours to get there? Is this in the boonies somewhere? Were they asleep?
When this gets adjudicated by whatever means, blame will be split, no way is the speeding boat that crashed into an anchored boat at night not going to get some blame, no way. These cases are almost always split, but running into an anchored boat at high speed wont look good, regardless the other issues.
Comparing operating a boat at speed at night to operating a car at speed at night are apples and oranges. Cars operate on roads not rivers, etc. you have headlights on cars, reflectors on other cars and a car is a much more controlled environment.
As to the liability, it will end up being split between both boats. It appear that both were either illegal and or neglegant to some extent. Boating collisions are almost always split liability even if you are doing "everything" right because if you were doing everything right the collision would not have occured.
Well, at least I am getting a glimpse into the mentality of people who operate boats at high speed at night and think hitting something is okay, as long as they can articulate why it's not their fault.
Now, that's a thought. With LED'S and such, is it not a wise thing to possibly have rope lights etc on the bow & stern? Here's where I'm going with this -- I have red or white side deck lights. How confusing would it be to someone approaching my boat at night while I'm anchored if I turn them on?When anchored, best to have some lights on beyond the required anchor light so to make one more visible. Suggest some subdued interior lighting. For me, low-intensity lighting in the pilothouse works.
White would probably be OK, red may or not be.
I can't imagine ANY BOATER that operates at night and thinks hitting something is okay.
I also can't imagine why any boater would not use lights when they are required, especially anchoring in channel.
Well, at least I am getting a glimpse into the mentality of people who operate boats at high speed at night and think hitting something is okay, as long as they can articulate why it's not their fault.
That is a pretty big conclusion to draw from comments presented.
I did not read any comments where someone said hitting something was OK.