These things always bring up all sorts of questions about the Nav Rules, and I have a question for the brain trust.
In some comments on the Broncolerio youtube channel, someone with good paper credentials was says that at some point during take off the plane would transition with respect to the pecking order from being a Seaplane to RAM. I think that's patently incorrect, but want to test that.
I think it's incorrect for a couple of reasons.
1) Seaplanes are explicitly called out, and from my read always are lowest on the pecking order
2) Unlike sail boats that clearly only enjoy that status when exclusively under sail, a seaplane is always a seaplane. If it were only a sea plane under certain circumstances, the rules would say so
3) RAM status is very clearly for boats that are restricted because of the nature of their work. It for dredges, salvage boats, buoy tenders, etc. And anyone claiming that status has to declare it with day shapes, lights, and AIS status. It specifically does NOT apply to boats that are slow to turn or stop, or otherwise confined to a certain course. That's all covered elsewhere under operation in narrow waterways, vessels constrained by draft, etc.
So by my read, a seaplane is always a seaplane, and is always at the bottom of the pecking order. Now none of this is meant to suggest that the boat operator shouldn't have seen the plan and taken action too, but I think primary give-way responsibility is clearly with the seaplane, at all times.