International vs. Inland

There has always been a problem in my class room with inland and international rules. There is little difference until you encounter a need to comply or make a maneuver.
The international and inland rules must be interpreted with common sense. A collision between a large steel ship and a small fiberglass boat seldom results in injury on the big ship. Now I know that there aren’t very many large vessels in the bay, but there is a bunch in the Brownsville ship channel along with a fleet of shrimp boats.
Since the large vessel is restricted in maneuverability, it has the right of way not to mention common sense to get out of the way. The speed of a larger vessel seen at a distance can be deceptive. Always be prepared to give-way to it. Another thing that happens mainly in the Brownsville ship channel is the current they produce around them. A vessel proceeding along a narrow channel or fairway must stay as close as safely possibly to the starboard side and outer limit if the channel.
Have you ever seen the water being sucked away from the bank as a large ship approaches in the Brownsville ship channel? The water level decreases by as much as 5 ft.
The rule goes on to say that a small vessel may not impede the passage of a vessel that can only navigate within the channel. If this is all confusing, then just stay way clear of all ships 40ft. or larger.

As always be safe a see you on the water.

Written by Captain Alan Stewart of the Laguna Madre Maritime Training Center
For Information on the Laguna Madre Maritime Training Center please call 956-639-8697

Here is a system that I found very interesting. It is a program started by Genmar called First Mate which gives boaters access to live information and assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a weeks, 365 days a year. The program includes SeaTow marine assistance service, which can send help in a hurry if you run out of fuel, have a dead battery, are lost or stuck in shallow water. They even have roadside assistance if your trailer needs something. They will even chart a course for you in their FirstMate + program which includes GPS monitoring and Telematics Security. It looks like this type of system will be a mainstay in the boating world in the future.
I was at a Texas Parks a Wildlife seminar on Tuesday at the Visitors Center. This program covered new rules & regulations that will affect all of us that partake in the sport of fishing. All of the new rules will be published in the annual T.P.W. rules and regulations handbook in August or around that time.
Until next time, see you on the water and be safe.

Written by Captain Alan Stewart of the Laguna Madre Maritime Training Center
For Information on the Laguna Madre Maritime Training Center please call 956-639-8697

TAKE A BOATING COURSE

There are several ways to safer boating I have found out. Upon looking through the United States Boating Institute information, I came across several organizations that offer safety boating classes. The first is The United States Power Squadron. Take this public boating course to learn the basics of safer and more enjoyable boating, whether you own a boat , are thinking of buying one, or enjoying boating with friends. It is free. What a deal. Another one is the United States Coast Guard Auxilary. It was created in 1939 by an act of congress and is staffed by volunteer civilians. They just gave one recently , but plan them often throughout the year. They can be contacted by calling 1-800-368-5647. I met some of the local guys at Parrot eyes water sports recently and I could feel the enjoyment of the water and boating inside them. They do these things for the public simply for the love of doing it. The Red Cross even got into the act. Not only do they do the regular C.P.R. and first aid, they have boating safety for canoes, kayaking and sailing. The American Red Cross was started also by congressional Charter. The next one is more of a club than anything else. The United States Yacht Racing Union is a national governing body for sailing. It has over 25,00 active members that sail or sailing groups. Some of their programs include sailing safety and services to sailing groups. You can become a member by calling 401-849-5200.
Well, there is no excuse for not knowing what a red sign or a green sign means or coming about or going to port or starboard means. Take a course and enjoy boating.
Until next time, see you on the water and be safe.

Written by Captain Alan Stewart of the Laguna Madre Maritime Training Center
For Information on the Laguna Madre Maritime Training Center please call 956-639-8697

To see archived articles by Captain Alan Stewart please click the link below:

January 2006 articles
February 2006 articles
August 2006 articles
September 2006 articles
January 2007 articles
April 2007 articles
December 2007 articles
Texas Clipper Article
May 2008 articles

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