ShipStore.com Beacon: Inland Nav Rules & "Clear the Deck" SALE, Part II
Issue 95, October 5, 2006
http://www.ShipStore.com
Floating your boat since 1982 TM


----------------------------NOTE-----------------------------
READ ONLINE: If you experience any trouble opening the links in your newsletter or if you would prefer to read online, you may access the Beacon at: http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/NEWS/NEWSbeacon095.html . If you wish to SUBSCRIBE, please send a BLANK e-mail to beacon-on@list.shipstore.com . If you wish to UNSUBSCRIBE, please send a BLANK e-mail to beacon-off@list.shipstore.com . WHITE LIST: Make sure you receive your ShipStore.com Beacon. Add beacon@list.shipstore.com to your address book.
-------------------------------------------------------------


=============================================================
IN THIS ISSUE:
=============================================================

~ WELCOME ABOARD: Know your Boating "Right of Way" Rules?
~ CAPTAIN'S NOTE: Captain Brian's "Mini" Inland Rules Primer
~ CAPTAIN'S SPECIALS: "Clear the Deck" SALE, Part II
~ CAPTAIN'S CONTEST: "Win a Shopping Spree" Drawing

=============================================================
~ WELCOME ABOARD: Know your Boating "Right of Way" Rules?
=============================================================

Having grown up boating, I like to think I'm pretty well informed about navigational rules of the waterways. But I recently found myself looking for "correct" answers online, and it occurred to me that most of us could use a little assistance in this department.

I asked new ShipStore.com manager extraordinaire, Captain Brian Olson, if he could shed a little light on things. His work follows and is exceedingly thorough, though he assures me it is only an abbreviated version of what boaters should really know. I think you'll find it to be a more-than-helpful distillation of the rather lengthy rules I tried to wade through at the U.S. Coast Guard website. That said, it's worth clicking over there as well since you can access the complete USCG Navigation Rules and Regulations here:

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/navrules/rotr_online.htm

Or, better yet, you can download the entire USCG Navigation Rules Booklet and print it from this link:

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/navrules/download.htm

While going through the USCG information, it's helpful to know a couple of definitions. The "give-way vessel" is the boat that must quickly and definitively alter its course and/or speed to avoid getting in another boat's way. The "stand-on vessel" refers to the boat which should maintain its course and speed unless a collision seems inevitable.

Another helpful aid is a vessel priority list like this one from Jim Shepard's article, "Do sailboats always have the right-of-way over powerboats?" which you can read online here:

http://powerboat.about.com/cs/navigationaids/a/rightofway_rule.htm

Vessel Priority List:

1. A vessel not under command (Example: Loss of steering or power).
2. A vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver (i.e.: Underwater operation such as diving or dredging).
3. A vessel constrained by draft (i.e.: A large vessel in a narrow channel).
4. Fishing or trawling vessels (i.e.: Nets or trawler - remember not trolling!).
5. Sailboats, meaning: boats under sail ONLY. If a sailboat is using its auxiliary engine, it is a powerboat, even if the sails are up!
6. Power driven. Note that powerboaters, are at the bottom of the pecking order.

Now that I've whetted your appetite and your hungering to become a better informed and more responsible boater, make sure you scroll down to Captain Brian's discourse below.

And once you're ready for a break, it's time to click on over to the second part of our twice annual "Clear the Deck" Sale. In celebration of our 10 year anniversary we're emptying the ShipStore.com warehouse and passing on the MASSIVE SAVINGS to you!

Browse thousands of deeply discounted marine items, boat parts and more for "once in a lifetime" deals you won't find anywhere else. Click the link below, and keep checking back over the next couple of weeks as we add additional inventory. Here's the link:

http://www.shipstore.com/SS/HTML/CTD/CTDFALL06.html

George Davis, Beacon Editor
editor@shipstore.com

=============================================================
~ CAPTAIN'S NOTE: Captain Brian's Inland Rules Primer
=============================================================

This past week found me in some interesting company: Westport Marina's tour boat captain, Captain Heather. During her recent New York State Safe Boating Course offered at the Westport Marina, we brushed up on navigational rules and George asked me to distill the most important points.

This is a VERY limited dissertation on the Inland Rules. I have not included certain aspects of the complete rules for clarity. For more thorough information concerning the Navigational Rules of the Road please visit this web link:

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/navrules/download.htm

If you have any questions or comments concerning this article please feel free to email me directly. And if you have any questions about or would like information on the New York State Safe Boating Course you may contact Captain Heather by email at heather@shipstore.com

Safe Boating!
Captain Brian
brian@shipstore.com

1) Head-on Situation (Port to Port)
When two power-driven vessels are meeting head-on both vessels shall alter her course to starboard so that each shall pass on the port side of the other. In this situation both vessels are the give-way vessel and shall keep out of the way of the other vessel.

2) Crossing Situation (12 o'clock to 4 o'clock)
When two power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, the vessel that has the other vessel to starboard shall keep out of the way and avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel. In this situation the vessel that has the other vessel between 12 and 4 is the give-way vessel. The vessel crossing the path of the first vessel is the stand-on vessel.

3) Overtaking Situation
Any vessel overtaking any other vessel shall keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken. A vessel shall be deemed to be overtaking another vessel when coming up from behind, or nearly behind, another vessel from a direction abaft her beam. Any actions taken between the two vessels shall not make the overtaking vessel a crossing vessel. Simply put, you may not overtake a vessel and then cut her off. In this situation the vessel overtaking the other vessel is the give-way vessel. The vessel being overtaken is the stand-on vessel.

Action by Give-way Vessel
Every give-way vessel shall keep out of the way of another vessel until both vessels are well clear of each other.

Action by Stand-on Vessel
Every stand-on vessel shall keep her course and speed until both vessels are well clear of each other.

Sailing Vessels
When two sailing vessels are approaching one another, one shall keep out of the way of the other as follows:
When each sail vessel has the wind on a different side, the vessel that has the wind on her port side shall keep out of the way of the other.
When both have the wind on the same side, the vessel that is upwind shall keep out of the way of the other.
When a sail vessel with the wind on the port side sees a vessel upwind and can't tell which side the other vessel has the wind on, she shall keep out of the way of the other.

Definitions:
The upwind or windward side of a sailing vessel is determined to be the side opposite that the mainsail is carried on. Simply put, the side that does not have the main boom over it.

Responsibilities Between Vessels (Pecking Order)

Power-driven vessels underway shall keep out of the way of:
NUC a vessel not under command
RAM a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
FISH a vessel engaged in commercial fishing
SAIL a sailing vessel

Sailing vessels underway shall keep out of the way of:
NUC a vessel not under command
RAM a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
FISH a vessel engaged in commercial fishing

Commercial fishing vessels underway shall keep out of the way of:
NUC a vessel not under command
RAM a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver

If Ever In Doubt...
When a vessel is in any doubt as to whether a navigational situation exists, she shall assume that it does exist and act accordingly.

It is the responsibility of every mariner to execute good judgment in regards to safe vessel operation. The lives and safety of others, as well as yours, is in your hands. The USCG calls this the General Prudential Rule. We would like to think of it as the common sense rule.

=============================================================
~ CAPTAIN'S SPECIALS: "Clear the Deck" SALE, Part II
=============================================================

It's time for our twice annual "Clear the Deck" Sale. We're slashing prices on our most popular seasonal items. Bigger and better, new and improved... take it from me, this three-stage CTD is our best yet!

Are you a new subscriber? Or maybe you'd just like a little refresher on how the "Clear the Deck" Sale works? Twice each year we empty our warehouse to make room for new merchandise. That means that twice each year ShipStore.com offers unbeatable prices on some of our most popular items. We usually spread the deals over two newsletters, but this time we've stretched it to THREE! This will help us keep up with the flood of orders, so watch your email inbox for part two next week, and part three the week after.

A few of important reminders before you start ogling the good deals:

1. All orders subject to stock on hand. These amazing deals are only valid until our stock is depleted!
2. All "Clear the Deck" items are final sales unless defective from the factory.
3. There will be no backorders. "Ship or cancel" policy in effect.
4. First come, first served. (Note: This could mean you order an item which shows in stock, but someone places an order just ahead of you and you are unfortunately out of luck. We'll email any shortage notices to customer promptly and void those items from your order.)
5. As items sell out, we'll remove them from the list. We'll try to keep the list as current as possible and will be changing it daily through the end of the sale.
6. The "Clear the Deck" Sale only lasts for three (3) weeks, so order now.

That's all you need to know. Good luck, and we'll update you next week. Here's the link for you to browse the CTD Closeouts now:

http://www.shipstore.com/SS/HTML/CTD/CTDFALL06.html

=============================================================
~ CAPTAIN'S CONTEST: "Win a Shopping Spree!" Drawing
=============================================================

Win a $100.00 credit at ShipStore.com. To be eligible for future "Win a Shopping Spree!" drawings all you have to do is subscribe to the Beacon. All current subscribers are eligible for the random drawing. If you're not already subscribed, then visit http://www.shipstore.com and scroll down the light blue column along the left hand side of the page until you see the link "Win a Shopping Spree!". Click on the link. A new window will open with an email addressed to beacon-on@list.shipstore.com and "Subscribe" written in the Subject Field. All you have to do is hit send.

You'll be sent a confirmation email which you must respond to in order to activate your subscription and be added to our mailing list. This double opt-in procedure enables us to prevent accidental subscriptions and spam. As soon as your confirmation is confirmed, you will be entered into the "Win a Shopping Spree!" drawing for a $100.00 free merchandise from ShipStore.com. Good luck.

=============================================================
NEWSLETTER SENT BY PERMISSION ONLY
=============================================================

This email has been sent to you because you (or someone using your email address) subscribed to the ShipStore.com Beacon newsletter. We respect your privacy and do not sell your personal information or release your email address ever, for any reason. For details, please review our Privacy Policy.

If you prefer not to receive to the ShipStore.com Beacon newsletter, please send a BLANK e-mail to beacon-on@list.shipstore.com with "Subscribe" (remove the quotation marks) in the Subject Field. If you wish to UNSUBSCRIBE, please send a BLANK e-mail to beacon-off@list.shipstore.com. If you have any questions or suggestions contact the editor by e-mail editor@shipstore.com. Please include a helpful subject like "Question for the Captain", "Suggestion for Article" or "Remove Duplicate Mailing" to help us sort through the e-mails more easily.

=============================================================
COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
=============================================================

COPYRIGHT 2006 ShipStore.com (tm) ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Permission is granted to electronically copy, print or forward this newsletter for use as a shopping, boating or travel resource as long as it is not altered in any way and sent in its entirety. Any other use of materials on this Web site--including reproduction for purposes other than those noted above, modification, distribution, or republication--without the prior written permission of Westport Marina, Inc. is strictly prohibited.

=============================================================
CONTACT INFORMATION
=============================================================

ShipStore.com
6039 Route 9N
Westport, NY 12993
Telephone: 518-962-2700
Toll Free: 877-SHIPSTORE (US and Canada)
Fax: 518-962-4582

E-Mail sales@shipstore.com with any questions.