The Cat's Tales
Catalina
36
August
2002
John Celick — Newsletter
Editor\Treasurer
http://www.catalinasmbay.org/
From the Captain of the
Fleet:
“Come on
out to the Hamburger Social at the Santa Monica Windjammers Yacht Club, Tuesday
evening, August 20th. We’ll get to talk about the summer sailing and
plan the late summer outings. See you there.”
Your Fleet Captain, Gene Levinthal
Rules of the Road: Is
that Tanker Anchored? Or Underway?
From: William K. Solberg, s/v Wind Dancer, Tartan 3800, Marina del Rey, California
To: Editor, for comment and discussion
In
the
You might ask, why don't you look for the anchor shape?;
if the shape is not up, they are underway! In actuality, I have found it
difficult to observe the anchor shape on these particular vessels. I came to
assume that many didn't bother to use anchor shapes. In fact, I now realize
that the shape I commonly see is an open meshed circular basket or possibly a
solid gray-colored flat disc. In any case, the shape is not "black"
(Rule 30, Annex I of COLREGS) and it is difficult to see at a distance, even
with binoculars. Ironically, the round opaque black anchor shape I use on my
small vessel is more visible. Still, even the most visible shape won't help in
situations of limited visibility, and I am not aware of any signal that big
ships might use (such as the long blast per Inland Rules) in such an instance.
Hence, they resort to using five short blasts at close range. I don't know why
COLREGS hasn't adopted the long blast for vessels
departing an anchored berth in international waters inside the territorial
limits. Do you? Can you explain why these some of these vessels apparently
flout Rule 30?
The lesson
learned is that I need to stay well clear of big vessels that appear to be
anchored, especially in fog, and to pass such vessels aft of their stern when
conditions permit. Importantly, I now always bring out the
binoculars when approaching vessels apparently at anchor.
Documentation:
Vessel that got underway and warned us was @#$% No:1; another vessel anchored
abreast of the @#$% No:1 was flying apparent non-standard anchor shape:
@#$% No:2, sited 0.5 miles off El Segundo Beach, Santa Monica Bay, in the Los
Angeles area at 2302Z on 6 August 2002 in conditions of good visibility.
The reply…. (Didn’t think you needed the actual names of
the above vessels. John Celick, editor)
Date:
From: "Griffiths, Robert LTJG
Subject:
RULES OF THE ROAD
To:
Mr. Solberg,
I understand your situation and have forwarded a copy of your email to the Port
Captain for Chevron Texaco's El Segundo offshore marine terminal for a more
informed resolution. In the meantime I offer the following thoughts and
recommendations.
Vessels operating near El Segundo abide by international rules of the road.
Therefore, while at anchor one black ball in the fore part is required by day
[Rule 30] regardless of the visibility [Rule 20]. In or near areas of
restricted visibility, vessels underway and at anchor must sound signals by day
or night [Rule 35]. At night and during periods of restricted visibility,
lights are also required. In any condition, day or night, a vessel
weighing anchor is in a state of transition and may select the best
rule/signal. A power-driven vessel is not required to sound one prolonged
blast when getting underway from dock/berth under international rules [Rule 34], however, there is nothing that prohibits it either; one
prolonged blast is not misunderstood as any other signal [Rule 2]. When
in sight of one another, and one vessel sounds 5 short
blasts, that indicates either doubt or danger [Rule 34]. Based on your
report, it sounds as if there has been doubt, rather than danger, as to your
intentions while maneuvering near the El Segundo facility. Smaller
vessels are concealed from the bridge view of larger vessels for thousands of
yards ahead. I would recommend never approach closer than 2 nm from any
tanker, whether anchored or underway, to maintain line of sight or radar.
Additionally, vessels approaching this facility may be perceived as a hostile
threat to the safety or security of their crews. In either case, I would
recommend early and direct communications with the vessels.
The El Segundo offshore marine terminal is located inside of the Vessel Traffic
Service area, which extends 25 nm from Point Fermin.
Tankers and other vessels that call on El Segundo are required to check in and
out with VTS San Pedro on VHF-FM Channel 14. You may wish to monitor that
frequency whenever located inside the VTS area to keep apprised of vessel
movement.
LTJG Rob
United States Coast Guard
Asst. Chief, Waterways Management Division
MSO/GRU Los Angeles-Long Beach,