We averted a disaster today

[CRJR45]

We were overtaking a slower vessel in a narrow channel , and I was trying to make eye contact with the driver as I pulled out to pass him .
He did a no look turn right in to our path .
I’m going 25 mph and yank it into reverse, turn left-er and yelled WTF !
He heard me yelling , corrected his course and yelled -Sorry , but kept going .
To be fair , it’s a crazy section , the Intracoastal crosses the channel for the outlet to the ocean , and they both bi-sect the river channel, and he was trying to find a creek channel.
If I wasn’t watching him when he turned it would’ve been very bad .
We sat stalled in the water while he drove away .

 

[El Jason]

Doesn’t the overtaking vessel yield the right of way?

 

[CRJR45]

There was no chance to adjust , he changed course from due north to west without looking , 90 degree turn crossing the channel without looking .
If I had known he was turning I would’ve gave way .

 

[CRJR45]

Doesn’t the overtaking vessel yield the right of way?

Was I in the wrong ?

 

[El Jason]

Was I in the wrong ?

Were you overtaking the other vessel?

 

[CRJR45]

Yes , but has to give me a chance to adjust . He cannot cause a collision and claim the right of way .
And in a collision scenario there is no right of way , right ?
Both vessels yield ?

 

[El Jason]

Overtaking should pass in a manner that allows them to do so safely. Until you are past him, you are the overtaking and should yield to him.

 

[Hem]

There are alot of YouTube videos of boats navigated by Florida men.

 

[CRJR45]

Overtaking should pass in a manner that allows them to do so safely. Until you are past him, you are the overtaking and should yield to him.

That’s exactly what I did , but he has to be aware of his surroundings, he should have known I was there , I followed him for a half a mile before it was safe to pass .
The fact that he didn’t even know I was there and didn’t bother to check makes it his fault , in my opinion . He is responsible for plotting a safe course , and turning into the path of another vessel is far from safe.

 

[CRJR45]

There are alot of YouTube videos of boats navigated by Florida men.

Actually, Florida is one of the best states I’ve boated in , the boat launches are free and open 24/7 .

 

[Bob-WY]

Right of way does not give the freedom to be stupid. He should have looked