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

 

[F250]

As you were the passing vessel, you would be the” give way “ vessel. The vessel you are overtaking is the “ stand to” vessel. He had right of way and you cannot interfere with his course. Did you signal your intention to over take him … I believe it is one short horn blast to pass on Port side and two short blasts for passing on starboard side.

 

[F250]

sorry… other way around… One for starboard ( right) two blasts for port ( left

 

[Hem]

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

Sure^
But that wasn't my point.

 

[El Jason]

I followed him for a half a mile before it was safe to pass .

Well, it seems this statement is questionable.

You do you.

 

[Gellar]

Being a lifelong boater primarily on the Mississippi River the last thing I do is trust another boater to stay their course. Throw in the amount of new boaters and renters with very little training or thought other than will 20lb of ice keep our beer cold all day and you have a recipe for disaster.

 

[CRJR45]

Being a lifelong boater primarily on the Mississippi River the last thing I do is trust another boater to stay their course. Throw in the amount of new boaters and renters with very little training or thought other than will 20lb of ice keep our beer cold all day and you have a recipe for disaster.

I agree , I've been doing this 48 years and noting surprises me anymore . I was trying to catch him turning his head and and he never looked back . This guy was in his own little world , I'm glad I was watching him .

 

[CRJR45]

As you were the passing vessel, you would be the” give way “ vessel. The vessel you are overtaking is the “ stand to” vessel. He had right of way and you cannot interfere with his course. Did you signal your intention to over take him … I believe it is one short horn blast to pass on Port side and two short blasts for passing on starboard side.

I did not , and nobody does , most boats down here have music blasting and can't here a horn anyway . Even as the stand to vessel he has to maintain a safe course and be aware of any and all navigational hazards , such as a boat over taking him .

 

[CRJR45]

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

Thank you !

 

[Gellar]

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

I could watch “Miami boat ramps”on the ‘gram all day long.