Ralph,
Actually I considered the correctness of the strobe or movable spot and conclude I'd be glad to pay the ticket if it came to that. Too bad we can't just have one set of rules. Tahoe is an inland water way, Clear Lake is not, but the Delta is an inland water way again. Often they get the same boaters throughout the year. The sailboat was ghosting along, which I read as under sail only making more than steerage way but certainly not in jeopardy of breaking the nighttime speed limit. I wonder how much time I would have had to react with a boat closing at 55 mph. I wouldn't have felt comfortable leaving the helm to switch on more lights but I do have a 1,000,000 CP spot and my distress flares within reach. Phil Agur <http://www.catalina27.org/public_pages/profile270.htm> s/v Wing Tip Secretary, Call Sign WCW3485 IC27/270A MMSI 366901790 <http://www.catalina27.org> www.catalina27.org Vessel Doc# 1039809 -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ralph E. Ahseln Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2008 10:20 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: catalina27-talk: Seaworthy Cover(-up) Story ----- Original Message ----- From: Philip J <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Agur To: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2008 8:50 PM Subject: RE: catalina27-talk: Seaworthy Cover(-up) Story SNIP.... I'm leaning more to a strobe light or a movable spot light. SNIP........ Phil Agur Friends, While the specific case referred to was in a lake.. Technically not INLAND waters The use of any kind of light would probably be defensible..What we call proper lights wouldn't necessarily be required. In that environment, being aware that high speed boats may be around, I'd have every light I could muster up.. SHOWING I don't think anyone would complain. Of course that's in a lake. So it's unlikely that any Coast Guard would be patrolling. My other comment is is in response Be cautious of using a Strobe light in ...."Inland Waters." That is, waters prescribed by the Secretary (Homeland Security ..now). A Strobe light is to be accepted as a signal for DISTRESS or Assistance needed.. Inland RULE 37... I understand that a Strobe light is "To Be Avoided"...in International waters . International RULE 36 Regarding lights, Let's not forget that the rules are slightly different between a craft that is Sailing.....and one Under Power. If the boat has a mast and sails BUT is using it's engine.. It's "Under Power". The only other comment I'll make is ... Booze, Poor visibility of navigation lights, or whether.....one was a sailboat, the other a powerboat.. Isn't the problem.. We, here in the Pacific North West, have had two similar collisions in less than a month..The Puget Sound has seen a fatality and several people hospitalized,, One even happened in the Daylight.. Then, like this case, we had the scattering of complaints about "Improper boat handling. Angry words about closer policing. Pleas for competency testing.etc, etc.... I won't bore you here on the list with my response, but I did write an angry response to all the chatter. It was sent to our Local Area Sailing Magazine, "48 North". I'm told my response will be in the November issue. If you care to read it, you can see the letters to the Editor, on line www.48north.com In November Hint ? "SPEED isn't FUN, It KILLS. Everyone one of us is guilty of manslaughter !! " With regards to all, Ralph Ahseln "Oblio" Gresham OR
