The Harbor Column -- Mike Whitehead

Ahoy.

This week, you might hear the roar of cannons off our coast as the

103-foot Hawaiian Chieftain and the 112-foot Lady Washington attempt to

outmaneuver each other in a battle reenactment. The two 18th Century

replica tall ships will arrive in Newport Harbor on Tuesday and will

berth until Jan. 22 at the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum’s stern-wheeler

replica, the Pride of Newport.

The ships, on another six-month tour, will host dockside tours as well

as educational school outings, reenactment cannon battles and training to

be a 18th Century sailor. The crew will be in full period costumes as

they call on 16 ports between San Francisco and San Diego.

Both ships have visited our harbor in the past with great fanfare. The

Hawaiian Chieftain is an 1840s North European Trading Vessel replica and

the Lady Washington is a replica of a Brigantine.

To be part of these adventures, call the Newport Harbor Nautical

Museum at (949) 673-7863, and watch out for pirates.

Lastly, while these vessels are transiting the harbor, I hope all the

boaters will extend a warm welcome and be especially courteous. Both

ships have restricted maneuverability with their length and deep draft.

While in the harbor, it appears that Rule 9 applies in this situation.

Let me explain Rule 9.

Rule 9 is just one of the navigational rules listed in the United

States Coast Guard’s Navigation Rules, International-Inland book

(COMDTINST M16672.x), and actually this book is required to be on board

every vessel that is 39.4 feet (12 meters) in length or greater. An

interesting fact is that that most recreational boaters are unaware of

this requirement, and many boaters have never studied right of way rules

at all.

The rules are divided into two parts -- inland and international --

and the book contains the actions to be taken by operators of vessels to

avoid collision.

Inland Rules apply to vessels operating inside the line of

demarcation, which is the end of the jetties, while international apply

outside the jetties in the ocean.

With that being said, let me review the first section of Rule 9. The

Narrow Channels section is listed under both the headings of

international and inland, and both are basically identical in reading.

Paragraph (a) states: “A vessel proceeding along the course of a

narrow channel or fairway shall keep as near to the outer limit of the

channel or fairway which lies on her starboard side as is safe and

practicable.” In other words, keep your starboard (right) side next to

the shore or the traffic channel just like driving your car on the

streets. How many times have you seen one boater going against the flow

of boats causing confusion for all the oncoming boaters? In practical

terms, pass oncoming boats port to port (left side to left side).

Paragraph (b), one of the most important paragraphs, states: “A

vessel of less than 20 meters in length or a sailing vessel shall not

impede the passage of a vessel that can safely navigate only within a

narrow channel or fairway.” A common sense rule that states if a boat is

over about 65.6 feet (20 meters), then do not impede safe passage of such

vessel. This means that if in a sailboat, do not tack in front of the

vessel and if under power, do not cause the vessel to maneuver to avoid

your actions whether end on, crossing, fishing, anchoring or cruising.

You must keep in mind the actions that the current and wind have upon

these vessels. Even a school of sabots impeding a larger boat can cause

that vessel to drift uncontrollable at low or no speed, making it unable

to maintain steerage for safety.

There are a few more paragraphs in Section 9 that go on with more

about safe passage for the vessels. I will let you read them on your own.

As a side note, I have actually witnessed boats while racing in Long

Beach challenge the large tanker and freighter ships that are underway in

the harbor. Remember an old saying: “Even if you are right, do not be

dead right.”

***

This week’s tip comes from J.R. Means of Bayport Yachts, who knows how

to rid yachts of that sewer-like smell that originates when a boat is

left unattended for a while.

The smell might not be coming from the heads or holding tanks but

instead from the gray water sump pump that is growing mold and bacteria.

The smell from these organisms waft up though the drains of the showers,

tubs and some sink basins since boat drains do not have the normal water

traps like under the sink at your house. He recommends to regularly flush

with fresh water and then add a little soap to keep your boat smelling

fresh.

Safe voyages.

* MIKE WHITEHEAD is the Pilot’s boating and harbor columnist. Send him

your harbor and marine-related thoughts and story suggestions via e-mail

to o7 [email protected] or o7 https://www.BoathouseTV.comf7 .