Passing on the left - visual signals

[Naughty Cal]

We don't tend to bother with hand signals as they can be easily confused. We just make it blindingly obvious where we are going with our boat by exaggerating the movements of where we are putting it.

[Paul C]

 

I suspect that there is even more chance of a horn signal being misunderstood by a casual user of the canal, for instance an inexperienced hire boater.

 

The boater's handbook is often given to a hirer (sometimes sent or emailed before the holiday) and is normally one of the important documents on board the boat. Yes, there's a minority of poor hirers but I'd say that 90% are responsible, and are interested in learning how to do things properly, so would at least have taken a look at the booklet. It has the sound signals in it.

 

Having said that I don't mind forgiving inexperienced or first time hirers for thier lack of knowledge. Should I extend that compassion to private boat owners who don't like learning the proper rules and feel they can invent thier own set of signals?

[David Mack]

 

I suspect that there is even more chance of a horn signal being misunderstood by a casual user of the canal, for instance an inexperienced hire boater.

True, but at least you can smugly tell the other boater that you have followed the rules and he has not, as you contemplate the scratched paintwork, dented bows, broken windows etc. resulting from both boats going to the same side!

[arcsyst]

Never mind pass on the left, what about the 50/50 calls at narrow bridges there should be some signal for 'giving way' many's the time I've been in a Mexican standoff both waiting for each other then both setting off together on the T&M. I tried a tunnel light flash but no-one (unsurprisingly) gets that.

[MJG]

Nope.

Well the obvious next question is 'why on earth not?'

Never mind pass on the left, what about the 50/50 calls at narrow bridges there should be some signal for 'giving way' many's the time I've been in a Mexican standoff both waiting for each other then both setting off together on the T&M. I tried a tunnel light flash but no-one (unsurprisingly) gets that.

I just hold fast and wave the other boat on.

 

Ed. unless of course the other boater does this first,

Edited July 11, 2014 by The Dog House

[Paul C]

True, but at least you can smugly tell the other boater that you have followed the rules and he has not, as you contemplate the scratched paintwork, dented bows, broken windows etc. resulting from both boats going to the same side!

 

Scratched paintwork I'll accept, but you'd need to drive the boat like an idiot to dent the bow and/or break a window when meeting a boat head on. If there's ambiguity, I'll slow right down, stop if needs be and clarify things with the other boater. No need for conflict etc.

[Guest]

Why would you want to pass on the left anyway?

If I seen any one of you lot waving and pointing and tapping on your chests I'd probably just pull over as I would instantly interpretate your reckless body language as a medical emergency or life in danger.

Really why would you want to pass on the left?

You'd get no change from me, I'd just hold my course.

There are odd times that call for such actions (in my experience.) Sometimes when locking it can make life easier. Another instance can be when coming out of a tight turn, and your boat is heading for the "wrong" side because it can't turn on such a tight radius (probaly the wrong term.) Sod's law dictates that this is when you will meet that boat, not having seen one moving since Christmas

[MtB]

Never mind pass on the left, what about the 50/50 calls at narrow bridges there should be some signal for 'giving way' many's the time I've been in a Mexican standoff both waiting for each other then both setting off together on the T&M. I tried a tunnel light flash but no-one (unsurprisingly) gets that.

 

I just carry on motoring until it becomes clearer who is going to get to the bridge hole first. Often it turns out the other boater decided to slow down in which case I've saved both of us some time messing about each going ever slower and waiting for the other.

 

If they carry on motoring too I'm entirely happy to give way.

 

MtB

[arcsyst]

 

I just carry on motoring until it becomes clearer who is going to get to the bridge hole first. Often it turns out the other boater decided to slow down in which case I've saved both of us some time messing about each going ever slower and waiting for the other.

 

If they carry on motoring too I'm entirely happy to give way.

 

MtB

I'll add that to my 'upon meeting other boats' protocols then!

[Guest]

Well the obvious next question is 'why on earth not?'

 

I just hold fast and wave the other boat on.

 

Ed. unless of course the other boater does this first,

I have found that the other boater and myself wave each other through at exactly the same millisecond! I nearly always "concede" at narrow bridges well in advance now, tuck the bow into the bank a bit to make my intentions obvious and let the other boat through. There is no rush on my part. Works in the majority of cases for me. Can't always do this when it is blowing a hooley of course.

Edited July 11, 2014 by Guest

[Guest]

 

I suspect that there is even more chance of a horn signal being misunderstood by a casual user of the canal, for instance an inexperienced hire boater.

Or by somebody like me who is going deaf, and has to ask the first mate how many times the horn blew

[MJG]

I have found that the other boater and myself wave each other through at exactly the same millisecond! I nearly always "concede" at narrow bridges well in advance now, tuck the bow into the bank a bit to make my intentions obvious and let the other boat through. There is no rush on my part. Works in the majority of cases for me.

True, often happens and when driving too, I think then it's just a judgement call, but I normally hold my ground and wave them on (or when driving flash my lights) again.

 

(And yes before any smart Alec comments I know flashing your lights is not recognised in the Highway Code)

[Guest]

The alternative is to do what a pleasant (sarcastic mode) guy did on the Shroppie a couple of weeks ago and simply ram the other boat out of the way because he considered he had waited "long enough" for the boat to move. His parting shot was "If yer won't move, I'll push yer out of the fu**in' way!" When the steerer on the other boat protested that he was trying to reverse but had run aground, the intelligent one replied, "Bollo*ks!"

True, often happens and when driving too, I think then it's just a judgement call, but I normally hold my ground and wave them on (or when driving flash my lights) again.

(And yes before any smart Alec comments I know flashing your lights is not recognised in the Highway Code)

Yes I tend to wait these days.

 

Funny how flashing lights is accepted on the road by many, yet not "official." I had a cop car flash me through once.

[MJG]

 

Funny how flashing lights is accepted on the road by many, yet not "official." I had a cop car flash me through once.

It's interesting when driving in France because over there it tends to mean 'I'm coming through'

 

So if a French driver ever does it we always wait. It also explains why they don't pull out when you flash them.

Edited July 11, 2014 by The Dog House

[jodansgang]

Somebody beat me to it Dog. Having said that I did wonder at the time if I should get involved as we are livaboards and are always in the area and not just passing through. Could of been more agro further down the line for us and, as society lives in fear now, being cowardly has become quite a useful defensive tool.

[Mike Tee]

 

I just carry on motoring until it becomes clearer who is going to get to the bridge hole first. Often it turns out the other boater decided to slow down in which case I've saved both of us some time messing about each going ever slower and waiting for the other.

 

If they carry on motoring too I'm entirely happy to give way.

 

MtB

 

 

I just carry on motoring until it becomes clearer who is going to get to the bridge hole first. Often it turns out the other boater decided to slow down in which case I've saved both of us some time messing about each going ever slower and waiting for the other.

 

If they carry on motoring too I'm entirely happy to give way.

 

MtB

The sensible way to do it

 

eta - now how did that happen?

Edited July 11, 2014 by Mike Tee

[Rob-M]

Why would you want to pass on the left anyway?

If I seen any one of you lot waving and pointing and tapping on your chests I'd probably just pull over as I would instantly interpretate your reckless body language as a medical emergency or life in danger.

Really why would you want to pass on the left?

You'd get no change from me, I'd just hold my course.

When you are on a butty with a line going to the tow path pulling you along and the boat coming towards you can't see it and they are not going to be able to get there roof full of crap under it. I gave a multitude of hand signals (no horn on the butty) and steered towards the bank but there was still a last minute full on bow thruster moment for the on coming boat when he finally realised he wasn't going to pass me on the right.

[Guest]

It's interesting when driving in France because over there it tends to mean 'I'm coming through'

 

So if a French driver ever does it we always wait. It also explains why they don't pull out when you flash them.

Interesting. I think that technically a headlight flash is supposed to warn somebody of your presence in the UK but we have evolved it into something different?

[David Mack]

Scratched paintwork I'll accept, but you'd need to drive the boat like an idiot to dent the bow and/or break a window when meeting a boat head on. If there's ambiguity, I'll slow right down, stop if needs be and clarify things with the other boater. No need for conflict etc.

You might, but does the other boater always slow down, stop and clarify things?

 

Doing my boating on an unconverted Large Woolwich, the top guard around the bow is at about the same height as the average clonecraft window, so if you approach another boat at even a slight angle, there is a risk of scraping down the cabin side (rather than the hull) or putting out a window. Less of an issue now since we added some ballast towards the fore end, but it is a good reason to slow down when approaching one of those uncertain situations that sometimes arise.

[Paul C]

You might, but does the other boater always slow down, stop and clarify things?

 

Doing my boating on an unconverted Large Woolwich, the top guard around the bow is at about the same height as the average clonecraft window, so if you approach another boat at even a slight angle, there is a risk of scraping down the cabin side (rather than the hull) or putting out a window. Less of an issue now since we added some ballast towards the fore end, but it is a good reason to slow down when approaching one of those uncertain situations that sometimes arise.

 

Yes so far, but of course one day I might meet an exceptionally idiotic/stupid/agressive/violent/reckless boater, it seems others on the thread have done. I've always managed to "de-conflict" a meeting boats' situation in a reasonably amicable way.

 

Of course, it goes without saying I am not putting you into the idiotic boater group but may I ask - given you are well aware of the Woolwich's bow height in relation to most other boats' windows on the canal network, do you drive it carefully so as to avoid damaging others' boats?

[Phil Ambrose]

As I've said before, there is a case for adopting the continental Blue Board.

Phil

[David Mack]

Of course, it goes without saying I am not putting you into the idiotic boater group but may I ask - given you are well aware of the Woolwich's bow height in relation to most other boats' windows on the canal network, do you drive it carefully so as to avoid damaging others' boats?

Of course. But sometimes other boaters don't always understand the limitations this may place on what I can and can't do.

[Laurie Booth]

All you need to know about passing on the left, see chapter 47.

 

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Avoid-Huge-Ships-John-Trimmer/dp/0870334336/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

 

Edited July 11, 2014 by Laurie.Booth

[Dharl]

Deep Sea Col Regs state that you can use a light to flash the same as your horn to indicate your planned manoeuvring. A lot of ships have the HORN linked to an all round white light on top of the mast.

 

However on the cut I can see that Sounding your horn 2 short blasts and the light at the same time as well as attempt to drive your vessel with any sense is tricky to say the least. Tried it once on a hire boat and ended up in the trees, to add to insult the 'Working boat" had no idea what I meant! Back to square one with making a positive manoeuvre and trusting that the other 'guy' understands what I am doing.

 

As to possible reasons WHY you would want to pass "green to green" , 1 option is if you are planning to enter a marina on your right hand side and need to swing to the left before turning right!

[bizzard]

Deep Sea Col Regs state that you can use a light to flash the same as your horn to indicate your planned manoeuvring. A lot of ships have the HORN linked to an all round white light on top of the mast.

 

However on the cut I can see that Sounding your horn 2 short blasts and the light at the same time as well as attempt to drive your vessel with any sense is tricky to say the least. Tried it once on a hire boat and ended up in the trees, to add to insult the 'Working boat" had no idea what I meant! Back to square one with making a positive manoeuvre and trusting that the other 'guy' understands what I am doing.

 

As to possible reasons WHY you would want to pass "green to green" , 1 option is if you are planning to enter a marina on your right hand side and need to swing to the left before turning right!

It might be best and good manners to wait until the oncomIng boat has passed by before carrying out such a manoeuvre, its a fairway, not your road so to speak. as it would not be your road to do similar if driving a vehicle on the highway. On more than one occasion I've had goons do similar manoeuvres, very suddenly with no warning right slap bang close in front me whilst I've had boats in tow, crash bang wallop.