Safe Boating Forum

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Francodoesboat2

Member
Joined
May 15, 2007
RO Number
26297
Messages
27
I'm a newbie to this site, and in surfing through the various forums, have gained a good bit of knowledge. Although a boater for many years, I am always interested in reviewing safe boating tips, but for some reason, I cannot access the "Safe Boating Forum". I would have thought that a link called Boater education would make this area almost a Must read area.

Is there an area where I can read stuff like proper passing in a narrow channel, or even basic rules of the road? I've taken Coast Guard classes, but that was about 20 years ago and its alway good to refresh and review.

Thanks
KKKKFL
 
I believe that is area of the site that can only be opened after you "donate" $20.00 to the forum.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Capt. Bill1

I believe that is area of the site that can only be opened after you "donate" $20.00 to the forum.

Click to expand...
Franco, use the drop down RO menu and you will find "rules of road". The forum mentioned has not had a new post since Nov. 2006 and contains these same rules. Questions are generally asked and answered here for the benefit of all (donor or not). If you have a question, feel free to post here. Thanks from one boater to another for being interested and caring. Wishing you a safe and great boating season..Stan
 
Thanks, found the CG rules of the road as you list. Its a PDF, that I can re-read. I guess its not quite what I was looking for but will do for the moment. What would be nice is a moderated forum where folks post questions or have discussions about safety issues, and boat handling. Here's and example: Last weekend my 18yr old son asked, "Dad, what's the distance between the red and green markers? Is it standard, or what do they do to determine how far apart they are placed?" A real good question that I could not answer, although its probably related to visibility.

KKKKFL
 
Franco, Your question is what is usually asked in this forum (Ask the Captain) as Estimator mentioned.
You'll find you can ask anything in here that is boating related. For more specific items, ie...engines, plumbing, Les has created specific areas for those.

Welcome aboard.
 
If you mean distance between a red marker and a green marker, it depends on the width of the channel. If you mean the distance between two red markers, I think it's just arbitrary on the part of the Coast Guard (or whoever maintains them), depending on the "shape" of the channel (the more bends and twists, the closer markers are to each other).
 
I think my son was questioning red to red, or green to green, when its a wide channel and straight. We were on the Chesapeke south of the Annapolis/Bay Bridge, and they looked to be about a mile apart on the chart. Most of our boating is up and down the Potomac in the vicinity of the Occoquan and south. Markers are fairly closely spaced and visible each to the next, although its usually red to green to red etc. My answer, "Based on visibility" seems to be the most logical. Thanks for the responses..
KKKKFL
 
"Here's and example: Last weekend my 18yr old son asked, "Dad, what's the distance between the red and green markers? Is it standard, or what do they do to determine how far apart they are placed?" A real good question that I could not answer, although its probably related to visibility."
--

Actually, the markers are spaced based on the width of the deeper, preferred channel and also on the anticipated usage of the channel. When that channel is a man-made dredged channel this usually produces straight channels; when the channel is a natural deeper scouring, the channel can bend and also vary in width, though they tend to keep the channel width about the same, even if the good water extends beyond the marked area. If you look at the text on paper charts, the "design depth" and width are often listed. In this case, these are the surveyed measurements and are often the official minimum dimensions maintained by the managing authority, usually the US Corps of Engineers.
 
if you have questions post them here or the rule of the road forum. this site is moderated and you'll quickly find that most members are very helpful and knowledgeable in answering questions.

red to red / green to gree distance will vary based on dangers among other things. in failry narrow channels, they will be placed closely spaced but in larger bodiers of water they maybe miles apart and located to mark a shoal for instance.
 
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