T&T: you may really hear a whistle

[Jeffrey Siegel]

> Or, you could just learn and follow the existing rules.
> 

That's not fair.  I never said that existing rules shouldn't be followed.
In fact, I wrote about how I review the whistle/signal protocols every few
months just so I don't have to think about them (overtaking another vessel
is always confusing in my opinion).  I use my horn to make signals but I
also NEVER rely on the signals because if you're out in recreational waters
you'll find that few, if any, understand or acknowledge them properly.

Maybe it's different in other places but from Maine through Key West I'd
estimate that 80% of the recreational boats don't respond to whistle
signals.  Heck, 30% of boats don't respond to a VHF hailing (60% of
sailboats in my experience along the ICW don't respond).  Learning and
following the rules is great but if no one else is doing it, you need to
find another way.  Getting someone on the VHF and saying, "let's pass on
one" is just asking for a collision.  It's much better to say, "let's pass
port-to-port."

==================================
Jeffrey Siegel
M/V aCappella
DeFever 53PH
W1ACA/WDB4350
Castine, Maine

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Cruising blog to Abacos & Maine:
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