Thanks to our friends at CruisingWorld Magazine for this great article!
The Rules That Save Lives: Common Sense is a Sailor’s Best Safety Tool
It is every sailor’s responsibility to know the rules of the road and follow them, to prevent collisions and save lives.
By Gary Jobson
April 10, 2025
A diligent lookout and swift reactions can mean the difference between a close call and a disaster.
It’s foggy on a dark night. Our boat is sailing through a narrow channel at 10 knots. We hear a foghorn. Two minutes later, the horn sounds closer.
A few more horns are sounded. Out of the mist, a tugboat appears, crossing our bow at short range. As the vessel passes, I notice a hawser line extending from the stern into the water. I realize the tugboat is towing something.
Instantly, I turn the wheel and sail 180 degrees away from the tugboat. Our crew could hear the waves of an oncoming craft. We watched in horror as the faint outline of a barge slipped past.
Had I not maneuvered away, the barge would have rammed us. The sad episode took place more than 40 years ago, and I still have nightmares about what could have happened.
This near collision is a good example of why every boat should maintain a diligent lookout. In hindsight, we should have altered course earlier, when we first heard the foghorn. We also should have slowed down, communicated with the tugboat via radio, and taken careful bearings of the sound to understand the other vessel’s course.
Rules of the road are important and should be carefully followed. Common sense is the fundamental premise behind the rules that are designed to keep vessels from colliding.
In 1972, the International Maritime Organization wrote the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, or COLREGS. The basic rules for racing yachts are the Racing Rules of Sailing. Still, there are no traffic police on the water. Sailing is “self-regulated.” Major sailboat races often use umpires, either on the water or watching GPS tracks, to make rulings, but outside of tightly controlled races, most sailors are on their own.
Mariners on all vessels are expected to follow COLREGS. Anyone wanting to receive a license to operate a vessel needs to pass a comprehensive test with a 90 percent score. Competitive sailors spend years studying the Racing Rules of Sailing to find tactical advantages. Every four years, World Sailing, the international governing body of sailing, updates the rulebook to make racing more understandable.
But overall, the basic rules are relatively easy to grasp. There are only a handful of fundamental rules that govern what should happen when boats meet.
Crossing Situations
The vessel on starboard tack with the wind coming over the starboard side of the boat has the right-of-way. A port-tack yacht shall give way and stay clear. If two boats under power are heading on a collision course, then both vessels should alter course to starboard and pass on the port side of the boat.
If two boats under power are approaching each other at an angle, then the boat that has another vessel approaching from its starboard side shall keep clear and alter course to pass behind.
Overtaking
A faster boat passing a slower boat shall stay clear of the slower vessel.
Same Tack
When boats are sailing on the same tack, the windward boat (closest to the wind) is required to stay clear of a leeward boat.
Action by the Burdened (Give-Way) Boat
A burdened vessel that does not have the right-of-way shall take early and substantial action to stay clear. A major alteration of course helps the crew of the right-of-way boat recognize that action is being taken to avoid a collision.
Sailing in Confined Waters
Generally, a sailboat has the right-of-way over a powerboat. In restricted waters, a large vessel has the right-of-way over all vessels, including sailboats, because there is little room to maneuver.
I’ve been an officer on the bridge of naval and merchant vessels. It is frightening to see a small sailboat cross your bow and disappear. Sailors should never cross ahead of a large ship. Visibility is limited, and turning or slowing down takes a long time in a large vessel. If the crew of a large vessel believes that a problem is developing with a smaller vessel, they will sound five horn blasts.
Common sense dictates that small vessels must give large vessels room to pass safely. Vessels are required to navigate on the starboard side of a channel.
When Maneuvering
A boat that is tacking or jibing is obligated to stay clear of a boat that is sailing on a straight course.
Person in Charge
The skipper is the person in charge of a boat. The responsibility for sailing safely rests with the skipper.
Many years ago, as a cadet on a merchant training ship while steaming in the mid-Atlantic, I was sent to knock on the captain’s cabin door to alert him that we were on a close course with another vessel. I was nervous about waking him up at 0300. To my relief, he thanked me and went straight to the bridge, where he ordered a change of course.
Keep a Lookout
Good visibility is restricted on sailboats. For example, it is difficult to see to leeward through a headsail. At least one crewmember should always watch for boat traffic. This includes looking on the leeward side of the boat.
If another boat is approaching, it is the obligation of the lookout to inform the helmsperson and skipper about a potential collision. Clear communication is the key to safe passage.
Extreme Situations
If two boats appear to be heading for a collision, then both boats should take every possible action to avoid hitting. The US Coast Guard uses the term “immediate danger” when a close encounter becomes serious. Communications on a VHF radio are helpful when working to avoid a collision. In restricted waters with a lot of traffic, a VHF radio is an important asset. When two boats get close, hail your change in course and speed to the other boat.
Running Lights
The IMO requires vessels to carry lights at night, which is defined as the time between 30 minutes before sunset and 30 minutes after sunrise. Sailing vessels were first required to carry lights by an act of Congress in 1849.
The basic light package for sailing vessels is a green light on the starboard side, a red light on the port side, and a white line on the stern. Vessels smaller than 23 feet are required to carry at least a white light to signal their presence to other vessels at night.
Sailing in Shallow Water
Sailboats have a centerboard or keel to help with stability and the ability to sail a straight course. Sailboats must sail in deeper waters. It is important to stay particularly diligent when boats are navigating shallow waters and allow room for safe navigation.
Aircraft pilots are required to file a flight plan before taking off. Flight controllers monitor air-traffic control to keep people safe. There are no traffic controllers on the inland waters and high seas. Sailors are expected to be diligent on their own.
More: Gary Jobson, Hands-On Sailor, How To, safety at sea, seamanship
Little Harbor 60
Little Harbor Yachts is a renowned brand known for producing high-quality sailing yachts. Founded by Ted Hood in the 1950s, Little Harbor Yachts gained a reputation for building custom and semi-custom sailing yachts that were both luxurious and seaworthy. The company was based in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, and produced a range of yachts, including the Little Harbor 38, 42, 44, 46, 53, and 58 models, among others. These yachts were highly regarded for their craftsmanship, performance, and elegant design, making them popular among sailing enthusiasts and cruising aficionados.
The Little Harbor 60 is a classic sailing yacht known for its luxurious accommodations and excellent sailing performance. These yachts are highly regarded for their craftsmanship and seaworthiness. The 60-foot model offers spacious living areas, typically featuring a master stateroom, guest cabins, a salon, and a well-equipped galley. The yacht’s design allows for comfortable cruising and often includes amenities such as a cockpit for outdoor dining and relaxation.
REDSTART, a central listing with Wellington Yacht Partners, is a pristine Little Harbor 44 Yacht with exceptional performance and shoal draft. This Hood-designed sailing yacht offers a shallow 5’ draft (centerboard up), built to high standards with electric winches and furling mainsail for easy short-handed sailing. Featuring a sought-after two-stateroom/two-head layout, REDSTART provides both privacy and versatility. With only two owners and limited summertime use, she’s been meticulously maintained, including inside winter storage and recent upgrades—new hull and mast paint, sails, electronics, and more. Perfect for those seeking a high-quality, pedigree sailing yacht at a competitive price!”
LAMLASH ~ SOLD in 2023 is a highly customized Little Harbor 58/60 model with one foot added to the standard 58 hull for a longer aft deck, draft reduced by 8” to only 4’ – 6” with centerboard up, and mast height slightly lower (20”) to provide 75’ bridge clearance. She is also one of only two in the series that features a centerline queen berth aft. Like her sisterships, LAMLASH can be easily sailed by one thanks to a cockpit design that is second to none – all sail controls and winches are at the helm, and easy side exits to main deck. She also boasts finely crafted joinerwork above and below decks that is seldom if ever seen in newer yachts today. VIDEO ~ Little Harbor 59 ~ LAMLASH
It may seem like something out of science fiction: unmanned ocean-going ships. However, this futuristic vision is becoming a reality sooner than expected. In a Norwegian fjord, a large, lime-green vessel is undergoing testing, appearing much like any other ship at first glance. Yet, upon closer inspection, it reveals a suite of cutting-edge technology, including cameras, microphones, radars, GPS, and various satellite communication systems.
Read the entire article by Jonathan Amos, Rebecca Morelle and Alison Francis on BBC.com
https://bbc.com/news/science-environment-68486462
Photo credit: BBC/Kevin Church
Decommissioning a yacht for winter involves several important steps to protect the vessel from the harsh weather conditions and ensure that it remains in good condition during the off-season. Below is an article to guide you through the decommissioning process. By following this comprehensive checklist, you’ll help protect your yacht from the winter elements and ensure that it’s ready when the warmer weather returns. Keep in mind that specific requirements may vary based on the type of yacht, its construction, and the local climate, so consult your yacht’s manual and consider seeking professional advice if needed.
“Decommissioning Checklist” ~ By Charles Mason, SAIL Magazine
https://www.sailmagazine.com/diy/decommissioning-checklist
The Sat Comm Wars Are Heating Up – read this article in Cruising Compass about systems of satellites for sailors and the vendors who provide the hardware and software to access the system.
Little Harbor 44
New owner shares his journey to prepare living aboard his Little Harbor 44 in the Chesapeake Bay area.
https://forums.sailinganarchy.com/threads/life-aboard-a-little-harbor-44.240117/
Reprinted with permission from the “On the Wind” column by Chris Caswell. Originally published in SAILING Magazine, copyright March, 2012.
Author Chris Caswell
Coincidence is a funny thing sometimes. I had been musing recently about sailing, which isn’t particularly unusual because I spend way too much of my time thinking about sailing, daydreaming about sailing, and wishing I was sailing. And, of course, I spend a lot of time sailing, too.
But I’d been trying to find a single thread that would explain why I love sailing and it seemed quite impossible because sailing has so many facets. There is daysailing and cruising and racing and just tinkering on your boat. It’s all about wind and sun and water, but I thought there had to be something in common that makes sailing so appealing. Trying to distill that one essence was eluding me.
And then I came across a piece in the New York Times that was discussing the future of marketing to the younger generation and the consensus was one word: stillness.
The point of the article was that, less than a generation after we developed all these devices—from the Internet to cell phones to computers—that would supposedly simplify our lives and give us more free time, we were trying to escape them. They were consuming our lives, and devouring our free time. And that is what the marketing gurus forecast as the trend of the future: getting away.
The light bulb that went on above my head must have been a blinding flash clearly visible for miles. Sailing is about getting away, and that is what I love so much. It doesn’t matter whether you are drifting along aimlessly or thrashing around the buoys, sailing is getting away.
There was a time recently when a fad among hotels was the “Blackberry Detox Weekend,” where guests would stay in an upscale room and actually pay for the requirement to leave their Blackberry or cell phone at the front desk, thus disconnecting themselves for a few days to decompress from our rush-rush life.
The New York Times article pointed out that guests pay more than $2,200 a night to stay at the Post Ranch Inn on California’s Big Sur coast, where one of the selling points is not having a television in the room. There are Internet “rescue camps” springing up to help wean kids off their addiction to video screens of all sizes.
In the Pulitizer-nominated book The Shallows, which is subtitled “What the Internet is doing to our brains,” author Nicholas Carr argues that the Internet has a deleterious effect on both our concentration and our contemplation.
The average American spends more than eight hours in front of a screen, either computer or television, and the hours spent on line literally doubled between 2005 and 2009. According to a Nielsen survey, teenagers send or receive more than 3,300 text messages every month. That works out to more than four messages an hour, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Yipes!
All this massive input of information, coming at us from the computer, from television, from cell phones that ring constantly, has deprived us of the time to actually relax and, to use a word not often heard, to contemplate. And that is exactly the pleasure of sailing.
The New York Times author labeled it “stillness” but sailing, even in a flat calm, isn’t about stillness. There is the sound of the bow wave, perhaps the tap of a line or halyard in the breeze, the rustle of the sails. But sailing allows us to disconnect, to unplug, to actually savor our lives.
The New York Times article cited studies that show how, after test subjects spent time in quiet rural settings, they showed “greater attentiveness, stronger memory, and generally improved cognition.” Their brains became both calmer and sharper.
I know this from personal experience because during my college days I had to make a choice between studying for a final exam in a class in which I wasn’t doing well and sailing in the Snipe Nationals. The Snipe Nationals won, of course, and I didn’t crack a book over the entire weekend. But on Monday morning, I aced the exam with my highest score that semester. The defense rests.
It’s also been pointed out that our world has become increasing uncivil. Road rage is on the uptick, saying thank you has gone out of style, and even holding a door open for another person is a lost gesture. Neuroscientists note that empathy (and, therefore, courtesy) is a function of relaxed neural processes. And there is no time in our oh-so-busy modern society for any relaxation.
Except when you are sailing.
Will sailing cure all of societies ills? Probably not. But sailing is a time when you can take a mental deep breath and let your mind drift, free of interruptions. You can actually have a conversation with your spouse and your family. Even when you are racing, sailing has a calming effect because you are totally focused and there are none of the moment-to-moment irritations of incoming emails or ringing phones.
The marketing gurus may want to sell us getaway weekends, but sailors know they already have that luxury. Just the ability to cast off all your links to the world as easily as you cast off your dock lines is, in itself, a gift.
