Solo Circumnavigation

Larry wrote:
> Scott Sexton <no DeleteThis @spam.here> wrote in
> news:MPG.22bf8c85f21449b69896a0@news- server.austin.rr.com:
>
>> http://www.zacsunderland.com/blog/2008_06_14_archive.html
>
> Why doesn't the CG enforce the laws requiring you to "keep a sharp
> lookout at all times" and stop these insane thrill seekers, so they
> don't have to look for them later?

I just returned from a 2 month "insane thrill-seeking" single-handed cruise
to Bermuda. It was my third "insane thrill-seeking" such cruise since 1987,
and I recommend it to those with the inclination. However getting back to
Larry's question, how exactly could the Colregs be enforced in situations
like this, since one cannot usually be apprehended for a crime one might
commit in the future? That is, most of the time single-handers are awake
and therefore at least capable of keeping a lookout and being in compliance.
Is the USCG supposed to listen carefully for snoring, and then pounce?


--
Good luck and good sailing.
s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat
http://home.comcast.net/~kerrydeare

On Jul 13, 5:20 am, "Armond Perretta"
<newsgrouprea....TakeThisOut@REMOVEbigfoot.com> wrote:
>... However getting back to
> Larry's question, how exactly could the Colregs be enforced in situations
> like this, since one cannot usually be apprehended for a crime one might
> commit in the future?  ...

Well, they have a manifestly unsafe provision that they can call out
preemptively. And, for the purposes of the Merchant Marine they don't
officially allow anyone to keep watch more than 12 hours out of 24 --
though I know the inter-island tugs crews in Hawaii routinely break
this rule. So, I suppose they could just declare all single handed
voyages over 12 hours illegal. Unlike Larry, I'm stoked that they
don't. My feeling is that lots of single handers keep pretty good
watches eg http://www.sodebo-voile.com/actu/news/eng/265-THE-FINAL-1-000-MILES-FA...APPROAC
(http://tinyurl.com/6m74te). With good training and, perhaps, good
drugs, professional single handers have virtually done away with sleep
and are keeping watch. That's more than can be said of a lot of
fully crewed vessels...

-- Tom.