A boat that is hove-to is not qualified to be considered Not Under Command by the COLREGS—it is considered to be underway and as such responsible for keeping a proper watch and responsible for obeying the COLREGS in their entirety.
From the
COLREGS:
Quote:
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(f) The term "vessel not under command" means a vessel which through some exceptional circumstance is unable to maneuver as required by these Rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel.
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Taking a nap or sleeping is not an EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCE, nor is the boat unable to manuever... merely releasing the
jib sheet or turning the tiller will generally allow it to resume sailing normally. Please do not post wrong information about the COLREGS.
Also, I'd point out that most modern boats will not heave-to and come to a complete stop, but will forereach at about 1-1.5 knots as a general rule.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mokusiga
Sounds dangerous to me too.
Heaving to by definition means stopping the boat. Fore reaching at less than 0.25 kts is about it but if you can get the yacht to stop and drift sideways, then you are hove to.
Technically the vessel is not under command as per the colregs.
You also mention that the vessel sailed like this for hours.... were you asleep for hours, at sea, in costal waters???
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__________________
Sailingdog
Telstar 28
New England
You know what the first rule of sailing is? ...Love. You can learn all the math in the 'verse, but you take
a boat to the sea you don't love, she'll shake you off just as sure as the turning of the worlds. Love keeps
her going when she oughta fall down, tells you she's hurting 'fore she keens. Makes her a home.
—Cpt. Mal Reynolds, Serenity (edited)
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