Sleeping at sea

[sailingdog]

I'd point out that the OP's post seems to be asking about what to do on open water passages, not coastal cruising. There's a big difference between the two, since during a coastal passage, you can generally find an anchorage, marina, or some other haven for the night. On a bluewater passage, sailing through is really your only option—whether you heave-to, set a sea anchor, reef the sails and set the autopilot, or lie ahull. In all of these cases, you are still technically underway, and as such, responsible for avoiding collisions.

One possible solution is to lie ahull or heave-to and run the signals for a VESSEL NOT UNDER COMMAND. I don't know if this is legal, but from what I've read, it may be a possibility.

[sailingdog]

Umm...might want to brush up on day shapes again. Believe it is an INVERTED CONE that is required when motorsailing, not a DIAMOND. Also, the anchoring dayshape is a BLACK BALL, not a BLACK CIRCLE. A black circle would not be a solid shape, just an outline.

Circle: O
Ball: •

Originally Posted by Cruisingdad

Oh, and let us not forget, when motorsailing, how many of you display a black diamond? How many of you even know what I am talking about? You just broke the law. And when anchored during teh day, how many Americans (it is more accepted in Europe) display a black circle? Oops. You just broke the law again. And if you did display the black circle when anchored, how many around you would even know what the heck it was for????

Incidentally, the black circle is a rule I tend to agree with and I do display. But I have NEVER, in however many decades of boating, ever seen another boat display one. I am the only one.

Brian

[ottos]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

There are no lights that are specified for a singlehanded sailor getting sleep.

Agreed, but more generally what about 'red over red' - vessel not under command?

Edit - Never mind, you posted while I was reading and posting.

One possible solution is to lie ahull or heave-to and run the signals for a VESSEL NOT UNDER COMMAND. I don't know if this is legal, but from what I've read, it may be a possibility.

.

[smackdaddy]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

The argument that a singlehander is presenting any real danger, given the average speed of most sailboats, the fact that they're far out to sea in mostly unpopulated waters, and usually in relatively small boats is pure idiocy.

Hey, dude, take it up with the COLREGS, not me.

Anyway, you're looking at the potential problem backwards. It's not about a sailboat sinking a tanker. It's about a singlehander creating an unattended hazard for not only other ships, but himself and potentially SAR.

If that tanker runs you down and sinks your boat while you're asleep, then your EPIRB squawks and calls in SAR, you've now greatly increased the costs and potential liabilities across the board...because you were breaking the rule.

Then that leads to the whole discussion of whether singlehanders should carry an EPIRB at all, then the COLREG Elephant starts running around the room and we've got pandemonium.

Rules is rules.

[Cruisingdad]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Umm...might want to brush up on day shapes again. Believe it is an INVERTED CONE that is required when motorsailing, not a DIAMOND. Also, the anchoring dayshape is a BLACK BALL, not a BLACK CIRCLE. A black circle would not be a solid shape, just an outline.

Circle: O
Ball: •

Picky picky picky!!!!

It would be itneresting to run a poll on who actuallyo uses these or even knows what tehy are for!!! I may have to do that.

[bljones]

Additionally, how many hang a radar reflector? It's great to HAVE radar to see other vessels, but it doesn't hurt to make your own signature easier for them to see.

[smackdaddy]

Originally Posted by Cruisingdad

Picky picky picky!!!!

It would be itneresting to run a poll on who actuallyo uses these or even knows what tehy are for!!! I may have to do that.

Ooooohhhhh - busted! Don't you hate that! Right in the middle of your smarmy, and aide leans in and whispers in your ear. Heh-heh.

This is what I fly when motorsailing...

[Tempest]

The inverted cone for Sailboats are not required for vessels under 12 meters.
However I carry one on my 34' vessel and use it if Motor Sailing. Whether or not anyone knows what it means is another issue.

@ SD, the Op's original question appeared to be a Blue water question but then he amended to say a inside a mile of commercial traffic lanes, which implies that he's coastal cruising around NJ, NY, DE.

I agree that while it's a violation of the Rules to sleep at sea ( blue water) we all know that it happens. How to minimize the risk of collision with another vessel could be accomplished in a number of ways. Showing lights or shapes for a NUC would make sense in addition to any alarms you could set.
Of course, collisions with other ships aren't the only dangers out there.

[nasomi]

Ooh, i didn't mean anchor in the shipping lane, but a mile away from the shipping lane in the direction of shore. Sorry, i didn't mean to confuse.

[NCountry]

This discussion brings an interesting question. If we're going to follow the "rules" shouldn't we follow all of them?
If would be very convenient if we could pick and choose the rules we want to follow not to mention how entertaining it could be.
"Uh dude.... we're not following the no pot rule on our boat"
"That's OK man, I just woke up from 12 hours of being racked while under autopilot.... uh, where we at dude?"
"Not sure exactly but my guess is we're right in front of an oil tanker and he's headed straight for us. Based on the size of his bow wake I'ld say we got about 2 minutes."
"Far out man, wonder which rules he decided to follow?"
"I've been watching him for about 12 minutes now and I think they threw out the one about boating under the influence. Not to mention that it looks like a huge barrel of rum on his decks. Hey, are those naked women dancing on top of the barrel?"
"Wow man..... I dunno....Hey dude, ya think he's seen us yet?"
"Quick, throw out an anchor and turn on the anchor light. That way if he hits us he can be a fault."
"Ya think he's following that rule?"