COLREG Survey - Familiarity with sailboat day signals

[kalel20]

Neglection of sailboat day signal

Greetings. I would kindly ask you to please take a minute to complete a questionnaire that aims to test your knowledge of Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea regarding the use of day signals on sailing vessels.

The Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea These Rules are adopted in order to maintain adequate level of safety of navigation at sea and they show that the day shapes required by these Rules are the integral part of sailing rules, and seafarers should always obey them during their stay at sea.

The research is conducted anonymously, and we would ask you to answer the questions honestly. It will only take you a few minutes to fill out the questionnaire. We sincerely thank you for your participation and time.

To complete a questionnaire please click on the link: https://forms.gle/toeYAAQL1u63bjAf9

Thank you for your co-operation.

I work at a Maritime Faculty in Europe and we are conducting a research to find out how often do skippers use day signal while sailing. We are observing traffic in a channel and with a questionnaire we are checking if the sailors don't follow the rules because they don't know them or they are just disregarding them. By observing the traffic it can be seen that some of the Rules are not obeyed, mostly regarding the exhibition of day signals.

 

[Mid]

@kalel20 please come back with the results .

 

[Zonker]

In N. America I am going to say NOBODY uses day shapes on sail boats. I've seen maybe 1 anchor ball in decades of sailing.

 

[bloodshot]

I've heard rumors of the USCG citing RC boats at anchor not displaying the anchor ball

 

[hdra]

@kalel20 you going to share any info about why you're conducting this survey and who it's for? Familiarity with the rules doesn't mean you're going to follow them. Do you have some sort of weird axe to grind over day shapes?
I think the only place I've ever put up a motoring cone motor sailing is in the Kiel Canal, because rumor on the docks was that the germans were sticklers for rules and actually were fining people for it. In the US, no one does it, and no seems to expect anyone to, so it's sort of a moot point.

 

[AnIdiot]

@kalel20 Would you mind clarifying whether you want responses worldwide? Your survey looks as if it originates from the USA but you don't state that, nor where you want to collect data from. I would expect wide variations internationally according to local custom and enforcement. Though the rules may be international, compliance may not be.

 

[Monkey]

I've heard rumors of the USCG citing RC boats at anchor not displaying the anchor ball

I always put it out, but frequently forget to take it down until I notice it back at the dock. Oops!

 

[slug zitski]

I use the anchor ball all the time

The motoring triangle is only used in Germany, Netherlands … they enforce the law

The day shape chart… towing , fishing , not under command….. is posted in the nav station for crew to consult

 

[Go Left]

I always thought the ball shape was only used when the bowman was fucking the owner's daughter. Two balls if its on the brand new A 1.5 kite.

Is there a shape for the helmsman is getting a blow job from the french toast girl while underway?

 

[kalel20]

@kalel20 please come back with the results .

When I collect and process all the information I will post back the results.

 

[El Borracho]

I always put it out, but frequently forget to take it down until I notice it back at the dock. Oops!

Yup. I now hang it where visible from the helm. Only one extra trip forward.

 

[kalel20]

@AnIdiot, @hdra, I am based in Europe in Mediterranean. I work at University and we are conducting a research to find how often do skippers use day signal while sailing and use engine at the same time. With this questionnaire we are checking if the sailors don't follow the rules because they don't know them or they are just disregarding them. By observing the traffic it can be seen that some of the Rules are not obeyed, mostly regarding the exhibition of day signals. When I collect and process all the information I will post back the results.

 

[Monkey]

Yup. I now hang it where visible from the helm. Only one extra trip forward.

My problem is that I always put it in that flag holder right in front of the T-top because it keeps it out of the way of all the flags. It’s a ball on a stick. Unfortunately, then I can’t see it from the helm. Someday I’ll learn.

 

[slug zitski]

Typically the ball and anchor light are on the same string

Just hoist

 

[slug zitski]

My problem is that I always put it in that flag holder right in front of the T-top because it keeps it out of the way of all the flags. It’s a ball on a stick. Unfortunately, then I can’t see it from the helm. Someday I’ll learn.

View attachment 557128

On motor boat the ball in on the bow pulpit ….some kinda stick socket arrangement like a flag pole

 

[Monkey]

On motor boat the ball in on the bow pulpit ….some kinda stick socket arrangement like a flag pole

I don’t put it on the bow because I use the forward flag holders for assorted course change flags where they’re the most visible as boats approach the leeward mark. It’s no big deal, I just have to not be dumb and forget.

 

[ryley]

I'm not sure why this survey focused really on two shapes. In boston harbor, the anchored commercial ships and barges always show the ball at anchor, but I don't think I've seen one on a pleasure craft. Not sure I've ever seen except maybe on some pretentious megayacht the cone when motorsailing, and I know I don't own one.

 

[Zonker]

theory: Original poster works for USCG and wants justification for writing huge tickets to pleasure boats - "nobody is using their day shapes properly"

 

[climenuts]

In the PNW I have never seen a recreational vessel fly a day shape. I have been hounded by Vancouver Port Authority boats for not flying an inverted cone between first & second narrows despite being under 9m and not legally requiring one.

I'd be surprised if anyone on this forum has a cone on their boat.

I think a ball is useful for RC boats or others which anchor in odd places.

 

[slug zitski]

In the PNW I have never seen a recreational vessel fly a day shape. I have been hounded by Vancouver Port Authority boats for not flying an inverted cone between first & second narrows despite being under 9m and not legally requiring one.

I'd be surprised if anyone on this forum has a cone on their boat.

I think a ball is useful for RC boats or others which anchor in odd places.

In a collision, if you have not obeyed the rules you loose