Forum: The Racing Rules of Sailing

Solo sailors & rule 5 "Permanent look out"

Catalan Benaros
I love Mini Transat 6.5 races crossing the atlantic ocean....but for solo sailors what about  rule 5 "Permanent look out" of Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs)
Created: 23-Oct-29 14:04

Comments

Yorick Klipfel
Nationality: Switzerland
Certifications:
  • International Measurer
  • Regional Judge
  • Regional Race Officer
-1
The answer is in your question... they can't ! 
Which means they infringe possibly the most important ColReg's rule. 
Solo racing should be restricted to 24h.  
Created: 23-Oct-29 15:34
Gordon Davies
Nationality: Ireland
Certifications:
  • International Judge
0
Any race starting in France must be declared to the maritime authorities who will impose conditions before authorising the race. Up to now they have tolerated single-handed sailing.
For the Mini Transat all boats are required to carry 2 trackers
Created: 23-Oct-29 15:48
P
John Allan
Certifications:
  • National Judge
  • Regional Race Officer
1
There's nothing in IRPCAS Rule 5 about 'permanent'.  Here's the rule.

Rule 5
Look-out
Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision.

The requirement is that the lookout be 'proper', that is, sufficient according to the circumstances.

Whether lookout is proper or sufficient will only ever come into question when there is a collision or a failure to keep out of the way or otherwise manoeuvre as required by the rules, that is when vessels are within sight of or close to each other.

Clearly enough, when there are no other vessels about, it may be sufficient to keep no lookout at all, at least for some periods.

Use of radar and AIS alarms may assist in extending intervals between visual scanning as a lookout.
Created: 23-Oct-29 23:06
Greg O'Keeffe
Nationality: Australia
1
Solo sailors have always faced this challenging issue, mostly successfully due to their high level of skill and commitment to proper seamanship. Now days, AIS is a great asset. However, the recent collision of merchant ships in the North Sea reminds us that there are fully-crewed ships not being sailed in a seamanlike manner. So we sail the seas at our own risk. 
Created: 23-Oct-30 05:18
Catalan Benaros
0
 In 2 weeks
Arkea Ultim Challenge-Brest, the first ever single-handed Ultim round the world race.

ARMEL LE CLÉAC'H  said: "....... and I won't hide from you the fact that sleeping at 35 knots of speed, or even 40, is a lot more complicated than on a monohull "
Created: 23-Dec-23 10:56
[You must be signed in to add a comment]
Cookies help us deliver our services. By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more