[Paddlewise] USCG response on Rules of the Road

After looking at the US Coast Guard site on the Rules of The Road, I 
couldn't find any rule giving paddle powered vessels the right of 
way, either.  Paddle powered craft are clearly "vessels," but no rule 
requires either motor vessels or sailing vessels to give way to 
them.  Since the Coast Guard site had a form for making inquiries 
about applicable rules of the road, I submitted the obvious inquiry.  
Here, to add the to confusion, is the US Coast Guard's reply, which 
is that human powered vessels _do_ have right of way.  I do not know 
what this is worth in admiralty court, but here it is . . .


------- Forwarded Message Follows -------
From:          "Marx, Barbara" <BMarx_at_comdt.uscg.mil>
To:            "'kcoplan_at_genesis.law.pace.edu'" <kcoplan_at_genesis.law.pace.edu>
Subject:       RE: Web Inquiry Email
Date:          Wed, 9 Jun 1999 07:47:11 -0400 


Mr. Coplan, vessels operated by oars or paddles always have the right of
way.  It would be extremely difficult to move a "human powered" vessel out
of the way of a speeding vessel.

Thanks for your interest.
> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Wysock, Mary LTJG 
> Sent:	Monday, June 07, 1999 4:44 PM
> To:	Marx, Barbara
> Cc:	LaRue, Edward
> Subject:	FW: Web Inquiry Email
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From:	kcoplan_at_genesis.law.pace.edu [SMTP:kcoplan_at_genesis.law.pace.edu]
> Sent:	Wednesday, June 02, 1999 4:36 PM
> To:	MWysock_at_comdt.uscg.mil
> Subject:	Web Inquiry Email
> 
> 
> 
> 
> This form was submitted from http://www.uscg.mil/vtm/pages/rules.htm#FAQ
> on 6/2/99.
> 
> The following information was submitted:
> 
> The "[MessageType]" about  "Navigation Rules (Vessels in any condition of
> visibility)" is:
> 
> "Does a human powered vessel (oar or paddle) not in a restricted channel
> have right of way over vessels under power or sail?"
> 
> Personal Information submitted:
> 
> Name:  "Karl Coplan"
> E-mail: "kcoplan_at_genesis.law.pace.edu"
> Telephone:  "[UserTel]"
> FAX: ""


Professor Karl S. Coplan
Pace Environmental Litigation Clinic, Inc.
78 North Broadway
White Plains, N.Y.  10603
kcoplan_at_genesis.law.pace.edu
(914) 422-4343
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