Re: [Paddlewise] Collision, almost

>From: Bhansen97_at_aol.com
Only
>one shell was near me, and I moved far toward the right side of the channel
>to give them plenty of room. They were really "booking"! Woudn't ya know 
>it,
>when they were about 20 yards from me they suddenly (!) veered to their 
>left,
>aiming right at me. Like Nick, I powered out of their way, and collision 
>was
>just barely avoided.

I'm no lawyer, but given that the collision regulations (a.k.a. "the rules 
of the road) require, among other things, that:

1. an adequate watch be kept from every boat
2. the master must stay aware of developing collision risk situations, and 
take early and appropriate action to avoid collision

it sounds to me that any folks on a rowing shell (unless they had a 
forward-facing cox'/steersman) would have a hard time proving they did 
either of these things in the event of a collision. A great consolation, I'm 
sure, to you, or your estate, as they sued.

Philip Torrens
N49°16' W123°06'


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