"Jeff Morris" jeffmo@NoSpam-sv-lokiDOTcom wrote in message ...
Oh, I see your problem ... you memorized a mnemonic and now think that everything in the
rules depends on the pecking order. Well surprise! There is no pecking order! There
happens to be one rule where several relationships are described. These standon/giveway
relationships have been dubbed the "pecking order" but only apply in certain situations -
In particular, they only apply in conditions of normal visibility.

You are correct that towboats are not mentioned, and thus, in normal visibility towboats
have no priority unless the declare themselves a RAM, often referred to as an "unruly
tow."

Exactly as I said. Towboats ain't doodly-squat unless they declare
themselves a RAM and show the lights and shapes of a RAM.
Otherwise a towboat is just another motorboat and is at the
bottom of the pecking order. A sailboat is the stand-on vessel
and a towboat is the give-way vessel with respect to the pecking
order.


BTW, you imply here, and state explicitly on you web site, that a NUC is higher on the
pecking order than a RAM. There is nothing in the rules that says that.

A NUC is the highest vessel in the pecking order. In a situation where
a NUC and a RAM are interacting other than an overtaking situation
the NUC is the stand-on vessel and the RAM is the give-way vessel.


However, the pecking order has no bearing whatsoever in Restricted Visibility. There are
different rules and different signals. In this case, the "sound signals in restricted
visibility" often called fog signals, are defined in rule 35. You even quoted it (below)
and noted that it included "vessel engaged in towing other vessels" in the list of vessel
that must use "long-short-short" signals in the fog - hampered vessels according to
Farwell. What could be clearer than that?

This is where you are incorrect. There is a pecking order in
restricted visibility. All vessels that sound the one prolonged/
two short blasts signal are not to be impeded by any vessel
that sounds the one prolonged or two prolonged signal. Rule
8 states this very clearly. It just so happens that Rule 35 gives
a vessel towing the mandate to sound the signal of a RAM
so it becomes a defacto RAM in restricted visibility even
though it may not be a RAM in in-sight situations. This measure
was put in place because of the danger of hawsers and vessels
being towed far behind the towboat that would present a danger
to a vessel who can not see what is going on like it can is
in-sight situations. It does not, in any way, detract from the
meaning of the pecking order.

The fact remains that all vessels in a fog that hear the fog
signal of one prolonged/two short blasts must not impede
and must take action to avoid a close quarters situation.

It this isn't a pecking order in a fog then I'm a Pumpernickle
loaf.

Here, allow me to diagram the restricted visibility pecking order.

1) NUC, RAM (includes towing), CBD, Fishing (includes trawing,
long-lining, seinging etc.), Sailing,

2) Power boat


I hope this helps

S.Simon