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By CAPT Mark Poster, CMI Every mariner needs to be aware of the various buoyage systems in your area of operation, and just as importantly, to obtain whatever local information, such as laws and hazards, that may be helpful for a safe day on the water. Buoys have been around for a long time. The […]
Lake Powell: Bad Buoys and a Neglected System Read More »
By CAPT Mark Poster, CMI The occurrence of vessel collisions raises several pertinent questions: despite the existence of the Navigation Rules, why and how do vessel collisions still happen? Don’t the Navigation Rules exist to direct what proper actions vessels are to take as they approach a “risk of collision” situation? And then, the next
A Chronology of the Rules through the Collision Avoidance Funnel Read More »
By CAPT Mark Poster, CMI Book Review: “Boat Accident Reconstruction and Litigation” Third Edition by Roy Scott Hickman & Michael M. Sampsel, contributing authors Jeanne-Marie D. van Hemmen & Sterling Stires. Table of contents, introduction, 18 chapters with endnotes, appendices, about the authors, index, 512 pp, 6 X 9 inches, originally published in 1999, 2nd
Book Review: “Boat Accident Reconstruction and Litigation” Read More »
Many Marine Law Enforcement and “expert” reports submitted either miss the point of, or don’t understand violations of the Navigation Rules. Specifically, which vessel is at fault, and why is one vessel more at fault than the other? According to the Rules, if both vessels are underway and a collision results, then they are both
Collision Basics: When Three Vessels are involved, who is More at Fault? Read More »
By CAPT Mark Poster, CMI According to the way the Navigation Rules are written, if two vessels are underway (even if not making way) and a collision occurs, then violations can be attributed to both vessels. Most often, however, one vessel will have the majority of violations, or what is known as “causative fault”.
Why don’t all LE Accident Reports include Violations of Both Vessels? Read More »
By CAPT Mark Poster and CAPT Joe Derie Is It Safe To Go Out There? The Beacon, Issue 65 Fall 2021, California Boating Safety Officers AssociationWhile patrolling your harbor, have you ever been asked on a nice summer daywhat the water was like outside the breakwater and if it was all right to go out
Is It Safe To Go Out There? Read More »
Easy PC – Probable Cause Many states do not require PC (Probable Cause) to initiate a vessel stop, and the US Coast Guard is authorized to make random vessel stops. The Coast Guard’s primary law enforcement authority is derived from 14 USC 89 (made law in1949) which states in part, “The Coast Guard may make
Easy PC – Probable Cause Read More »
Farwell’s Rules of the Nautical Road If you are a Coxswain or Instructor teaching NAVRULES, you will want to be familiar with Farwell’s Rules of the Nautical Road, as it is the most authoritative book on the interpretations of the Navigation Rules and is based on case law. Published by the U.S. Naval Institute Press (9 th
Should I Pass that Boat? Read More »
Skill Development Tips & Passenger Safety This article was originally published in Marine Crimes Today – December, 2021 Over the past 30 years, I have taught boating safety education and enforcement courses under many hats: as a USCG Auxiliarist, teaching everyone from the Girl Scouts to the U.S. Marines, as a P.O.S.T. (Peace Officers Standards
Mother and daughter rented two PWC’s (Personal Watercraft), and both attended the rider orientation provided by the rental agency at the lake. A rental agreement, which said in part to follow the safe riding rules, along with the safe riding rules, were signed by both riders. The rental agency had a ski boat and operator
Family PWC Tragedy Read More »