Growing up here in Charleston and navigating around the harbor I have always paid close attention to the other boats around me, and regardless of their size or type of vessel I have always given them the right away. It was not until I attended Sea School some years back that I truly learned the Rules of the Road and the hierarchy of the different types of vessels. Since I operate a power boat, and power boats are 2nd to the lowest on the totem pole, I am still usually the one giving way to the other vessels. However; now that I know the rules I understand why I must give way and I am able to predict which vessels will give way in different situations. Equipped with the ability to predict other vessels actions on the water often times allows me to steer well clear of any potential danger.
The pecking order is most easily remembered using the following slogan: “New Reels Catch Fish So Purchase Some.” The beginning letter of each of the words in this slogan represent a type of vessels. Provided herein are the types of vessels listed in the proper pecking order along with some ways to recognize these types of vessels and understand their place in the hierarchy.
* New – Not under command. This vessel due to an “exceptional circumstance,” usually a mechanical or operational breakdown, is unable to maneuver and therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel. At night these vessels will display a red over red mast head light sequence easily remembered with the phrase, “Red over red the Captain is dead.” During the day these vessels are marked with three black balls on top of each other as their day shape.
* Reels – Restricted in there ability to maneuver. These vessels usually cannot move due to the “nature of their work.” A dredge is a classic example of this type of vessel. These vessels will display red over white over red masthead light sequence easily remembered with the slogan “Red over white over red the work I dread.” During the day these vessels will fly a ball diamond b