Much More On the Rules of the Road
Recently we discussed the increased level of enforcement by the Dana Point Harbor Patrol regarding Personal floatation devices (PFDs, aka "life jackets") always being at hand on all vessels including Personal Watercraft (PWC), especially Stand Up Paddleboards (SUPs). To catch up on this topic, click here.
We've since received feedback from a still growing number of sources, including numerous harbor stakeholders who made it quite clear there was more to be said. All were concerned about the rapidly growing number of personal watercraft (PWC) and the implications to safety on the water. Below are follow-up points that came out of various emails and verbal conversations, as well as research by the DPBA leadership team.
Heads up, you might want to save this email for future reference. There are web links below for most all official and unofficial sources for authoritative information on just about any on-the-water related topic you may be interested in:
1. All vessels, including those vessels classified as PWCs, are governed by US Coast Guard (USCG) regulations. There are no exceptions here, except for paddleboards being used in swimming / wading designated areas (Baby Beach as one, marked by a chain of floatation buoys) and surfing activity within a surf zone. So, whether the PWC is sail (Sabots, etc.), motorized (dinghies and jet skis for example) or human powered (like SUPs), it doesn't matter. It's considered a vessel under the law.
The most noteworthy USCG regulations are known as The COLREGs, often also referred to by boaters as "The Rules of the Road", legally binding for all vessels and vessel operators. Click here to learn more. All vessel operators, including PWC operators should know and honor The COLREGS. The very same logic applies here as when driving any vehicle on a public road.
2. Note that California's Department of Boating and Waterways (DBW) provides the same guidance along with other helpful information on its website "The ABCs of Californian Boating". Click here and go first to Section 3 to learn more on this topic.
3. The US Federal Publishing Office also provides a comprehensive repository addressing all, and we do mean ALL aspects of nautical business, military and recreational on-the-water activities. Click here to learn more but be sure you've got plenty of time. Researching this website could take days.
4. We mentioned SUPs above. Click here is to read a short but informative article that specifically discusses nationwide SUP regulations.
5. Also click here for a short but very informative and helpful list of local SUP FAQs provided courtesy of the DP Harbor Patrol.
But there's still more to be said. There's another point that is prominently noted within The COLREGs:
All vessels are legally required to avoid collision as their first and highest priority.
In other words, whenever it may be necessary (we don't mean absolutely is necessary), forget about right-of-way. Safety comes first! Most all sailboat racers eventually learn this well (some the hard way) but not all vessel operators are sailboat racers. Hence the need to specifically point this out.
We hope we're stating the obvious here by also adding: In addition to other federal, state, regional and local regulations, OC Harbor Patrol is required to enforce The COLREGs, inside the harbor as well as on the open ocean. The same goes for other parties handling nautical insurance and nautically related legal matters. The first question they'll ask is "Did you try to avoid collision as your very first and highest priority?" If not, it's highly likely that you will wish you had.
So also think about above when you see that next single handed sailor struggling to get his jib down in the front of the boat (with his tiller/wheel back at the stern). Or that big powerboat on the channel trying to to get in or out his slip safely with traffic and a cross wind. Or that inexperienced paddler just discovering the joy of being on the water.
It's common sense, it's courteous and considerate, and... it's the law.
For the Board of Directors, the Dana Point Boaters Association,
Rodger Beard
President
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Remember, to keep Dana Point Boaters voice strong, we need your support.
As Revitalization decisions are now being made on the future of your harbor, do you want your comments and opinions heard? Do you want a voice in the room to represent YOU? If so, please help by making a donation to your Dana Point Boaters Association by clicking here!  . |
THANK YOU!
At the Dana Point Boaters Association, our mission is to advocate for the preservation, enhancement, and expansion of affordable recreational boating. We strive to improve the family-friendly atmosphere and breadth of water-oriented activities we all enjoy in our harbor. As Dana Point boater advocates, our strength comes from your support and participation. We are proud of the achievements we've made together on behalf of our boating community, and we won't give up. But we can't do it without you.
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Questions should be directed by email to (Officers). Or call us at (949) 485-5656 and leave a voice mail and we'll get back to you soon.
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The Dana Point Boaters Association advocates the preservation, enhancement, and expansion of affordable recreational boating resources. We work to improve the family friendly atmosphere and breadth of water-oriented actives we all enjoy in the harbor. We serve as the watchdog by ethically protecting the rights of all boaters and representing them when collective action is most effective. We actively gather information and communicate our views to educate boaters, external interests, and public officials. We build and maintain constructive, working relationships to achieve common goals with other harbor stakeholders. We will pass on our harbor to the next generation of recreational boaters in better condition than it is today.
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