'Something's gotta give': Mukilteo ferry captain asks boaters to steer clear

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

EDMONDS — On Puget Sound, five short blasts of a ship’s horn blare across the water.

The source? Capt. Russell Fee, behind the wheel of the state ferry Spokane.

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“If you hear that coming from a ferry, look up,” Fee said. “It might even involve you.”

-snip-

A large ferry like the Spokane takes at least 90 seconds to come to a complete stop, Fee said. If a pleasure craft failed to move out of the way in time, it could cause serious disruptions or even a collision.

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/somethings-gotta-give-mukilteo-ferry-captain-asks-boaters-to-steer-clear/

[Dennis Donovan]

1. Having transversed NY Harbor, I learned to steer clear of the SI Ferries

They're not so maneuverable.

[RainCaster]

2. The five blast 'moron alert'

I've heard that so many times while boating. Those skippers can lose their license for a collision that is outside their control. I've helped ferry workers to capture errant amateur skippers who cut off a ferry, then ducked into my marina to hide.

[getagrip_already]

3. Colregs govern ship encounters, but the rule of tonnage prevails

The bigger ship is always going to win in a collision.

But the last line in the colregs, after all the rules on who is the stand on or give wsy vessel (its not right of waynon thevwater), is a catch all phrase to avoid collisions regardless of any other provision.

As for ferries being bullies on purpose, yeah, some do, but if you hail them they are always very accomodating. Its surprises they dont like.