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Comment by 082349872349872 | Hacker News Reader

Sorry, I'd thought you were referring to navy (non-commercial) ships.

Cue the I'm an admiral / I'm a lighthouse "give way" joke[1]. As of 2020 we've learned (open source: reuters) that naval vessels may be deadly in hot wars, but don't do so well in full and frank discussions ('shouldering' when grey on grey) with either cargo vessels or arctic-hulled vessels.

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPqtwV5utUY

Back in fax-spam days, the USN even officially responded to this joke:

“The first time I heard of it was — oh, let’s see, how long — about 10 years ago or so, I think. That story’s so old,” [LANTFLT spokesman, Cmdr. Kevin] Wensing said, “it probably started out back in the galleon days, or back when there was a big lighthouse at Alexandria, Egypt.”

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Not sure about true data, but i could imagine that cargo vessels are involved in a majority of accidents on sea. They are - fast - like really fast. You cannot outrun them with your sailboat, even with engines. And they won't change course, because they cant. If they turn the rudder, they need to wait for some 2 miles for it to take effect. Suprisingly many sailors don't know that or neglect it.

So next time there is a war, just send dem cargo ships.

https://www.jpost.com/International/Venezuelan-warship-shoot...

Unarmed cruise ship 1, Venezuelan navy 0.

All the deaths in my area are involve fishing boats and pleasure craft.

As a sailboat you are the stand-on vessel so you really shouldn't maneuver. They will see you. They can and frequently do make course adjustments to avoid other traffic.

No, not in all situations, for instance traffic separation zones and restricted water.

https://ptyc.net/wp-content/uploads/Do-Sailing-Vessels-Alway...

That said, I’ve been yelled at while racing when crossing ferry pilots. I had the right of way and they had the tonnage.

Well ferry vessels have special rights, you should be careful. But every big ship will eventually turn, but they'll always scare you. Especially sailors, they don't like sailors...

If you're thinking "I'm the stand on" in your sailboat with regard to a container ship, you've probably missed the opportunity to stay well clear which should have been your guide before getting into that situation.

That's how accidents happen. You need to obey Colregs http://www.imo.org/en/About/Conventions/ListOfConventions/Pa...

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