There are rules of the road for seafaring which apply even to these types of craft. A sailboat usually wins over a powered craft.
"GEVs may be unable to climb over or turn sharply enough to avoid collisions, while drastic, low-level maneuvers risk contact with solid or water hazards beneath. Aircraft can climb over most obstacles, but GEVs are more limited. "
Anywhere near significant boat traffic (e.g. in harbors), we'll be on our hydrofoils at speeds of 20-50 mph. So in these environments, we're just another boat (albeit a very comfortable, wave tolerant one)
We dont leave the foil to takeoff onto our wings until we leave the harbor. This doesnt need to happen on "runways" though. We'll already be at takeoff speed (~50mph) as we're leaving the harbor, so we really just jump out of the water whenever we choose to. This way we dont need to clear long stretches of water for a "runway", which has limited seaplane operations.
Absolutely agree: Seaglider operators will have to obey the rules of the road to avoid collisions just like any other boat. WIGs are actually already in the COLREGS (we're last in line for right of way, but on the list!), and our sensor systems will ensure that seaglider captains have excellent situational awareness.
I highly doubt your pilot can spot a small fishing vessel or a kayak going over 100 mph.
anyway, if it is possible that a GEV can collide with a sailboat, it will happen eventually
Can't remember if they're considered "working vessels" over a sailboat, which would make them the stand-on vessel based on maneuverability anyway, but it's just silly to get in their way in the same way that it's silly to dawdle across train tracks.
Near as I can tell as a boat driver your job is to stay very, very predictable while the planes weave around everything. Those pilots are good. ;)
It's pretty fun for people to see a float plane zipping by at 80mph, 20 feet away, while it's taking off.
They need a significant amount of extra power to get out of the water in the first place, so there will always be more power available to climb out of ground effect.
The maximum altitude would be limited, you wouldn't be able to climb over a mountain, or over clouds. Depends on the exact specs, but should be more than enough to clear large ships, or at least get the altitude to make it safe to do a steep turn.