twistedtree
Guru
Every time a collision occurs between a large and small vessel someone inevitably pulls out the Restricted in Ability to Maneuver card and applies it to the larger vessel. It usually get corrected quickly, but illustrates how misunderstood that status is.
Over the past few days I have encountered two appropriate uses that I think shed light on what this status is all about.
First case was off Victoria in the Strait of Juan De Fuca. A survey vessel was underway normally, then preparing to conduct a bottom survey. Well in advance, they notified VTS where their intended location would be, and that they would be restricted in their ability to maneuver while they conducted a bottom survey. They further announced this as a security call. I wasn't close enough to see, but expect they were flying the appropriate day shapes. I should have thought to check their AIS status as well which should have changed to restricted maneuverability (code 3). By declaring this status, they put themselves almost at the top of the pecking order for stand on/giveway. As I recall the only thing higher is NUC, or not under control, i,e. A broken down vessel.
The second case was just now. There is a war ship off San Diego that is doing a periodic security call declaring themselves restricted in ability to maneuver. I'm still over 100 miles from there so don't know for sure, but expect it's an aircraft carrier conducting flight operations.
These strike me as good examples of correct use of this status. My ship is big and I don't want to turn the wheel is NOT an example.
Over the past few days I have encountered two appropriate uses that I think shed light on what this status is all about.
First case was off Victoria in the Strait of Juan De Fuca. A survey vessel was underway normally, then preparing to conduct a bottom survey. Well in advance, they notified VTS where their intended location would be, and that they would be restricted in their ability to maneuver while they conducted a bottom survey. They further announced this as a security call. I wasn't close enough to see, but expect they were flying the appropriate day shapes. I should have thought to check their AIS status as well which should have changed to restricted maneuverability (code 3). By declaring this status, they put themselves almost at the top of the pecking order for stand on/giveway. As I recall the only thing higher is NUC, or not under control, i,e. A broken down vessel.
The second case was just now. There is a war ship off San Diego that is doing a periodic security call declaring themselves restricted in ability to maneuver. I'm still over 100 miles from there so don't know for sure, but expect it's an aircraft carrier conducting flight operations.
These strike me as good examples of correct use of this status. My ship is big and I don't want to turn the wheel is NOT an example.