[ve-l] USPS Guide OK for COLREGS carriage requirement?

[Richard Carson]

Hello Dave:

Recent VSCs have brought out versions of the Rules of the Road marked 
"SATISFIES COAST GUARD REQUIREMENTS OF CARRYING THE RULES OF THE ROAD." 
Included are:
    1-  THE One-Minute Guide to the Nautical Rules of the Road by Charlie 
Wing  and published by International Marine / McGraw Hill.
    2 - NAVIGATION RULES (RULES OF THE ROAD) FOR INTERNATIONAL AND INLAND 
WATERS  with copyright 1999, Paradise Cay Publications.
    3 - NAVIGATION RULES, INTERNATIONAL - INLAND, Presented by Paradise Cay 
Publications Inc., Arcata, CA

Number 3 claims to be a complete copy of the Navigation Rules for 
International & Inland Waters as presented by the USCG.

If doubt as indicated by follow-on comments that these publications do NOT 
satisfy Coast Guard Requirements proves valid, it seems to me we have one 
large mess of misrepresentation and associated legal ramifications.  Thanks 
for bringing this out, and hope for early resolution.

Dick Carson / Perdido Bay VSC Chair.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dave Donkers" <donkers at aps.anl.gov>
To: <padipro at gulftel.com>
Cc: "Vessel Examiners Discussion Group" <ve-l at usps.org>
Sent: Wednesday, March 19, 2008 7:25 AM
Subject: [ve-l] USPS Guide OK for COLREGS carriage requirement?


> Greetings  --
>
> OK - this is a bit long, but bear with me.....
>
> I have just come across the USPS Guide, "The One-Minute
> Guide to the Nautical Rules of the Road", by Charlie Wing,
> published by McGraw-Hill and available through USPS.
>
> I have found it to be an excellent guide to the rules,
> written in plain language and giving clear descriptions
> of what the rules mean to recreational boaters.  It's an
> "easy read" - you can pick it up and start anywhere and
> get something useful out of it.
>
> It has a section that has the Rules in full (with some
> explanatory material added).  No, I haven't proofed it to
> check that it's accurate word-for-word.
>
> The reason I'm writing this is not as a book review, but
> because the book states on the cover that it "Satisfies
> Coast Guard requirements for carrying the rules on board".
>
> 33CFR88.05 states "The operator of each self-propelled
> vessel 12 meters or more in length shall carry on board
> and maintain for ready reference a copy of the Inland
> Navigation Rules."  Hmmmm...  No mention of having to carry
> the International Rules, but I'm sure that's in there
> somewhere.  8^)
>
> As Vessel Examiners can we accept this book instead of the
> traditional red/white/blue bound COMDINST M16672xxxx?
>
> Almost more importantly, if we pass a vessel that is only
> carries this book and they get inspected by the USCG, will
> the USCG accept it?  I don't want to put a boater in a
> position where they might get a ticket for something we
> accept - they've got our name and phone number on the form.
>
> I know the argument that "If you've got the money for a boat
> XX feet long, spend the money for a 'regulation' copy...".
> Let's face it, money is tight, and I'd rather suggest a copy
> of the rules that gets used that having one that sits in a
> locker getting moldy.
>
> By the way, the book lists for $18.95 on the McGraw-Hill
> website, but your SEO can order them for $13.50.  If they're
> acceptable, sell them for 15 or 16 bucks and let your
> squadron make some money.
>
> Any advice, approvals, comments etc.?
>
> Dave Donkers
> VSC Chair
> Education Officer
> DuPage Power Squadron
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