The Navigation Rules indicate that flashing blue light is an Inland Rule, part of Annex V, below. The issue is that here in the Salish Sea we are required to follow the 72 ColRegs (International Rules.) A flashing blue light just isn't a part of the of the ColRegs.
It would be interesting to see if the argument, "I didn't recognize the flashing blue light," would stand a legal challenge.
Annex V - Pilot Signals - (Inland Only)
33 CFR 88: ANNEX V - PILOT RULES § 88.01 Purpose and applicability
§ 88.11 Law enforcement vessels
(a) Law enforcement vessels may display a flashing blue light when engaged in direct law enforcement or public safety activities. This light must be located so that it does not interfere with the visibility of the vessel's navigation lights.
(b) The blue light described in this section may be displayed by law enforcement vessels of the United States and the States and their political subdivisions.
(Ed. note: My advise - be right, not dead right)
15 comments:
What does "direct" in part (a) mean? Also, does the display of such a light (even in the inland rules) convey some imperative to the nearby boater?
Does a flashing or constant blue light mean anything in the 72 ColRegs/International rules?
Anon - Direct means involved in a case, not in transit. Think police vehicles. You don't put on the blue lights while going to Crispy Cream, unless there's an emergency.
Tim - The ColRegs don't speak to blue lights.
We must remember this is federal rules not state or local rules. If there is a state or local rules then that would be a different story. The pretty blue lights are just attention getters. They would entice me to keep an ear open for a bull horn or a call on the radio. Other than that, they are just pretty blue lights that do not convey any special navigational privileges.
Jack - While I can't site the specific RCW, I do believe them to say, "There shall ne no conflicting regs "
CAPTAIN JACK:
You need to carefully read 88.11(b)
where it says "The blue light described in this section may be displayed by law enforcement vessels of the United States and the States and their political subdivisions". So your conclusion that this is Federal only is totally incorrect. How did this petty discussion start? There seems to be a negative attitude to the laws which "We the People" wrote and hire the officers to enforce for our protection. What is the problem?
Good Watch.
He said the rule was Federal, not the enforcement boats.
I agree with Capt Jack completely.
I still don't understand why some don't feel it is appropriate to discuss the rules. Asking questions such as these of issues and laws dates back to Socrates and is a cornerstone of US legal education. Discussing the rules has no implication that anyone is going out to do something stupid. What does anyone have to fear but discussing the rules and isn't that what "We The People" have a right to do?
The implication that it is somehow wrong, or at least not necessary, to discuss laws like this is troubling. The police, coast guard, navy, etc must follow laws that govern their conduct. And we must follow them. If a boat is following me with a flashing blue light, the law says the blue light means nothing. I might know from other parts of my life what a flashing blue light means, but the law does not obligate me to stop. Now, if they get on the loud hailer or VHF and hail me, then I must stop.
But it is well within our legal rights, and you could argue our moral obligation, to debate laws. Absent of this, the United States would be a far different place.
I really wish that more public safety agency would pay heed to the "This light must be located so that it does not interfere with the visibility of the vessel's navigation lights." part of the rule, instead of just slapping on the brightest lightbar they can find.
Flashing blue means very little in any context. When was the last time you were pulled over by a police car just flashing blue? There's usually red in there too.
s
you may want to look at the "public safety" vessels lights.
I always thought a blue light meant there was a special :)
Well I don't know about you guys but when I see the flashing blue lights and hear the whoop whoop sound- I put my beer down and pay attention.
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