wilderydude83
Contributor
Diving in a known channel doesn't seem like a great idea to me no matter how great the diving is. I can see why the dive community is pissed but I also the sail boaters' points of view as well.
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Yes I agree and that channel is not marked as a navigation channel unlike the one right next to it so it is essentially open water meaning boats do not have priority over divers, fishermen, kayaks, etc.First come first serve ???????.... The boater has the right to navigate that channel. divers are protected by a law that says the boat does NOT have to avoid them, they are only required to proceed at idle speed. Once again, ignorance of the applicable laws. hope nobody runs over your frisbee.....
Diving in a known channel doesn't seem like a great idea to me no matter how great the diving is. I can see why the dive community is pissed but I also the sail boaters' points of view as well.
Robibler, this is NOT a "known" navigation channel....most likely, every diver out there during that incident, was absolutely certain no boats could be in that area.
I knew this was possible, as did Dumpster Diver and a "handful" of other regulars to the BHB. There has never been any signage or education attempt to inform divers that a big sailboat could legally run through the east area.
As to the sailboaters point of view, I would love to hear it...this captain had MANY options.....
- he could have tried to get the attention of the divers prior to running through them--he chose not to
- He could have waited until the tide went down a bit, and then run under the bridge in the main channel with everyone else....sailboats are NOT fast, time is not "of the essence", or you would be on a powerboat instead...
- he could have run right through a large group of divers and flags, potentially fouling his prop on them..this is the option he chose, and apparently he was happy he did not damage his propeller--but could care less about the divers in his way.
... There has never been any signage or education attempt to inform divers that a big sailboat could legally run through the east area.....]
I have seen it 2 times in 2 years.Oh, i apologize. I thought I read somewhere on this forum that the east channel was a known sailboat passage because it allows larger boats cross safely under the bridge. They should definitely post a sign for the divers entering the water so they know the dangers. how often do sailboats use the passage?
Regardless of it being a marked channel it is obviously a strait.