Do Aircraft Carriers Have Right of Way?

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✩ABOUT THIS VIDEO✩
In this video, we investigate the collision regulations, asking whether aircraft carriers get right of way over other vessels.

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➼ Audio used under license from Epidemic Sound

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[CasualNavigation]

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[PianoKwanMan]

I like the idea of a pleasure sailing ship saying to a military ship, "You are requested to keep 0.5nm from us", before they have a chance to say it back

[michaelm]

"This is Kayak 1 to US Carrier. I'm engaged in flight operations as my parrot is about to land on my shoulder. Make way."

[tkdmike]

Reminds me of a story with Emperor Hadrian.

He was in a debate with a philosopher and was getting beaten badly. Well until the philosopher conceded the argument to the Emperor.

His friends were shocked and asked “why did you concede, when you were winning?” The Philosopher replied “The Emperor is the wisest man in all the land.” His friends were still baffled until the philosopher continued “he who controls 40 legions is the wisest man.”

[brianoflondon]

I'm sure it helps if they're polite.

I actually flew directly over a carrier's flight deck out between Vancouver and Vancouver Island in a sea plane.

Obviously the pilot of our plane called and asked for permission to over fly and it was granted at a range of about 10 miles out. This was in the late 80's. Not sure they would do this today.

[foxrogers]

"Hey Google, remind me in two days to check how many people have told that ancient lighthouse joke in the comments on Casual Navigation's video."

[tge]

2:25 forgot to mention that vessels constrained by their draft also get priority over the last 3

[Anti_Woke]

Gentlemen, that reminds me ... (yacht) skipper course, sailing from Morocco to Spain. A bulk carrier was operating erratically ahead of us and the examiner asked for an assessment. "Manoeuvering for the deep water anchorage on the charts". "So is it restricted in its ability to manoeuvre or constrained by its draft?". "In the circumstances, yes". "Who has right of way?". "We have right of way as a sailing vessel. It doesn't matter what we /think/ it's doing, it isn't displaying any shapes to claim right of way, so it doesn't get it". "And what are your orders?". "Stay well clear of it because it clearly doesn't care about details and wouldn't even notice if it sinks us". 100%.

[joshuazelinsky]

I've done a lot of sailing on small craft, including on our 27 foot sailboat. We're in a pretty busy areas for commercial and some military traffic. General lesson is that just because one legally has right of way over the large powered ships, doesn't mean that exercising it in practice is a good idea. For military ships, this is especially the case. The US pre-9/11 and the USS Cole bombing used to be much more lenient about smaller craft getting near their ships. They now see it as a serious security hazard and really discourage it.

[Danspyst]

Related to the carrier. It might also asked you as it might have escorts with her. Like destroyers and such. Remember the carriers do at times sail with a carrier strike group

[shingshongshamalama]

There's also a degree to which a military ship broadcasting communication like this can in fact be a component of the vessel's defence. Calling up seemingly civilian ships that might be passing near and just giving them a casual "please stay away from us" to see if they take extra precautions, even if unnecessary, even if just out of politeness, can possibly be one way of making sure the vessel in question isn't actively trying to get closer to an operating military ship for nefarious purposes. If they call you up and you don't give them more room, that might tell them you're up to something and they'll have to take further protective measures.

It's important to remember that military vessels aren't just like every other ordinary ship, they're working on a base assumption that all other traffic could be an enemy combatant in disguise, and they have to pre-emptively minimize any risk to themselves or their objectives.

[christopherg]

After USS Cole, I don't think the right of way is their worry.
It is probably more a question of "if they get closer, I have to weigh boarding and/or sinking them."

[ghost]

Yes.
That's taught in every Basic Seamanship class, although sailboats owners tend to have a problem realizing that they don't have the right-of-way over every boat/ship in the seas.

[Misteribel]

On my 44ft sailing yacht, in the Strait of Gibraltar, many in and outgoing ships, AIS screen full of warning signs. We had engine trouble, which made us a 'proper' sailing ship, and so said our AIS. We stayed a clear course, didn't enter the TSS lane. A large supertanker was on collision course with us (still some miles out), not in TSS.

After some time, neither of us changed course. We called them up, asking for their intentions. We didn't hear an answer. On the next call, we told our intentions, in case our radio didn't receive. Keep in mind that if we were to change course, we might have changed into their change, and without engine, and with unfavorable current, we would be too slow anyway. If such a vessel changes course, it can take minutes before you see it, let alone if they have to readjust if we also changed.

They did change course, as they should (only 2 degrees, but it was plenty). It later turned out, our receiver was broken. They probably replied, we just didn't hear them. It's important that the Colregs exist. Without it, i would have done something else, or panic. The other ship did what they should and nothing happened.

[paleoph]

"Do Aircraft Carriers Have Right of Way?"
Me driving killdozer at sea: "No, I don't think I will."

[robertewalt]

I learned to sail in NYC harbor. We were taught that sail boats had right of way over powered boats and ships. Exception: if they were working, including Staten Island ferries, cruise ships, freighters, and yes, Navy ships.

[RealCadde]

If you can see aircraft taking off from an aircraft carrier, you are definitely too close to the aircraft carrier.
Unless there are circumstances where they will allow your presence. But generally, an aircraft carrier doing operations will have a VERY wide area where no other vessels not belonging to the aircraft carrier group are going to get told to bugger off.

[markscott]

I love how your graphics (to me at least) seem original and unique. I've seen a number of other channels start to look very samey due to doing pretty-much the same animation. How long does it take to knock out an average video?

[aster-naut]

Interesting. I was always taught that smaller boats should give way to bigger boats because they’re more manoeuvrable. In any case, if I come across a cargo or cruise ship in my little sailing boat, I’m staying the hell away no matter what the rules say.

[Litwinel]

I actually had a close contact with a military vessel a few years ago. I was sailing in a yacht witch my friends, with me behind a steer at that time, and we've spotted a Croatian navy's destroyer at our stern. I've used a very sophisticated tool in form of my thumb and I've found out they are in perfect collision course with us.
But we were under sails, so first thing that came to my mind - who has the right of way? We, a 16 meter sail boat sailing at nice and smooth 6 knots, or a military vessel speeding at 20-30 knots?
I've discussed this manner with my senior and much more experienced friend, and we decided we will keep our course, but closely observe this big metal boy.
Some half an hour later, this vessel kept coming closer and closer, still collision course. When they were more or less one mile away from us, we decided that maybe we have a right of passage, but they are 1000 times bigger so lets give them some space. So I've changed our course, and I've noticed that a few minutes later they also turned a bit. Nevertheless, they overtook us no more than 300 meters between from us. That was super memorable experience, to see such a big vessel moving so fast so close to us... And to navigate through their kilwater waves.