ROCKLAND, Maine — Two vessels based out of Rockland managed to return to port under their own power after colliding Friday evening off North Haven.
The 72-foot Jacob Pike and the private ferry Jackie Renee struck each other at about 8:35 p.m. in the Fox Island Thoroughfare about a half-mile off Crabtree Point on North Haven, according to Lt. Nick Barrow of the U.S. Coast Guard station in South Portland.
The cause of the crash is under investigation and no other information is available, Barrow said.
There were no injuries.
The Jacob Pike is operated by J & J Lobster of Rockland. The vessel is a restored historic sardine carrier built in 1949.
The Jackie Renee is a 38-foot ferry operated by Penobscot Ferry and Transport in Rockland. The ferry can hold 12 people in its enclosed space and 14 on deck, according to its website.
There were three passengers on the ferry, according to Barrow.
The ferry serves the islands of Penobscot Bay.
There was damage to the Jacob Pike above the water line, the Coast Guard official said.
He said the Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment in Belfast would conduct the investigation of the commercial vessels.
A telephone message was left with Capt. Jim Kalloch, who operates Penobscot Ferry and Transport. J & J Lobster could not be reached for comment.
Somebody’s day just got complicated.
Well, at least the ferry boat operator had to have some kind of license. The fishing boats are notorious for disregarding the “Nav Rules “
You know, I have been around Penobscot Bay for 50+ years and have never observed what you say.
I can’t imagine not seeing it hundreds of times if you actually get OUT on the bay instead of just AROUND the bay. Do you have the right of way rules memorized or have a masters license, and do you actually look to see who gives way in crossing situations? There certainly are exceptions to the rule, and I have a couple of good friends who are lobstermen, but they are usually pretty focused on what’s going on aboard their own boat and don’t always keep the best lookout and tend to think everyone else should give way to them. I can understand that because they are juggling quite a lot of distractions while hauling traps, but my understanding why they don’t keep a good lookout doesn’t make it right or legal.
you do realize they have the right away under most circumstances
Only “when engaged in fishing”, just because you are a lobster boat does not give you blanket immunity to the rules. When steaming to & from traps and not actively hauling gear, you are a “power driven vessel underway”
http://navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=navRulesContent
Maybe it’s that way in your native state of mass.
No,
as a Mainer, and a licensed Unlimited Oceans Master, I can assure you that the Nav Rules apply to everyone, regardless of state.
I am an inactive chief engineer and did not have as good a view as you did from the bridge Bill, but sailboats were always the worst in my recollection. Most of them have no idea of the rules of the road and are snockered on rotten grape juice.
All to true Chief!
Sorry. He is right, whether he is from Mass or not.
No they don’t. They ONLY have the right of way while restricted in their ability to maneuver while connected to a trap or trawl or similar gear. The moment a lobsterman lets his trap go, he reverts to being a power driven vessel underway. Of course there are all sorts of lobsterboat drivers but quite a few of them seem to have the impression that they have some special right of way while enroute to traps or between hauling traps. I think they spend so much time on the water that they get complacent and expect others to watch out for them. They get so focused on looking for their next trap or other distractions aboard their boats that they forget to look at the radar screen or even look out for other vessels. Quite a few of them have no Coast Guard license and have never bothered to learn the rules of the road and just go by what someone else with a similar lack of training has told them. That, combined with common sense gets them through most situations, but once in a while, you REALLY do need to actually know the right of way rules backwards and forwards.
I suspect this situation was caused by a lack of keeping a proper lookout by both parties. Whether or not you have the right of way, all vessels MUST keep a proper lookout at all times.
I am surprised that these incidents are not more common.
You’re technically correct when you state, “but quite a few of them seem to have the impression that they have some
special right of way while enroute to traps or between hauling traps”, but what are you going to do if you see a guy who’s hauling traps? Are you going to challenge him and hold your course even though it takes you right through his wheelhouse while he’s trying to work and do a number of different things at one time, or are you going to give him a little bit of a berth and make it easier for the both of you? As a lobster fisherman, former USCG license holder, and just general all-around good guy, I would choose the later. And you?
I’m surprised you even felt the need to ask the question, of course ALL mariners must take whatever action is necessary in order to avoid a collision, Whether it’s a lobsterman, a pleasure yacht, a sailing dinghy, canoe, or supertanker, I’d never “challenge” him or anyone else. Just because you have the right of way, you don’t get to run into people just because they aren’t paying attention, but that doesn’t relieve them (whether they be a lobsterman or supertanker skipper) of the requirement that they DO pay attention. Everyone must try to avoid collisions and the Nav rules we are discussing are to help guide us so we all know what to expect from all parties when a collision is imminent.
You’re the one who made the comment about lobster fishermen, “but quite a few of them seem to have the impression that they have some special right of way while enroute to traps or between hauling traps”. When I’m hauling a string of gear, I’m aware of what’s around me, but I’m also quite focused on what I’m doing. This means I can get somewhat lost in the moment, no matter how closely I’m trying to pay attention to my surroundings. Nobody can do both perfectly. I don’t feel that I have any special rights, but it’s only considerate of somebody under way, who isn’t having to concentrate on quite as many things as I am, if they would give me just enough room so that when I’m setting back it doesn’t look like I’m trying to play chicken with them.
Didn’t I see the Jacob Pike today heading across the bay to North Haven or is it just my imagination? I don’t pay much attention out to haul…
It was foggy and rainy last eve, probably a one in a million chance type collision course. The Fox Island area can be hairy in a fog.
That makes sense although the story makes no mention at all of the weather at the time. I suppose that information is readily available somewhere online. I means the marine and aviation advisories don’t just disappear after they expire. What can you do if you can’t see the running lights in time? I hear the modern radar equipment is pretty good in bad weather but it’s probably not cheap. I’ll stay ashore. I wasn’t born with gills and fins so I don’t think God wants me out there.
Ya was not born with shoes on either, but I bet ya got them on in the wintah, lol.
I should lie and say I was born with boots, compass and a topo map. I definitely didn’t come into this world with a paint scraper and mop. Good thing my retired swabbie brother doesn’t read the BDN.
texting and boating, a no no