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Coming across a submarine while out on the water is still a rare occurrence for a recreational boater. Yet this is exactly what happened in the Kiel Fjord, Germany, when a military vessel surfaced near a fleet of ILCA dinghies participating in Kiel Week. The image is spectacular, but above all, it raises a regulatory issue that every boat license holder or sailor would do well to be aware of.
Do sailboats always have the right of way?
Many boaters follow a simple rule: a sailboat under sail alone has the right of way over a motorboat. This rule is indeed included in the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (IRPCAS). However, there are several important exceptions to it.
The first applies to vessels that are unable to maneuver. The second applies to vessels with limited maneuvering ability. In both situations, the sailboat loses its usual right of way and must take all necessary measures to avoid a collision.
In other words, sailing never gives absolute priority to anything.
A submarine is not like other ships
When a submarine is operating on the surface, it is subject to RIPAM just like any other vessel. However, its maneuverability depends on its mission. A military submarine may be limited by its draft, safety procedures, the presence of deployed antennas, or constraints related to diving or surfacing.
Depending on the circumstances, it may display the required markings indicating that it is a vessel with limited maneuverability. In such cases, other waterway users must give way to it.
Even when it does not have these markings, a submarine weighing several thousand metric tons obviously cannot change course or stop as quickly as a dinghy weighing less than 60 kg.
In regattas, the racing rules never supersede the RIPAM
Racers follow World Sailing's Racing Rules of Sailing to determine priority among competitors. However, these rules apply only to boats participating in the race.
When a vessel not participating in the regatta enters the area, the RIPAM requirements immediately take precedence. The race committee may even suspend or delay a starting procedure to allow the vessel to pass.
That is precisely why the competitors in the Kiel Week simply watched the submarine pass by without attempting to maintain their positions.
The best priority is still the one that prevents a collision
RIPAM is based on a simple principle. Even when a vessel has the right of way, its crew is still obligated to avoid a collision. This fundamental rule applies equally to a recreational sailor, a speedboat pilot, and a submarine captain.
When faced with a military building several dozen meters long, the proper response is to keep a safe distance, remain vigilant, and never attempt to assert a theoretical right of way.
In practice, common sense aligns with the regulations in this case.
What This Photo Reminds Boating License Applicants
This unusual encounter serves as an excellent thought experiment for those preparing for their boat license exam.
She points out that the rules of right-of-way are not limited to a few phrases memorized by heart. They require analyzing the type of vessel encountered, its actual ability to maneuver, and the navigational context. An ILCA is extremely maneuverable. A submarine is not always so maneuverable. In such a situation, the correct decision is therefore to anticipate the military vessel?s course well in advance and maintain a safe distance.
