June 9, 20241 yr I wonder who is to blame for this. This happened at a seaplane base, so have planes the right of way or boats? Or do they both count as sea vessels as long as they are on the water? https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/seaplane-crash-vancouver-coal-harbour-1.7229406 Peter
June 9, 20241 yr Colregs: Quote Rule 18Responsibilities Between Vessels ...(e) A seaplane on the water shall, in general, keep well clear of all vessels and avoid impeding their navigation. In circumstances, however, where risk of collision exists, she shall comply with the Rules of this Part. FAR: Quote Sec. 91.115Right-of-way rules: Water operations.(a) General. Each person operating an aircraft on the water shall, insofar as possible, keep clear of all vessels and avoid impeding their navigation, and shall give way to any vessel or other aircraft that is given the right-of-way by any rule of this section. Seems pretty clear on paper. Of course, reality may differ.
June 9, 20241 yr 3 hours ago, lzamm said: Colregs: FAR: Seems pretty clear on paper. Of course, reality may differ. However, that said, the "vehicle, boat, whatever" on the other's right has the right of way. I did some time for several years in boat type aircraft, the CL215 water bomber. From the video clip it is not really possible to figure out the angles. Edited June 9, 20241 yr by dbw1
June 9, 20241 yr My understanding is the area of the harbour those float planes use is restricted for aircraft use. https://www.portvancouver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/2019-05-Web-Friendly-File-Safe-Boating-Guide-2019-Update.pdf
June 9, 20241 yr Fortunately, there were no fatalities...and from prelim reports, also no serious injuries. This is a heavily congested area with several marinas in the same vicinity of the float plane docks. Also, Saturday was one of the first warmest days of the summer in Vancouver...no doubt there were several boats on the water at that time (as evidenced by the response as well). What I learned a long, long time ago...yes, we have Collision Regulations...but there is no such thing as "right of way". I agree with the statement above that a vessel approaching from the "right" has priority. That priority is based upon the priority vessel maintaining course and speed (which cannot be determined by the short video clip). Ultimately, once under way, and in the event of an impending collision, the ColRegs also define evasive maneuvers to be taken by both vessels in the event of a suspected collision and scrutiny will fall ultimately to the vessel with the "easiest/best" maneuverability to avoid a collision in the first place. The daily movements of float planes in this corridor is very high...this is a major (business) transportation route between Vancouver and Victoria. (Yes, I realize this was a sightseeing flight!) Just my $0.02 Again...fortunately there were no serious injuries.
June 9, 20241 yr My first flying lessons and first solo were in a Luscombe on floats on Richardson Bay, a finger of the San Francisco bay. I have some boating experience too. My gut reaction is that it's much easier to turn a boat than a float plane that is on a takeoff run. Prior to takeoff you raise the float plane rudder. Once the float plane is on the step it's just about impossible to turn to avoid a collision if the boat decides to cross your path. Noel The tires are worn. The shocks are shot. The steering is wobbly. But the engine still runs fine.
June 9, 20241 yr Just a reminder ... this event happened in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Aviation is governed under Canadian Aviation Regulations (see here), not FAR. Aviation incidents are investigated by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (see here for aviation investigations). Edited June 9, 20241 yr by JRMurray Joel Murray @ CYVR (actually, somewhere about halfway between CYNJ and CZBB)
June 9, 20241 yr Vancouver Sun newspaper article on the incident here. Joel Murray @ CYVR (actually, somewhere about halfway between CYNJ and CZBB)
June 11, 20241 yr Author Noel's intuition appears to be correct: Quote Ian Gilson, director of the Canadian Safe Boating Council, says it comes down to which vessel is more maneuverable. "The vessel that is least maneuverable is the one that has the right of way," he told Michelle Eliot, host of CBC's BC Today. "When a floatplane is either landing or taking off, it cannot change its course. The investigation is still ongoing, but this is a pretty clear statement. Peter
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