Interaction Between Pleasure Boats And Large Vessels At Give Way Situations

Abstract

Purpose of this thesis is to clarify why and how many near miss situations happens between pleasure vessels and large merchant vessels at Finnish territorial waters. Research questions of this thesis are which situations pleasure boat captains feel most difficult at meeting situation with large vessel? What creates these situations? References and material used in this thesis are internet sources, laws and regulations, answers I got from Finnish authorities when contacting with them and own experience from seafaring. In theoretical part I go through legislations, rules and accident reports. The research method of this thesis is quantitative. Material of the research is collected by using an internet-based questionnaire. Inquiry contained nine mandatory questions and one voluntary open question. 61 people answered to the inquiry. Research shows that near miss situations between pleasure boats and large merchant ships happens more than is reported. Over half (52.4%) have been or seen near miss situation with large vessel. The inquiry tells us that most difficult in meeting situation with large vessel is to perceive the area that large vessel needs on fairway. Research also shows that pleasure boat captains recognize well the situations which are or can develop to a near miss situation