Navigating the BVI: The Essential SAFDAF Rule for Safe Sailing

Charlie has been a sailing instructor in the BVI for many years. He puts a lot of emphasis on “rules of the road” and making sure that each and every student is fully aware of their obligations.

Understanding the Rules of the Road

“If you are the ‘stand on’ boat, you must maintain course and speed,” Charlie explains tirelessly. “Only at the very last moment can you deviate from this rule if a collision is imminent.”

A Common Scenario on the Water

Now, picture this scenario: A catamaran is approaching you on a starboard tack. All its fenders are down, and the swim ladder is trailing in the water. The mainsail is all the way up on the luff, but the second reef is tied in on the clew, leaving the boom diagonal and pointing at the sky—the sail is a bagged-out mess. The Genoa is fully out but not trimmed, with the top luffing wildly as a line trails in the water. While the yacht is making about two knots, the crew is swilling beer, and loud rock music can be heard. No doubt they’re having fun, and no doubt they haven’t a clue about sailing.

Fish Are on The Move

A Collision Course with the Party Boat

Charlie is on a starboard tack too, sailing toward the party boat on a collision course. He’s to leeward and the stand-on vessel. Someone on the party boat screams across the water, “STARBOARD,” unaware that Charlie is the privileged vessel. Charlie immediately bears away to avoid a situation, and in so doing, he contradicts the rule: “maintain course and speed.”

Teaching Moment: The SAFDAF Rule

That night, while revisiting the situation with his students, Charlie explained that “God protects fools and drunks.” For the rest of the week, Charlie was referred to as God.

Some charter clients, it seems, regard a good credit card as a suitable sailing qualification in order to rent a half-million-dollar yacht. Consequently, more and more incompetence on the water is witnessed every year. In fairness to charter companies, it’s hard to verify everyone’s sailing resume, and a few inadequate sailors sometimes slip through the cracks, endangering themselves and others.

The History of COLREGs: How Maritime Collision Rules Evolved

Introducing the SAFDAF Rule

Now, Charlie has a new rule: “Scrutinize the boat you are approaching well in advance. Regardless of who is ‘stand on’ or ‘give way,’ if the situation merits it, keep clear.” It’s called the SAFDAF (Stay Away From Drunks and Fools) rule and is likely to be included in the revised edition of the BVI’s “Maritime Charter Yacht Rules and Regulations.”

Avoiding Collisions with Colregs

Julian Putley has written for ALL AT SEA since 2005.