Safety

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Right of Way and Safety Guidelines

Hal Chamberlain's graphic depicts the running conditions pilots will encounter on the ice and how they should be handled by both skippers.

Before you take the helm to mix it up with the rest of the fleet, be sure you have a good mental map of how you are going to integrate these guidelines with current conditions such as:

wind and weather
areas of ice that may be unsafe or more demanding to navigate
spectators walking on the ice
the competence and experience of your fellow iceboaters

New sailors may find these tips helpful for learning the basic rules.
Also, see the National Iceboat Authority

Right of Way Graphic

National Iceboat Authority
Right-of-Way Rules Graphic

Three Discovery Channel Videos
Dr. Giesbrecht on Cold Water Survival

Cold Water Survival

You're Out, Now What?

Getting that Sinking Feeling

Properties of Ice

Bob Dill's Lake Ice

Explaining Ice: The Answers Are Slippery

How Strong is Ice?

Safety on Floating Ice Sheets -- US Army

A simple formula to estimate the minimum ice thickness required to support a load is where h is the ice thickness in inches and P is the load, or gross weight, in tons. You can also use the graph or table to determine the minimum thickness. The equation, graph and table assume clear, sound ice. If white, bubble-filled ice makes up part or all of the ice thickness, count it as only half as much clear ice. Any recent large snowstorm creates a new load on the ice. If the new snow is heavy enough, the ice sheet will sag and its top surface will be submerged below the water level. Then water will flood the top of the ice sheet through cracks, saturating the lower layers of the snow. Until this slush is completely frozen, stay off the ice sheet. When the saturated snow becomes frozen, it is an added thickness of white ice.

For new sailors, I offer the following tips which may aid in memorizing the basics. Look at the situation and step through these tips sequentially to arrive at the correct course of action. Is a difficult situation developing around you? Are you both on or off the wind? If so, who has the right of way?

1. KEEP AWAY
Keep your distance from others on the ice. Keep track of boats which may be overtaking you. Don't attempt to sail in close formation with a big stern steerer or other boat. Never do a high speed pass through the area where pedestrians are congregating or boats are parked. Be alert for boats that may be having trouble in gusty conditions and give them a wide berth even if it means going off your line. Collision avoidance is your highest priority.

2. UP = YOURS DOWN = SHIFT
Boats tacking to windward or "on the wind" always have the right-of-way over those running downwind or "off the wind" irrespective of which tack (port or starboard) they are sailing.
Going upwind, the right-of-way is yours over a boat running downwind.
Going downwind, shift out of the way for a boat "on the wind".

3a & 3b. RIGHT = RIGHT
When boats are on opposite tacks but are headed in the same direction (upwind or downwind), the boat on the starboard tack has the right-of-way. When the wind is coming from your right, you are on the starboard tack and have the right-of-way. Hold a steady course until the other boat has safely navigated around you.

Email John Sperr

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Disclaimer

HRIYC.ORG is neither the official website, nor am I the webmaster, of the Hudson River Ice Yacht Club. I am a long standing member of the Club -- during the sailing season, I frequently post photographs and information on this, my own personal website, about current ice boating activity in the Hudson Valley and beyond. I am the sole person responsible for the presentation of content and the opinions expressed herein. Interesting photographic contributions are welcome and appreciated -- I spend most of my time on the ice skippering and far too often fail to capture the best images the day has to offer. JAS