This sign is hanging behind the counter at the Fort Myers Yacht Basin (the City Marina).
Since we've been boating here in Florida, I've gotten pretty good at following these directions. Screaming and shouting came naturally (lots of previous practice), but believe me, running in circles isn't easy on a 23-foot boat! However, I try to do my part.
Linking to Lesley's SIGNS SIGNS. Click the links for the smiles!
##Here are the real "Rules of the Road at Sea" . The verses were written as a memory aid for ship captains by Thomas Gray, when he was assistant secretary of the Maritime Department of the British Board of Trade. He served as its Secretary from 1869 to 1890.
Two Steam Ships meeting:
When both side-lights you see ahead —
Port your helm and show your RED.
Two Steam Ships passing:
GREEN to GREEN — or, RED to RED —
Perfect safety — go ahead!
Two Steam Ships crossing:
If to your starboard RED appear,
It is your duty to keep clear;
To act as judgment says is proper;
To Port — or Starboard — Back — or Stop her!
Both in safety and in doubt
Always keep a good look-out;
In danger, with no room to turn,
Ease her, Stop her, Go astern.
—Thomas Gray, Rule of the Road at Sea, 1867
I like that sign...made me smile..
Posted by: Rambling Woods | January 12, 2013 at 07:14 PM
haha!!!
i think you might be able to run in very small circles on your boat!! just twirl!! but sit before u get too dizzy!
Posted by: laura k | January 12, 2013 at 12:51 PM
A very useful sign!
Posted by: Halcyon | January 12, 2013 at 06:05 AM
Hi Sallie, Love a sign written with a sense of humor. Good advice never harmed anyone.. hmm, or has it and we simply did not hear about it.
Posted by: Pam:) | January 11, 2013 at 09:57 PM
Fun sign. Somebody did a nice, creative job. It looks like its stamped into brass or some special metal. It shows a great sense of humor.
Posted by: Margot | January 10, 2013 at 08:48 PM
Love the post...
Posted by: Joe Todd | January 10, 2013 at 10:42 AM
Funny advice !
Posted by: Annie | January 10, 2013 at 09:38 AM
Ha ha - how wonderful!
Posted by: ladyfi | January 10, 2013 at 09:29 AM
Does the screaming work? Do you have river rage like we have road rage?
Posted by: diane | January 10, 2013 at 04:26 AM
I get seasick and can no imagine going round in circles. Cute post, Sallie!
Posted by: Eileen | January 10, 2013 at 01:26 AM
I would rather run away then in circles, lol ! I could get dizzy !
Posted by: Gattina | January 09, 2013 at 09:25 PM
When I was a kid boating on the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers my Dad always said "Red right returning from the sea." Which I had to think hard about because we weren't very close to any sea. Cute sign.
Posted by: Gaelyn | January 09, 2013 at 09:11 PM
Haha, yes, running in circles screaming would come naturally for me too. :) Such a quaint collection of sayings to help one remember safety.
Posted by: Gail | January 09, 2013 at 08:50 PM
love the signs, it is true mariners love to rhyme their rules...the terns below are excellent also.
Posted by: islandrambles | January 09, 2013 at 08:45 PM
That is a funny sign, sounds almost like a children's nursery rhyme.
Posted by: Inside Cambodia | January 09, 2013 at 07:52 PM
thanks for explaining more about what it meant. reminds me of the flight approach training: red over white = you're alright; white over red = you're dead. something like that, anyway.
Posted by: TexWisGirl | January 09, 2013 at 07:16 PM
The screaming and shouting comes naturally to me too. Good sign for the yacht basin.
Posted by: Carver | January 09, 2013 at 06:35 PM
I think that "advice" is also good for two legged "fools".
Posted by: Ewok | January 09, 2013 at 05:08 PM
Good advice. That's exactly what I do!
Posted by: Kathy | January 09, 2013 at 04:11 PM
How in the world do you run your boat in circle....with difficulty :-) Great poetic sign. genie
Posted by: genie | January 09, 2013 at 03:40 PM
those mariners were good at the rhymes, weren't they?!
Posted by: Lesley | January 09, 2013 at 03:26 PM
ah so brilliant
Posted by: gerald | January 09, 2013 at 02:58 PM
cool sign. :)
Posted by: NatureFootstep | January 09, 2013 at 02:57 PM
Ha! Very cute!
Posted by: EG CameraGirl , Canada | January 09, 2013 at 01:49 PM
Hilarious but serious sign! Love how it is presented as a shiny plaque rather than just paper!
Posted by: Gemma Wiseman | January 09, 2013 at 01:26 PM
I'd hope there wouldn't be any running in circles in the boat I was in because I get seasick very easily! ;)
Posted by: Pat | January 09, 2013 at 11:50 AM
It's almost like driving on the road without any lines painted on them.
Posted by: Andy | January 09, 2013 at 11:45 AM
They made their signs very original. I'm sure more people notice them.
Posted by: Marleen, NL | January 09, 2013 at 11:29 AM
Brilliant! Fortunately, my local canal boats travel very slowly-and most time is spent waiting at Locks!
Posted by: HAZEL | January 09, 2013 at 11:08 AM