GOOD ADVICE FOR BOATERS?

 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!

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 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

 

 

Comments

[Rambling Woods]

I like that sign...made me smile..

[laura k]

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!

[Halcyon]

A very useful sign!

[Pam:)]

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.

[Margot]

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.

[Joe Todd]

Love the post...

[Annie]

Funny advice !

[ladyfi]

Ha ha - how wonderful!

[diane]

Does the screaming work? Do you have river rage like we have road rage?

[Eileen]

I get seasick and can no imagine going round in circles. Cute post, Sallie!

[Gattina]

I would rather run away then in circles, lol ! I could get dizzy !

[Gaelyn]

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.

[Gail]

Haha, yes, running in circles screaming would come naturally for me too. :) Such a quaint collection of sayings to help one remember safety.

[islandrambles]

love the signs, it is true mariners love to rhyme their rules...the terns below are excellent also.

[Inside Cambodia]

That is a funny sign, sounds almost like a children's nursery rhyme.

[TexWisGirl]

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.

[Carver]

The screaming and shouting comes naturally to me too. Good sign for the yacht basin.

[Ewok]

I think that "advice" is also good for two legged "fools".

[Kathy]

Good advice. That's exactly what I do!

[genie]

How in the world do you run your boat in circle....with difficulty :-) Great poetic sign. genie

[Lesley]

those mariners were good at the rhymes, weren't they?!

[gerald]

ah so brilliant

[NatureFootstep]

cool sign. :)

[EG CameraGirl , Canada]

Ha! Very cute!

[Gemma Wiseman]

Hilarious but serious sign! Love how it is presented as a shiny plaque rather than just paper!

[Pat]

I'd hope there wouldn't be any running in circles in the boat I was in because I get seasick very easily! ;)

[Andy]

It's almost like driving on the road without any lines painted on them.

[Marleen, NL]

They made their signs very original. I'm sure more people notice them.

[HAZEL]

Brilliant! Fortunately, my local canal boats travel very slowly-and most time is spent waiting at Locks!