Going at it from outside the Coast Guard... you know the Fed branch that regulates waters, or the FAA, the ones that rule the air?
Da plane was on the water at the time of the incident.
Exactly! And the pecking order states clearly that a seaplane on the water has the lowest priority.
The narrow channel rule, Rule 9, supersedes Rule 18. Oddly, there is not a legal definition of "narrow channel" in the rules. Marked narrow channels are somewhat obvious. Those that aren't marked, aren't always obvious. Court cases determine which bodies of water are considered narrow channels, Halibut cove has the characteristics of places that are found to be narrow channels in court rulings. In that case, a vessel crossing the channel cannot impede the passage of a vessel that can operate safely only within the channel. The sea plane is certainly limited in where they can operate within Halibut cove.
In addition to violating rule 9, the boat also violated Rule 2 and Rule 8.
2, 8 AND 9? That sounds like some serious do-do! I sense that Double Secret Probation will be forthcoming. 😳
