On Wed, 26 Jan 2005 11:45:54 GMT, "Roger Long"
wrote:



In 36 years of sailing I've never run hard and unexpectedly aground
but, almost every time I was startled by the sight of a swirl of water
or flash of weed and ledge I didn't expect, it was because I was still
learning these simple concepts.

Good advice. Even very basic stuff like bits of tape on coamings to
get bearings, or having a hand compass and low-power birder's glasses
next to the companionway allows you to react quickly...like when the
fog is rolling in and you have a few seconds to get a bearing before
you are officially lost.

Did I not mention Dubya turned off the GPS or you dropped it in the
sea or the batteries are flat?

Ah, coastal pilotage. is there anything it can't do?

R.