The skipper, sitting on the foredeck, was probably meeting the minimum
definition of keeping watch while underway. Remote controls for
autopilots are common, and remotes for throttles and shifters are
becoming so as well.



Wayne.B wrote:
I agree but the foredeck is not the ideal place to observe the track
of the boat

True

... and it would take more than a few seconds to scramble
back to the helm in an emergency.

Also true

... I doubt that this particular boat
had full fly-by-wire controls but I know there are some very
sophisticated systems available nowadays.

And the prices are coming down. That doesn't make it good sense to drive
the boat by remote from the foredeck in a narrow channel with constant
traffic!

We were sailing along in the Chesapeake on a sunny day and encountered a
large (40' or so) cruising sailboat that appeared to have nobody aboard.
Sails set, trucking along along on a close reach, aimed to pass us
pretty close, so I luffed up and let it pass, thinking to get a better
look and maybe radio the situation to somebody. Lo and behold, as we go
by, a head pops up out of the companionway and the rather irate skipper
starts chewing us out for violating his "right-of-way." He shouted
(among other things) "Can't you see my vessel is on autopilot?!?" I
didn't say anything, but my wife laughing at him did not improve his temper.

I wonder how long it took him to learn his lesson, and if he ran down
any smaller vessels in the process.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King