One radar reflector, A torch to flash over sails in low visibility
condition, and "eyes". Nothing better than someone on deck with a hand
compass taking a bearing on the approaching vessel.. Rememeber, if the
bearing doesnt change you are going to collide. Simple!

Definately, definately post watches around the clock unless you are sailing
in the southern ocean perhaps. If you are in shipping lanes or anywhere that
has "traffic" you need a good watch keeping system. And people who go to
sleep on watch should still be keel hauled. (personal opinion there).

I woke up once to find a watch keeper asleep in the cockpit. There was a
ship only 500 meters away. Sleeping beauty could have killed us all. This
raises a couple of interesting points. Watches should be made so not to
fatigue the crew any more than nessesary. Tasks and challenges can be set at
night to keep the crew busy durning the watch to prevent them from "nodding
off". Peel tomorrow vegies, Entrys to personal logs, cleaning, safety
inspections around the deck- what ever.

DP
"~^ beancounter ~^" wrote in message
oups.com...
What are some opinions and methods sailors are
utilizing these days, in open ocean/offshore
anti collision measures? Are folks/sailors using
good radar systems with alarms (if so what brands)
or just post and conduct regular watches, utilize
radar reflectors, etc? ... Ween i say "open ocean/off
shore" i mean crossing oceans, 20-30 days of straight
sailing, etc...


thanx...