Jeff Morris wrote:

As fate would have it, I came home this morning through some thick fog. This was not the
same as "Pea Soup" that we have talked about, and the wind was flat calm, but it was
interesting.

We had gone out last night knowing today was iffy, but the forecasters had been optimistic
about the morning. We wanted to take the dog and cats for a trip together to see how it
would work - it worked out though Molly did get a few scratches on her nose. We anchored
behind Long Island (in the middle of Boston Harbor) and had a nice, quiet night. About
7:30 AM a thick band of rain came through in advance of the warm front, and we decided to
split when it passed, at about 10AM.

Visibility was good, but the conditions "ripe" so the radar was warmed up and the GPS had
our standard route home programmed. We headed for Nubble Channel and 10 minutes later I
noticed Long Island was "fading out" as we entered the channel. Long I and Gallup's I,
about 1/4 mile on either side were not visible. From the first pair of buoys the second
pair was not visible - this meant about 200 yards to complete whiteout. I got a glimpse
of a bridge, tooted, and hugged the side of the channel - it turned out to be a Coast
Guard boat - I never picked it up on radar even though I knew it was there, and they never
signaled.

I would give someone serious thought as to why you never saw them on
radar.... wrong range? not tuned? blended in with the shoreline? Have a
feeling there's something to be learned here.....

As we exited Nubble Channel at about 5 knots (4 on the GPS) I heard another engine and
tooted, we got a reply and a small ferry (100 feet, 100 tons) emerged, about 150 yards to
our left, doing maybe 6-8 knots. For a few seconds I thought they would let us go ahead
(we were crossing from their right) but they held speed and turn to the port. We had no
choice but to use reverse and let them pass closely in front of us. From the time we
picked them up until they passed in front, 30 seconds had transpired.

You saw them but could they see you other than on radar. These can vary
and as you say, perspectives can vary .... main point....you both missed
(his turn to port makes me question his basic route intentions and train
of thought).

I wasn't pleased with their actions, though I'd guess they saw things a bit differently -
with the current and very close proximity of hazards they probably had no desire to do an
emergency stop. Maybe they had fallen in behind the CG boat when the fog clamped down 10
minutes earlier. The thing they really did wrong is that they should have lined up on
the channel straight on instead of approaching from the side.

Quite possibly was set up on this approach prior to fog and decided to
stay with it ....not always best decision.

otn
G any landing, docking, fog, you walk away from, is a good day......

For the smaller CG boat
this was not a risky maneuver, but the larger ferry was not able to do the turn without
using a lot of space. Because they approached alongside the island, we were blocked from
each other by the end of the island, and they had to take a 90 degree turn, completely
blocking the path of anyone exiting. However, because I was able to come to a complete
stop in a boat length, there was no great risk. The one thing I wish I had done was to
make a securite call in the narrow channel.

What if we had been under sail? Depending on the wind direction we might have been able
to do a donut, or ducked under their stern. Had we been doing more than 4-5 knots the
risk would have been a lot greater; at 8 knots there may well have been a collision. I'm
sure Neal will claim that this proves that powerboats are dangerous, but one must remember
that 10 minutes earlier there had been 3 miles visibility, and the powerboat was at a
speed the Neal has declared safe.



--
-jeff
"Constant Vigilance!" - Frances W. Wright

"otnmbrd" wrote in message news:y9GWa.1579
I got a glimpse
of a bridge, tooted, and hugged the side of the channel - it turned out to be a Coast
Guard boat - I never picked it up on radar even though I knew it was there, and they
never
signaled.

I would give someone serious thought as to why you never saw them on
radar.... wrong range? not tuned? blended in with the shoreline? Have a
feeling there's something to be learned here.....

Much to be learned ... The radar is a 4 year old Ray SL 72 on default settings, auto gain.
The range was 3/4 mile because I was using it more for navigation - finding the buoys and
ranging the islands. I was also more concerned with what might be out in the main ship
channel that lay ahead than what was immediately in front of me in the side channel. At
that range, the three pairs of channel buoys were all fairly tight on the screen - I
really should have been at 1/2 or 1/4 mile range in the channel, and doing a knot less so
there'd be time to actually analyze the screen.

Also, working some of the time distance, 10 minutes earlier there was no fog, 5 minutes
later it was patchy, then within about 2 minutes it went to 1/4 mile. It was only when I
realized how close the CG boat had come before I identify them clearly that I realized it
was down below 200 yards. It that point, I reduced the range and would have picked up
the second boat but heard its engine first.

The fog stayed thick as I rather nervously crossed the main channel. Another reminder -
its exceptionally difficult to hold a course when there are no landmarks at all. I should
have used the autopilot so I could focus more on the radar while my wife was the visual
lookout. In about 10 minutes we were closer to the airport in shallower (warmer) water so
the fog thinned a bit - 1/4 mile visibility seems easy after a whiteout! I had the time
now to play with the radar - with the flat seas I could have had the gain higher than
"auto"

BTW, the flood tide had started about an hour earlier - is that what brought the fog in,
or was it just due to the rain stopping? The spot where this occured was right at the
entrance to the harbor. Perhaps a coincidence - on several other occasions over the years
the fog has clamped down on us quickly in the same area - always with interesting results!


As we exited Nubble Channel at about 5 knots (4 on the GPS) I heard another engine and
tooted, we got a reply and a small ferry (100 feet, 100 tons) emerged, about 150 yards
to
our left, doing maybe 6-8 knots. For a few seconds I thought they would let us go
ahead
(we were crossing from their right) but they held speed and turn to the port. We had
no
choice but to use reverse and let them pass closely in front of us. From the time we
picked them up until they passed in front, 30 seconds had transpired.

You saw them but could they see you other than on radar. These can vary
and as you say, perspectives can vary .... main point....you both missed
(his turn to port makes me question his basic route intentions and train
of thought).

I kept wondering "what are they doing?" but it was pretty clear (especially with
hindsight) that they wanted to go up the channel I was leaving. If they were headed to
the alternate channel, The Narrows, they were cutting too close to Nixe's Mate, the major
hazard in the area. Normally they approach by crossing the main channel, but in the fog
they might have felt it was better to get over to the side quickly, then make the big turn
into the side channel.

Another lesson - in a stressful situation, something that normally would be quite obvious
can be confusing. Also, things can evolve so quickly there isn't time to gather all the
necessary information. In slightly better visibility it would have been obvious they
couldn't be going around Nixes Mate, but I wasn't inclined to look a the chart to verify
since it really didn't bear on the immediate issue.

It took about two seconds to conclude that if I tried to pass in front I couldn't predict
the outcome, while if I backed down the risk was ended immediately. My momentary
hesitation was thinking he might defer to me (yeh, right!).


I wasn't pleased with their actions, though I'd guess they saw things a bit
differently -
with the current and very close proximity of hazards they probably had no desire to do
an
emergency stop. Maybe they had fallen in behind the CG boat when the fog clamped down
10
minutes earlier. The thing they really did wrong is that they should have lined up
on
the channel straight on instead of approaching from the side.

Quite possibly was set up on this approach prior to fog and decided to
stay with it ....not always best decision.

Or, perhaps he changed plans at the last minute and didn't fully appreciate the
possibilities.


otn
G any landing, docking, fog, you walk away from, is a good day......


I'll drink to that!


--
-jeff www.sv-loki.com
If you can't say something nice, say something surrealistic. -Zippy

I had to make my back in dense fog about a month ago at dusk. No radar, and
if not for GPS, probably would have stayed out until it lifted a bit. I
never thought of the autopilot as a safety device, but you are right about
the disorienting effect of a lack of visual cues. The instant I look away
from the compass, the boats heading changes, and my sense of direction
fails. It still *feels* like I am going on the same course, even though it
is way off. I find that it takes a force of will to trust your instruments
when your gut is screaming something else.

Steve

Jeff Morris wrote:
"otnmbrd" wrote in message news:y9GWa.1579

I got a glimpse
of a bridge, tooted, and hugged the side of the channel - it turned out to be a Coast
Guard boat - I never picked it up on radar even though I knew it was there, and they

never

signaled.

I would give someone serious thought as to why you never saw them on
radar.... wrong range? not tuned? blended in with the shoreline? Have a
feeling there's something to be learned here.....


Much to be learned ... The radar is a 4 year old Ray SL 72 on default settings, auto gain.
The range was 3/4 mile because I was using it more for navigation - finding the buoys and
ranging the islands. I was also more concerned with what might be out in the main ship
channel that lay ahead than what was immediately in front of me in the side channel. At
that range, the three pairs of channel buoys were all fairly tight on the screen - I
really should have been at 1/2 or 1/4 mile range in the channel, and doing a knot less so
there'd be time to actually analyze the screen.

Always try to use the longest range that gives you the best picture, but
doesn't cause you to lose in close targets (especially in the sea
return) or blend them ... kind of a personal call .... what works best
for you and your equipment.
Another habit to get into, especially at night and in fog, is to scan
between the various ranges, at times, to confirm no close in or farther
out targets.

Also, working some of the time distance, 10 minutes earlier there was no fog, 5 minutes
later it was patchy, then within about 2 minutes it went to 1/4 mile. It was only when I
realized how close the CG boat had come before I identify them clearly that I realized it
was down below 200 yards. It that point, I reduced the range and would have picked up
the second boat but heard its engine first.

The fog stayed thick as I rather nervously crossed the main channel. Another reminder -
its exceptionally difficult to hold a course when there are no landmarks at all. I should
have used the autopilot so I could focus more on the radar while my wife was the visual
lookout. In about 10 minutes we were closer to the airport in shallower (warmer) water so
the fog thinned a bit - 1/4 mile visibility seems easy after a whiteout! I had the time
now to play with the radar - with the flat seas I could have had the gain higher than
"auto"

Steering by compass alone is no problem, but trying to do that and also
watch your radar, can and does create a problem, especially when you are
not blessed with extra hands to fill in. The auto pilot can come in
handy (although the courts and CG frown upon it's use in fog) especially
if you can easily change course while using it.

BTW, the flood tide had started about an hour earlier - is that what brought the fog in,
or was it just due to the rain stopping? The spot where this occured was right at the
entrance to the harbor. Perhaps a coincidence - on several other occasions over the years
the fog has clamped down on us quickly in the same area - always with interesting results!

Advection fog ..... if the rain you'd had was still in the area and the
air was warmer and still moist,(coming from the West) the incoming tide
could have brought in colder water ....presto chango.

otn

Realization of responsibility is quit often frightening.
And at least, sobering.

"Steve Thomas" wrote in message
news
I had to make my back in dense fog about a month ago at dusk. No
radar, and
if not for GPS, probably would have stayed out until it lifted a bit.
I
never thought of the autopilot as a safety device, but you are right
about
the disorienting effect of a lack of visual cues. The instant I look
away
from the compass, the boats heading changes, and my sense of direction
fails. It still *feels* like I am going on the same course, even
though it
is way off. I find that it takes a force of will to trust your
instruments
when your gut is screaming something else.

Steve

"Scott Vernon" wrote in
:

What would you have done differently, if anything, without radar? Did
you ring your bell?



you ring mine Scotty!

Bertie

"Scott Vernon" wrote in
:

What would you have done differently, if anything, without radar? Did
you ring your bell?

We really don't want to know, Scotty.


Bertie
Scotty

"Jeff Morris" jeffmo@NoSpam-sv-lokiDOTcom wrote in message
...
"otnmbrd" wrote in message news:y9GWa.1579
I got a glimpse
of a bridge, tooted, and hugged the side of the channel - it
turned
out to be a Coast
Guard boat - I never picked it up on radar even though I knew it
was
there, and they
never
signaled.

I would give someone serious thought as to why you never saw them
on radar.... wrong range? not tuned? blended in with the shoreline?
Have a feeling there's something to be learned here.....

Much to be learned ... The radar is a 4 year old Ray SL 72 on default
settings, auto gain.
The range was 3/4 mile because I was using it more for navigation -
finding the buoys and
ranging the islands. I was also more concerned with what might be
out in
the main ship
channel that lay ahead than what was immediately in front of me in
the
side channel. At
that range, the three pairs of channel buoys were all fairly tight on
the
screen - I
really should have been at 1/2 or 1/4 mile range in the channel, and
doing
a knot less so
there'd be time to actually analyze the screen.

Also, working some of the time distance, 10 minutes earlier there was
no
fog, 5 minutes
later it was patchy, then within about 2 minutes it went to 1/4 mile.
It
was only when I
realized how close the CG boat had come before I identify them
clearly
that I realized it
was down below 200 yards. It that point, I reduced the range and
would
have picked up
the second boat but heard its engine first.

The fog stayed thick as I rather nervously crossed the main channel.
Another reminder -
its exceptionally difficult to hold a course when there are no
landmarks
at all. I should
have used the autopilot so I could focus more on the radar while my
wife
was the visual
lookout. In about 10 minutes we were closer to the airport in
shallower
(warmer) water so
the fog thinned a bit - 1/4 mile visibility seems easy after a
whiteout!
I had the time
now to play with the radar - with the flat seas I could have had the
gain
higher than
"auto"

BTW, the flood tide had started about an hour earlier - is that what
brought the fog in,
or was it just due to the rain stopping? The spot where this occured
was
right at the
entrance to the harbor. Perhaps a coincidence - on several other
occasions over the years
the fog has clamped down on us quickly in the same area - always with
interesting results!


As we exited Nubble Channel at about 5 knots (4 on the GPS) I
heard
another engine and
tooted, we got a reply and a small ferry (100 feet, 100 tons)
emerged,
about 150 yards
to
our left, doing maybe 6-8 knots. For a few seconds I thought
they
would let us go
ahead
(we were crossing from their right) but they held speed and turn
to
the port. We had
no
choice but to use reverse and let them pass closely in front of
us.
From the time we