Me wrote:



I think that it will be very interesting to see what the Marine Safety
Officer will conclude from the investigation of this grounding. I
suspect that the Master is going to have to hire a pile of GOOD Sea
Lawyers, just to keep his license from being suspended, or revoked.
Looks to me like a case of very Poor Seamanship, and navigation.
For a Small Passenger Ship to get itself in such a situation, shows
how much there is a need for better testing for a Masters License.


Me

Until all the facts are in, we'll have to speculate. My only sense is
that he was too far right in his approach. If so, what caused this
and/or why, will determine much of what happens next.

As for license exams......
An exam is only an indication of how well someone takes exams and knows
basic information. From there, it becomes the onus of the
owners/managers of the particular vessel, to determine the suitability
of an individual to perform under that license.
If you look at those individuals giving the test for US upper licenses,
I doubt you'd find one who is themselves, qualified to hold that license.

otn

In article et,
says...



Until all the facts are in, we'll have to speculate. My only sense is
that he was too far right in his approach. If so, what caused this
and/or why, will determine much of what happens next.

Nearly did something similar once approaching Shinnecock Inlet on Long
Island. We were coming from the west along the shore and aimed for the buoy
just off the jetty when I noticed an awful lot of white water where there
should not have been any. Changed direction to the sea buoy and then came
straight in to the inlet from there. Lots of shoaling on either side of the
inlet well out past the jetties.

On Sun, 27 Mar 2005 08:12:04 -0500, Gogarty
wrote:

Changed direction to the sea buoy and then came
straight in to the inlet from there. Lots of shoaling on either side of the
inlet well out past the jetties.

============================

That's a good point. The sea buoys are usually positioned where they
are for a reason.

The other thing you will find is tests that don't relate to 90% of what
the master of a traditional vessel does in a day.