ocean crusing & anti collision tactics....
 

It was about 2700kt miles from Cabo to Hilo Hawaii, 6 weeks in hawaii
waitinig for the Pacific Hi to stabilize then about 2700 from Oahu to
Astoria at the mouth of the Columbia.
We took the Bajahaha down from San Diego to Cabo, then spent the season
in Mexico. We decided to go back to the North West via Hawaii to take
advantage of the Monitor wind vane. It is an old Swan 38, mono hull. We
were able to keep the speed up pretty well and had fairly good wind on
the way over, usually from kept speed up to 4.5 to 7kts, with only one
day with less. On the way back we went further because we had to go
around the high, but had better wind and went a bit faster. If we got
over 7.5 I would slow it down. Small crew, and I didn't need anything
to break a long way from a chandlery.
Only had one problem on the trip. Rod went through the motor in
Cabo, only had 400 hours on it, and Yanmar paid for everything. I, like
many cruisers, have a web site at harlanadventures.com. If you look on
yachtworld.com you will see it for sail in Portland OR.

Beancounter, what type of boats are you looking at?

ocean crusing & anti collision tactics....
 

ericson 38...1984 - 1990 ... will
initially be doing solo sailing, w/crew
later...


"Beancounter, what type of
boats are you looking at?"

ocean crusing & anti collision tactics....
 

I would take a look at installing an "active radar reflector" such as
the Sea-Me unit ( http://www.sea-me.co.uk/index.html ). It amplifies
and retransmit received radar signals to make you a much bigger target
on the other ship's radar. That way the other ship's computerized
anti-collision systems will wake up and take notice.

These are quite popular in the UK and really seem to work. I've got one
on my boat (British built). I have a feeling these are not strictly
legal in the US and I don't turn mine on except when offshore. The unit
also has a red light at the nav station that lights (and can be hooked
to an alarm) whenever radar is sweeping the boat. Cost is about $700,
it uses little power, and requires just a 12"x1" antenna at the top of
the mast.

I have no connection with this company other than being a happy
customer (it's really fun to look like a 300' ship). I also keep a good
watch!

Carl

ocean crusing & anti collision tactics....
 

"Carl" wrote in message
oups.com...

I would take a look at installing an "active radar reflector" such as
the Sea-Me unit ( http://www.sea-me.co.uk/index.html ). It amplifies
and retransmit received radar signals to make you a much bigger target
on the other ship's radar. That way the other ship's computerized
anti-collision systems will wake up and take notice.

These are quite popular in the UK and really seem to work. I've got one
on my boat (British built). I have a feeling these are not strictly
legal in the US and I don't turn mine on except when offshore. The unit
also has a red light at the nav station that lights (and can be hooked
to an alarm) whenever radar is sweeping the boat. Cost is about $700,
it uses little power, and requires just a 12"x1" antenna at the top of
the mast.

I have no connection with this company other than being a happy
customer (it's really fun to look like a 300' ship). I also keep a good
watch!

Carl

Why do you have the feeling it's not strictly legal in the US?

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

ocean crusing & anti collision tactics....
 

On 23 Oct 2005 09:33:24 -0700, "Carl" wrote:


I would take a look at installing an "active radar reflector" such as
the Sea-Me unit ( http://www.sea-me.co.uk/index.html ). It amplifies
and retransmit received radar signals to make you a much bigger target
on the other ship's radar. That way the other ship's computerized
anti-collision systems will wake up and take notice.
///
I have a feeling these are not strictly
legal in the US and I don't turn mine on except when offshore.
///
Carl

I can't imagine why this device would be legislated against.
It is quite analogous to wearing reflective garments at night when
riding a bike.

Brian Whatcott Altus OK

ocean crusing & anti collision tactics....
 

excellent ... than you carl

ocean crusing & anti collision tactics....
 

i would state "see and be seen" is a logical
goal...some of my bias will be from my flying
expierences....the tool looks good to me...(see-me-unit)...

ocean crusing & anti collision tactics....
 

The enhanced reflector is nice but not on my wishlist.
I think it's much more important to see others early than being seen
by others. The interesting part is the radar-detection-feature.
That made me think... why not use a police-radar-detector that costs
like usd 50,= ? Ok, add a few bucks to make it waterproof...
Thanks for getting me started.

Len
S/v Present


On 23 Oct 2005 09:33:24 -0700, "Carl" wrote:


I would take a look at installing an "active radar reflector" such as
the Sea-Me unit ( http://www.sea-me.co.uk/index.html ). It amplifies
and retransmit received radar signals to make you a much bigger target
on the other ship's radar. That way the other ship's computerized
anti-collision systems will wake up and take notice.

These are quite popular in the UK and really seem to work. I've got one
on my boat (British built). I have a feeling these are not strictly
legal in the US and I don't turn mine on except when offshore. The unit
also has a red light at the nav station that lights (and can be hooked
to an alarm) whenever radar is sweeping the boat. Cost is about $700,
it uses little power, and requires just a 12"x1" antenna at the top of
the mast.

I have no connection with this company other than being a happy
customer (it's really fun to look like a 300' ship). I also keep a good
watch!

Carl

ocean crusing & anti collision tactics....
 

Brian,

I agree that I want to see him early and your radar detector idea might
work. Still, if a 600 ft ship is approaching at 22 knots, I don't want
to be the only guy trying to get out of the way.

On the "legal" issue. I'm probably overly suspicious of the FCC's
interest in anything that transmits (although my radar transmits on the
same frequency). I just can't figure out why you don't see these things
around. I've never had any faith that a radar reflector that's small
enough to put up in the rigging can do much good.

Carl

ocean crusing & anti collision tactics....
 

Len wrote:
On 23 Oct 2005 17:48:19 -0700, "Carl" wrote:
After sighting by eyes or radar (or,thanks to your post,my new 50usd
radardetector) I'll turn on my marine-pc and my 250usd ais-receiver.

I'll be able to see the 600ft ship's course and speed and when needed
I'll hail this ship by it's right name on vhf70 or call it by dsc
using it's unique mmsi-number. After identyfying myself and my
position we'll discuss and verify the probably one and only right way
to avoid any risk of a collision-course.

Here in the Netherlands the government is contemplating making ais
mandatory (also for 300t vessels and indeed also for yachts) cause
freigthers increasingly tend to use ais as sole informationsource over
radar. This is imo a good development. Ais will work 100% when
everybody, everywhere uses it. One might expect these rules will find
their way into supernational legislation.

Len, following your post about AIS Live I went to check into what was
active in my cruising area, the Adriatic. Zilch - zero - nada - not a
single AIS equipped ship was reporting in the entire Adriatic Sea,
although clearly the system was active as there were a few clusters
around Malta, Athens and Marseilles when I included the whole Mediterranean.

Now I know there are masses of freighters and large ferries converging
on Trieste, Venice, Rijecka, Ancona, Bari, Split, etc, etc. every day of
the year, indeed, I had a hair-raising close call with a monster, 50
knot, catamaran ferry 10 nm off the Croatian coast last year - but it
would seem that AIS would not have helped me.

It is likely that all the small companies that can avoid installation
until the mandatory 2008, under whatever regulations they fall under, or
are illegally avoiding installing, or the crews are not bothering to
activate if they are installed, are doing so.

Best,
BrianH.

ocean crusing & anti collision tactics....
 

On 23 Oct 2005 17:48:19 -0700, "Carl" wrote:
I agree that I want to see him early and your radar detector idea might
work. Still, if a 600 ft ship is approaching at 22 knots, I don't want
to be the only guy trying to get out of the way.

Ok, forgive my being a bit persistent but: not having this enhanced
reflector (btw: I was always clearly visible using a cheap passive
one, mounted correctly) doesn't mean you'll be the only guy trying to
get out of the way.

After sighting by eyes or radar (or,thanks to your post,my new 50usd
radardetector) I'll turn on my marine-pc and my 250usd ais-receiver.

I'll be able to see the 600ft ship's course and speed and when needed
I'll hail this ship by it's right name on vhf70 or call it by dsc
using it's unique mmsi-number. After identyfying myself and my
position we'll discuss and verify the probably one and only right way
to avoid any risk of a collision-course.

Here in the Netherlands the government is contemplating making ais
mandatory (also for 300t vessels and indeed also for yachts) cause
freigthers increasingly tend to use ais as sole informationsource over
radar. This is imo a good development. Ais will work 100% when
everybody, everywhere uses it. One might expect these rules will find
their way into supernational legislation.

Just my 2 cts.
Len
S/v Present

ocean crusing & anti collision tactics....
 

On Mon, 24 Oct 2005 11:47:04 +0200, BrianH wrote:
Len, following your post about AIS Live I went to check into what was
active in my cruising area, the Adriatic. Zilch - zero - nada - not a
single AIS equipped ship was reporting in the entire Adriatic Sea,
although clearly the system was active as there were a few clusters
around Malta, Athens and Marseilles when I included the whole Mediterranean.
Is it possible that the web based system you used missed some data
where the ships themselves were actually transmitting?

Now I know there are masses of freighters and large ferries converging
on Trieste, Venice, Rijecka, Ancona, Bari, Split, etc, etc. every day of
the year, indeed, I had a hair-raising close call with a monster, 50
knot, catamaran ferry 10 nm off the Croatian coast last year - but it
would seem that AIS would not have helped me.
You will never know afterwards.
In my knowledge commercial vessels never switch ais off. What
sometimes occurs is that they don't update their status in time. You
can sometimes see a freighter do 20 kts with the status "moored" or
"anchored". This doesn't affect safety though.

It is likely that all the small companies that can avoid installation
until the mandatory 2008, under whatever regulations they fall under, or
are illegally avoiding installing, or the crews are not bothering to
activate if they are installed, are doing so.
I agree 100% and in a previous post in this thread I already pointed
out one can't rely on one single system and when trusted naievely, ais
(as well as any other system) can lead to unsafe situations. In
intervals intense lookout is simply necessary. The discussion with
Carl is (in my interpretation) focussed on what subsidiairy system to
choose, the enhanced radar-reflector or ais, given the situation one
isn't filthy rich. Of course there always will be ships (fishermen fi)
without ais but there also will always be ships (fishermen fi) that
don't turn on their radar or -when it's operating-, don't constantly
watch their screen or even set the alarm.
Carl suggested not having a boosted reflector would lead to the
situation he would be the only guy getting out of the way. My answer
just referred to the reasons why I disagree on that.

ocean crusing & anti collision tactics....
 

Len wrote:
On Mon, 24 Oct 2005 11:47:04 +0200, BrianH wrote:

Len, following your post about AIS Live I went to check into what was
active in my cruising area, the Adriatic. Zilch - zero - nada - not a
single AIS equipped ship was reporting in the entire Adriatic Sea,
although clearly the system was active as there were a few clusters
around Malta, Athens and Marseilles when I included the whole Mediterranean.

Is it possible that the web based system you used missed some data
where the ships themselves were actually transmitting?

I really don't know, I just registered and clicked on Med. - Adriatic.

This was AIS Live, from, I think, your own posting. I was surprised
there was nothing shown - and the paucity of ships in the entire Med.
I've just repeated it and the display is similar. Perhaps the Public
site has limited ship data, but the explanation doesn't indicate that:
"As you can see the public site shows a snapshot of vessels with a
random time delay of at least one hour and with only limited information
available." Unless "limited information" refers to numbers of vessels
and not their data as I had inferred.


Now I know there are masses of freighters and large ferries converging
on Trieste, Venice, Rijecka, Ancona, Bari, Split, etc, etc. every day of
the year, indeed, I had a hair-raising close call with a monster, 50
knot, catamaran ferry 10 nm off the Croatian coast last year - but it
would seem that AIS would not have helped me.

You will never know afterwards.
I meant because if the site is a true reflection of the data, it would
not have shown. Had it shown on the screen I could have ascertained its
course; as it was, its approach speed and twin hulls made it difficult
to judge its exact heading.

In my knowledge commercial vessels never switch ais off. What
sometimes occurs is that they don't update their status in time. You
can sometimes see a freighter do 20 kts with the status "moored" or
"anchored". This doesn't affect safety though.


It is likely that all the small companies that can avoid installation
until the mandatory 2008, under whatever regulations they fall under, or
are illegally avoiding installing, or the crews are not bothering to
activate if they are installed, are doing so.

I agree 100% and in a previous post in this thread I already pointed
out one can't rely on one single system and when trusted naievely, ais
(as well as any other system) can lead to unsafe situations. In
intervals intense lookout is simply necessary. The discussion with
Carl is (in my interpretation) focussed on what subsidiairy system to
choose, the enhanced radar-reflector or ais, given the situation one
isn't filthy rich. Of course there always will be ships (fishermen fi)
without ais but there also will always be ships (fishermen fi) that
don't turn on their radar or -when it's operating-, don't constantly
watch their screen or even set the alarm.
Carl suggested not having a boosted reflector would lead to the
situation he would be the only guy getting out of the way. My answer
just referred to the reasons why I disagree on that.

I wasn't arguing with that - I totally agree with you.

Best,
BrianH.

ocean crusing & anti collision tactics....
 

"Carl" wrote in message
ups.com...
Brian,

I agree that I want to see him early and your radar detector idea might
work. Still, if a 600 ft ship is approaching at 22 knots, I don't want
to be the only guy trying to get out of the way.

On the "legal" issue. I'm probably overly suspicious of the FCC's
interest in anything that transmits (although my radar transmits on the
same frequency). I just can't figure out why you don't see these things
around. I've never had any faith that a radar reflector that's small
enough to put up in the rigging can do much good.

Carl


Carl,

I just got an email from the company that makes the product -- they said
there is no issue of legality.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

ocean crusing & anti collision tactics....
 

In article ,
"Capt. JG" wrote:

"Carl" wrote in message
oups.com...

I would take a look at installing an "active radar reflector" such as
the Sea-Me unit ( http://www.sea-me.co.uk/index.html ). It amplifies
and retransmit received radar signals to make you a much bigger target
on the other ship's radar. That way the other ship's computerized
anti-collision systems will wake up and take notice.

These are quite popular in the UK and really seem to work. I've got one
on my boat (British built). I have a feeling these are not strictly
legal in the US and I don't turn mine on except when offshore. The unit
also has a red light at the nav station that lights (and can be hooked
to an alarm) whenever radar is sweeping the boat. Cost is about $700,
it uses little power, and requires just a 12"x1" antenna at the top of
the mast.

I have no connection with this company other than being a happy
customer (it's really fun to look like a 300' ship). I also keep a good
watch!

Carl

Why do you have the feeling it's not strictly legal in the US?

For the simple reason that there haven't been many of these type units
Type Accepted in the USA. Type Acceptance is REQUIRED for any
electronic emiting device sold in the US. The process of Type Acceptance
will decide if the device is Licenseable or would come under the Part 15
Rules.

Bruce in alaska
--
add a 2 before @

ocean crusing & anti collision tactics....
 

"Bruce in Alaska" wrote in message
...
In article ,
"Capt. JG" wrote:

"Carl" wrote in message
oups.com...

I would take a look at installing an "active radar reflector" such as
the Sea-Me unit ( http://www.sea-me.co.uk/index.html ). It amplifies
and retransmit received radar signals to make you a much bigger target
on the other ship's radar. That way the other ship's computerized
anti-collision systems will wake up and take notice.

These are quite popular in the UK and really seem to work. I've got one
on my boat (British built). I have a feeling these are not strictly
legal in the US and I don't turn mine on except when offshore. The unit
also has a red light at the nav station that lights (and can be hooked
to an alarm) whenever radar is sweeping the boat. Cost is about $700,
it uses little power, and requires just a 12"x1" antenna at the top of
the mast.

I have no connection with this company other than being a happy
customer (it's really fun to look like a 300' ship). I also keep a good
watch!

Carl

Why do you have the feeling it's not strictly legal in the US?

For the simple reason that there haven't been many of these type units
Type Accepted in the USA. Type Acceptance is REQUIRED for any
electronic emiting device sold in the US. The process of Type Acceptance
will decide if the device is Licenseable or would come under the Part 15
Rules.

Bruce in alaska
--

Checked their home page and it seems they have vendors all over the planet
including San Diego:

Honor Marine Communications
2120 Main Street
San Diego
CA 92113

Tel: 619-233-7666

ocean crusing & anti collision tactics....
 

Hi Len,

I would agree (this has also been a fun thread):

a) Universal (or close to universal) use of AIS would be the best
solution.

b) Radio contact is a close second if it can be established in time and
everyone involved can figure out who is who.

c) Good radar watches should not be assumed on either offshore yachts
or commercial ships (Naval vessels are another matter) -- how much
money you want to throw at the problem -- for radar reflectors, alarms,
or extra watch-keeping crew -- is a captain's decision that probably
has something to do with a memory of a close call on a foggy night.

Carl

ocean crusing & anti collision tactics....
 

My limited experience with seeing passive returns was a big surprise. A
50' wooden boat broadside in calm waters 300 yards off didn't give
any return until the gain was turned up to the point it would give too
much cutter in rougher water. I also don't see too much of the folks
with the Davis type reflector, three sheets of metal put together at
right angles. The type I have is the Ferdel Bilpper, I was seen by
everyone I asked. I was able to see everyone who had a the any of the
more expensive reflectors that were covered in plastic. Apparently they
have more facets that are in more directions and give a better
reflections. I buddy boated 200 miles up the coast once with some
friends in a 46' Kelly Peterson and a 38foot sloop. The Peterson had
a Davis type reflector and the other sloop had a more modern reflector.
The sloop and I rarely saw the Kelly Peterson and were able to see each
other consistently. I was always amazed at how many boats I didn't
see on the radar. It's a Raymarine SL72
Unfortunately the active radar reflector is not cheap, about 50
percent the coast of the low end Raymarine and about $100 less then a
JRC Radar 1000 MKII. If I had a limited budget and had to choose, I
would take the radar.

John
S/V Pangea

ocean crusing & anti collision tactics....
 

wrote in message
oups.com...

My limited experience with seeing passive returns was a big surprise. A
50' wooden boat broadside in calm waters 300 yards off didn't give
any return until the gain was turned up to the point it would give too
much cutter in rougher water.

snip

John
S/V Pangea

There's a "possible" tuning flaw here.....
Set your picture up for maximum clarity and target acquisition first, then
use "sea clutter" controls (and often, "rain clutter") to reduce clutter in
rougher water, rather than gain/intensity.
Admittedly, you may have to reduce gain at lower ranges, but always try
clutter controls first.
When doing the initial set-up, use a higher range to begin with (3,6,12mi.
depending on your set) and get your best picture there.

otn

ocean crusing & anti collision tactics....
 

"otnmbrd" wrote in message
nk.net...

wrote in message
oups.com...

My limited experience with seeing passive returns was a big surprise. A
50' wooden boat broadside in calm waters 300 yards off didn't give
any return until the gain was turned up to the point it would give too
much cutter in rougher water.

snip

John
S/V Pangea

There's a "possible" tuning flaw here.....
Set your picture up for maximum clarity and target acquisition first, then
use "sea clutter" controls (and often, "rain clutter") to reduce clutter
in rougher water, rather than gain/intensity.
Admittedly, you may have to reduce gain at lower ranges, but always try
clutter controls first.
When doing the initial set-up, use a higher range to begin with (3,6,12mi.
depending on your set) and get your best picture there.

otn

That procedure works well with my JRC Radar 2000. Keep the gain turned up
all the way and increase the sea clutter setting as you go to shorter
ranges. I just started using it this summer and I'm impressed with its
ability to pick up targets. There was, however, an initial tuning
adjustment that I had to go through to get this level of performance. This
procedure peaked the tuning to obtain the maximum number of targets. After
that I just leave it on Auto Tune and adjust sea clutter.

Those active radar reflectors seem overpriced considering all they are doing
is transmitting/receiving just like a radar unit but not providing a display
or any of the other bells/whistles associated with modern radar.

ocean crusing & anti collision tactics....
 

On Tue, 18 Oct 2005 19:01:40 -0400, rhys wrote:

Frankly, though, I have had far closer encounters with dopey fellow
recreational sailors, powerboaters and jetskiers than I have with
commercial maritime traffic. I have had 35-40 foot sailboats under
main and motor cross my path obviously under autopilot in Lake Ontario
with no one at the helm or visible. I gave one such "near miss" two
miles offshore a blast with the horn (I was under sail alone) and saw
a bed-headed sailor with a mug of what I assume was coffee appear in
his cockpit, peering owlishly about as I sailed off, having missed him
by about three boat lengths.

Coming back south to Lake Ontario was a real eye opener towards the
end of this season. The recreational traffic was so much denser in the
Niagara to Toronto area. I had got used to scanning the horizon,
seeing nothing, and figuring I had 10 or 15 minutes to myself.

The freighters were much easier to deal with. There weren't as many of
them. They didn't change course capriciously. Their lights were good.
It was still challenging to keep comfortably out of their way in tight
places like the St Clair River, especially at night.

Some people just don't get it. He probably thought his chartplotter
would shriek if he got near another vessel.

There's an advantage to starting out with very limited instruments

Ryk

ocean crusing & anti collision tactics....
 

Ryk,

I'm checking your arithmetic. Let's say the horizon is 4M away from the helm
of an average recreational vessel, so two such vessels in good visibility
might have sight of one another at 8M (but would look very small and not
"leap out" visually).

If one is a sailboat doing 5 kt, it will take quite a while to cover that
distance. But if the other is a planing powerboat doing 30 kt, it might be
there in roughly 15 minutes. Two power boats at that speed would be
"together" in half that time.

So, you might be about right. Does that mean you don't keep a constant
watch?

====

Charles T. Low
www.boatdocking.com

====

Coming back south to Lake Ontario was a real eye opener towards the
end of this season. The recreational traffic was so much denser in the
Niagara to Toronto area. I had got used to scanning the horizon,
seeing nothing, and figuring I had 10 or 15 minutes to myself.

The freighters were much easier to deal with. There weren't as many of
them. They didn't change course capriciously. Their lights were good.
It was still challenging to keep comfortably out of their way in tight
places like the St Clair River, especially at night.
...
Ryk

ocean crusing & anti collision tactics....
 

On Sun, 30 Oct 2005 05:58:28 -0500, "Charles T. Low"
[withoutUN] wrote:

So, you might be about right. Does that mean you don't keep a constant
watch?

Am I constantly scanning the horizon? No, not when I don't see
anything out there. Will I go below long enough to get a sandwich or
use the head? Yes. Will I read a couple of pages of my book before
looking up? Yes.

Ryk

ocean crusing & anti collision tactics....
 

Thanks for fleshing that out.

Single or short-handed boating does, of course, require some compromises.

I don't find anything in the ColRegs which exempts any boater from keeping a
constant watch, and yet there are situations - such as sleeping while
anchored - in which the authorities seem to recognize implicitly that it's a
safe (enough) and accepted practise.

Has that policy ever given you any close calls?

====

Charles T. Low
www.boatdocking.com

====

"Ryk" wrote in message
...
Am I constantly scanning the horizon? No, not when I don't see
anything out there. Will I go below long enough to get a sandwich or
use the head? Yes. Will I read a couple of pages of my book before
looking up? Yes.

Ryk

ocean crusing & anti collision tactics....
 

On Mon, 31 Oct 2005 20:07:51 -0500, "Charles T. Low"
[withoutUN] wrote:

Thanks for fleshing that out.

Single or short-handed boating does, of course, require some compromises.

I don't find anything in the ColRegs which exempts any boater from keeping a
constant watch, and yet there are situations - such as sleeping while
anchored - in which the authorities seem to recognize implicitly that it's a
safe (enough) and accepted practise.

Has that policy ever given you any close calls?

No, I've never been in a near collision situation except on the race
course. Although I have occasionally been caught by surprise while
(supposedly) keeping a constant watch, usually by somebody overtaking,
or sneaking into the blind spot under the genoa. I think I may be more
concious of checking the full 360 when I know I've had my attention
elsewhere for a little while.

Ryk

ocean crusing & anti collision tactics....
 

On Tue, 01 Nov 2005 06:11:04 -0500, Ryk
wrote:

On Mon, 31 Oct 2005 20:07:51 -0500, "Charles T. Low"
[withoutUN] wrote:

Thanks for fleshing that out.

Single or short-handed boating does, of course, require some compromises.

I don't find anything in the ColRegs which exempts any boater from keeping a
constant watch, and yet there are situations - such as sleeping while
anchored - in which the authorities seem to recognize implicitly that it's a
safe (enough) and accepted practise.

Has that policy ever given you any close calls?

No, I've never been in a near collision situation except on the race
course. Although I have occasionally been caught by surprise while
(supposedly) keeping a constant watch, usually by somebody overtaking,
or sneaking into the blind spot under the genoa. I think I may be more
concious of checking the full 360 when I know I've had my attention
elsewhere for a little while.

Same here. I cruise an elderly cruiser-racer, but crew with club
racers (good way to improve your all-around skills, IMO), and my
skipper of a few seasons back could visualize dynamically whether
boats would collide or scrape past. So he would look, calculate and
yell "Hold your course" when boats would cross on opposite tacks.
Other racers knew that in this respect, he was pretty good, and so
boats would frequently cross with three or less feet between them, and
with neither side correcting on the helm.

The vagaries of wind can create some odd scenes even while cruising,
however. This October, we cruised down Lake Ontario and saw
(predictably) fewer boats than fingers, so to speak. And yet I saw
sight of one fellow in a 26 foot sloop, miles off and (slowly)
closing. I kept taking bearings and remarked that 'this guy could hit
us...in 20 minutes or so". This was four or five miles offshore, with
ZERO traffic. Sure enough, my fellow frostbiter crossed my bow with
about one and a half boatlengths to spare, and the customary
non-chalant nod and lifting of a finger off the wheel in salute that
passes for a wave hear. He wasn't aiming for me, or changing his
course for a look-see, because I had been watching him for ages and
the wind and his helming were steady. We just happened to intersect
each others' proper course.

R.

ocean crusing & anti collision tactics....
 

Charles T. Low wrote:
Thanks for fleshing that out.

Single or short-handed boating does, of course, require some compromises.

I don't find anything in the ColRegs which exempts any boater from keeping a
constant watch, and yet there are situations - such as sleeping while
anchored - in which the authorities seem to recognize implicitly that it's a
safe (enough) and accepted practise.

Has that policy ever given you any close calls?

====

Charles T. Low
www.boatdocking.com

Uhh sleeping while anchored is rather accepted and common.
Amigo, when you're anchored the Colregs don't apply - you're
NOT underway.

Evan Gatehouse

ocean crusing & anti collision tactics....
 

In article ,
Evan Gatehouse wrote:
Charles T. Low wrote:
Thanks for fleshing that out.

Single or short-handed boating does, of course, require some compromises.

I don't find anything in the ColRegs which exempts any boater from keeping a
constant watch, and yet there are situations - such as sleeping while
anchored - in which the authorities seem to recognize implicitly that it's a
safe (enough) and accepted practise.

Has that policy ever given you any close calls?

====

Charles T. Low
www.boatdocking.com

Uhh sleeping while anchored is rather accepted and common.
Amigo, when you're anchored the Colregs don't apply - you're
NOT underway.

As long as you're in a designated anchorage or have the anchor light
on and you're not in channel, etc...

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

ocean crusing & anti collision tactics....
 

I have a small Furuno on my boat and it picks up everything. On a calm
day I track seagulls and logs. Its only when the sea surface is really
disturbed (25+knots and lots of fetch that the radar starts missing
small boats.

Having driven large ships, I would say that if they are watching their
radar, they will see you even in a small fiberglass boat unless the sea
state or weather is such that clutter is a problem

ocean crusing & anti collision tactics....
 

Gary...does your Furuno unit have alarms
or notifications of "bogies"... ?

ocean crusing & anti collision tactics....
 

"Gary" wrote in message
news:l5zaf.392963$oW2.159703@pd7tw1no...
I have a small Furuno on my boat and it picks up everything. On a calm day
I track seagulls and logs. Its only when the sea surface is really
disturbed (25+knots and lots of fetch that the radar starts missing small
boats.

Having driven large ships, I would say that if they are watching their
radar, they will see you even in a small fiberglass boat unless the sea
state or weather is such that clutter is a problem

I'm guessing you're X-Navy (not that it really matters).
Picking up a "small fiberglass" boat on radar in open sea conditions depends
a good deal on luck, the operator, and the radar set,
in question.
I've totally missed large ships, small boats, land masses, weather fronts,
etc., on radar.......
I've picked up seagulls, small boats in 30k wind conditions, land masses
(low lying) at maximum ranges, etc.......
A good deal depends on the particular radar, the particular operator, and
the particular conditions ......
Radar is not a "cure-all"..... for those of you who have installed it and
think you are an expert at using it, as soon as you turn it on or after a
"season" using it ....... forget it ..... you're a trainee.
One in a thousand of you might become good .....some of you will become
passable "mechanics"........ the majority of you will be divided into two
groups:
1. Those with enough common sense to realize they need to be and are aware
of their limited abilities and experience with radar.
2. Those with ego's bigger than their brains.

EG

otn

ocean crusing & anti collision tactics....
 

~^ beancounter ~^ wrote:
Gary...does your Furuno unit have alarms
or notifications of "bogies"... ?

It probably does but I have never used them. It is a baby ARPA system.

Gary

ocean crusing & anti collision tactics....
 

otnmbrd wrote:
"Gary" wrote in message
news:l5zaf.392963$oW2.159703@pd7tw1no...

I have a small Furuno on my boat and it picks up everything. On a calm day
I track seagulls and logs. Its only when the sea surface is really
disturbed (25+knots and lots of fetch that the radar starts missing small
boats.

Having driven large ships, I would say that if they are watching their
radar, they will see you even in a small fiberglass boat unless the sea
state or weather is such that clutter is a problem


I'm guessing you're X-Navy (not that it really matters).
Picking up a "small fiberglass" boat on radar in open sea conditions depends
a good deal on luck, the operator, and the radar set,
in question.
I've totally missed large ships, small boats, land masses, weather fronts,
etc., on radar.......
I've picked up seagulls, small boats in 30k wind conditions, land masses
(low lying) at maximum ranges, etc.......
A good deal depends on the particular radar, the particular operator, and
the particular conditions ......
Radar is not a "cure-all"..... for those of you who have installed it and
think you are an expert at using it, as soon as you turn it on or after a
"season" using it ....... forget it ..... you're a trainee.
One in a thousand of you might become good .....some of you will become
passable "mechanics"........ the majority of you will be divided into two
groups:
1. Those with enough common sense to realize they need to be and are aware
of their limited abilities and experience with radar.
2. Those with ego's bigger than their brains.

EG

otn


Not X-Navy, still in and Captain of a ship. You are right with you two
categories of people.

I think the original question had to do with radar returns and radar
reflectors. The best way to find out is call another ship or Vessel
Traffic and ask them if the can see you on their radar.

Easy!

ocean crusing & anti collision tactics....
 

Gary wrote in news:b_Waf.407318$1i.381368@pd7tw2no:

Not X-Navy, still in and Captain of a ship. You are right with you two
categories of people.

I think the original question had to do with radar returns and radar
reflectors. The best way to find out is call another ship or Vessel
Traffic and ask them if the can see you on their radar.

Easy!



Captain, is the Canadian Navy installing AIS transponders aboard their
vessels?

--
Larry
(Just an old Electronic Technician keeping the radar running.)

ocean crusing & anti collision tactics....
 

Larry wrote:
Gary wrote in news:b_Waf.407318$1i.381368@pd7tw2no:


Not X-Navy, still in and Captain of a ship. You are right with you two
categories of people.

I think the original question had to do with radar returns and radar
reflectors. The best way to find out is call another ship or Vessel
Traffic and ask them if the can see you on their radar.

Easy!




Captain, is the Canadian Navy installing AIS transponders aboard their
vessels?


Not that I am aware of. It would be counterproductive. The AIS is a
system used to track large vessel contunuously when in waters that are
controlled by Vessel Traffic Management organizations. The Navy doesn't
really want to be tracked. We have our own Link system that lets us
know where each other are.

The AIS adds to the picture that the Navy maintains called the RMP or
Recocognized Maritime Picture where they track all vessels all the time
so they can do counter drug ops and counter illegal immigrant ops etc.
Evrything is being watched and tracked all the time as it approaches the
coast of North America (or anywhere else we are interested in).

Gary

ocean crusing & anti collision tactics....
 

"Larry" wrote in message
...




Captain, is the Canadian Navy installing AIS transponders aboard their
vessels?


The USN is.
Having said that, I believe they have the ability to use the system in the
"receive only" mode, for obvious reasons.