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

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

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.

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

"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