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#11
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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QinetiQ Funtington radar reflector tests
Larry wrote:
I suppose my point is plastic boat sailors THINK the big guys can spot them, on radar and visually. I suppose they COULD if we move the bridge to the bow or take off all the containers in the way, but that isn't gonna happen. The flag is 930' in front of the helm. You all know what the genoa does to your ability to see those damned crabpot toilet floats from your helm. Imagine if the obstruction were 900' FORWARD of your bow! They can't really see anything less than a full sized ship, on radar or out the windows. There are hardly any sailors aboard these huge ships run by computers. The crews are, to increase profits, tiny in respect to the size of the beast. There aren't 15 people with binoculars standing on the bow, in a crow's nest looking out for icebergs and Catalinas, guys standing on the bridge wings scanning the horizon for 4 hours like a Navy ship has. There's one guy, walking around the bridge, bored to tears as the computer watches the GPS and flogs on towards Holland....just like last week, last month, last year... (yawn).....zzzzzZZZZ. I think (from memory) the IMO rules require you to see only 2 boat lengths from the BOW. So visibility can be impaired say anywhere within 1800' of the bow... I ALWAYS assume I am invisible to big ships and steer accordingly. On offshore passages I've called passing ships and ask if they can see me on radar. Often the reply is "let me get it warmed up"... Evan Gatehouse |
#12
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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QinetiQ Funtington radar reflector tests
On Aug 14, 5:25 pm, Evan Gatehouse
wrote: .... I think (from memory) the IMO rules require you to see only 2 boat lengths from the BOW. So visibility can be impaired say anywhere within 1800' of the bow... .... I haven't read the IMO treaties and case law but the way it was taught to me was that a lookout had to be as far forward and low as practicable (preferably but not necessarily off the bridge). Five, as written, clearly doesn't allow 1800' blind spots, but maybe the courts do. However, I don't mean to quibble. You are absolutely right to assume that you are invisible to all targets that pose a risk of collision unless you have had positive communication with them and come to a passing agreement. -- Tom. |
#13
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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QinetiQ Funtington radar reflector tests
Evan Gatehouse wrote in news:Bmuwi.58787
$_d2.38488@pd7urf3no: I've called passing ships and ask if they can see me on radar. Often the reply is "let me get it warmed up"... I think that's a more common response than we'd like to think about. They just don't care or have the time to care....which makes no difference as you go under the bulb. Sailors offshore need to take a more intense interest in calling them to KEEP THE WATCH AWAKE, out of his stupor, especially on the midwatch. |
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