(Scott McFadden) wrote in message . com...
"Gary Warner" wrote in message ...

"Scott McFadden" wrote in message
om...
I don't suppose, hiccup, alcohol was factor.

It was not rough at all last night.

http://www.n-jcenter.com/BreakingNews/area99.htm


The article says that Roberts said he was navigating by instruments. What
makes
you think is was alcohol and not an error, mistake, bad-navigation skills,
or stupidity?

Oh I guess the fact that being intoxicated leads to error, mistake,
bad navigation skills and stupidity.

FWIW, I have been through that inlet at least a hundred times in a
little Whaler (among other boats) and never relied upon any
"instruments", other than my eyes.

I have never heard of anyone else using "instruments" to nav Ponce
either.

It is simply absurd.

I've done the trip back and forth from NY to Florida many times. It
can wear on you when your running the boat all day, trying to get
someplace, and you just push yourself one inlet too far.

The key to a safe trip, planning and common sense. Enter and leave
inlets that you don't know in the day light only. If it's been a long
day, call it quits for the day, even if your behind schedule, pull in,
fuel up, get a good nights sleep, and start out fresh in the morning.
And most important, have others on board that cam run the boat.
Remember, it's not a race. It's easy to make a stupid mistake if your
rushing, tierd, or pushing too hard.

It's easy to make a stupid mistake if your
rushing, tierd, or pushing too hard

I have a friend who runs offshore out of Big Carlos a couple times a week but
one dark night he did come in a little too far to the south and firmly parked
his boat on the tip of Lover's key. S#!!T still happens.

Tip: line up the 96K-Rock tower between the Lover's key resort building and the
bridge lights while you are offshore and you will be in the center of the
channel when you get in the pass.

Well, I don't know about alcohol, but, he certainly displayed a
remarkable lack of common sense and seamanship. I have been into Ponce
Inlet many times, and a night entry is not especially bothersome. But I
have radar, gps, depth finder, searchlights (3) and common sense.

(And a first Mate that would slap me silly if I scratched up "her" boat
grin)

Capt. F.

Scott McFadden wrote:

I don't suppose, hiccup, alcohol was factor.

It was not rough at all last night.

http://www.n-jcenter.com/BreakingNews/area99.htm
--
SJM