Sunday, I watched a guy use a bow and arrow to shoot a mullet and
retrieve it on the Wakulla River here in N. FL. The Wakulla River is
spring fed and very clear so he had a good view of his target but it
was still a great shot yielding a very large mullet.
While going upriver at "no wake" speed, people were pointing into the
water ahead of me and I tried to turn and put the engine in neutral.
As we glided over, a manatee swam by only a foot beneath us looking
like an entire sand bar was moving. I can see how they can be
difficult to avoid even at very slow speed as they may not move as you
expect and they also change depth. They act as if they simply do not
know boats are there. Later, we saw a smaller one about 5' long and
watched it awhile and it seemed to be asleep not knowing of any of the
boats around.
I believe the manatees simply do not hear boats because they act as if
they are sleep swimming. Any possibility of a device similar to the
"deadman" device on a lawnmower that would stop a prop quickly?