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113 nautical miles in dense fog
We left Cape May, New Jersey this morning in fog so dense we couldn't
see either breakwater on the way out of the inlet, couldn't have done it without RADAR. The expectation was that the fog would lift by mid-morning and we'd have clear sailing up the Jersey coast into the NYC area. It didn't happen. If anything the fog got worse as the day went on and we never saw anything for the entire 113 nautical miles until anchoring in Atlantic Highlands late in the evening. It was instrument flying all the way on RADAR, GPS chart plotter, compass and AIS for the entire trip. There's a nice sense of accomplishment in doing that but it's also very stressful and hardly a pleasant day on the water. We'd have waited for clear weather but there's a 3 day nor'easter in the forecast and we have family obligations in NY next week. More dots for 'Airree: http://tinyurl.com/waynebspottrack |
113 nautical miles in dense fog
On Thu, 31 May 2018 21:58:10 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote: We left Cape May, New Jersey this morning in fog so dense we couldn't see either breakwater on the way out of the inlet, couldn't have done it without RADAR. The expectation was that the fog would lift by mid-morning and we'd have clear sailing up the Jersey coast into the NYC area. It didn't happen. If anything the fog got worse as the day went on and we never saw anything for the entire 113 nautical miles until anchoring in Atlantic Highlands late in the evening. It was instrument flying all the way on RADAR, GPS chart plotter, compass and AIS for the entire trip. There's a nice sense of accomplishment in doing that but it's also very stressful and hardly a pleasant day on the water. We'd have waited for clear weather but there's a 3 day nor'easter in the forecast and we have family obligations in NY next week. More dots for 'Airree: http://tinyurl.com/waynebspottrack Sounds exciting. Thank god for RADAR and hope you don't hit a submerged shipping container huh? |
113 nautical miles in dense fog
Wayne.B
We left Cape May, New Jersey this morning in fog so dense we couldn't see either breakwater on the way out of the inlet, couldn't have done it without RADAR. The expectation was that the fog would lift by mid-morning and we'd have clear sailing up the Jersey coast into the NYC area. It didn't happen. If anything the fog got worse as the day went on and we never saw anything for the entire 113 nautical miles until anchoring in Atlantic Highlands late in the evening. It was instrument flying all the way on RADAR, GPS chart plotter, compass and AIS for the entire trip. There's a nice sense of accomplishment in doing that but it's also very stressful and hardly a pleasant day on the water. We'd have waited for clear weather but there's a 3 day nor'easter in the forecast and we have family obligations in NY next week. More dots for 'Airree: http://tinyurl.com/waynebspottrack .......... Glad all is going well Wayne. Radar. Your eyes in the dark. Glad you know how to navigate with it. Btw, I’m looking at dots too! |
113 nautical miles in dense fog
On Thursday, May 31, 2018 at 9:58:41 PM UTC-4, Wayne.B wrote:
We left Cape May, New Jersey this morning in fog so dense we couldn't see either breakwater on the way out of the inlet, couldn't have done it without RADAR. The expectation was that the fog would lift by mid-morning and we'd have clear sailing up the Jersey coast into the NYC area. It didn't happen. If anything the fog got worse as the day went on and we never saw anything for the entire 113 nautical miles until anchoring in Atlantic Highlands late in the evening. It was instrument flying all the way on RADAR, GPS chart plotter, compass and AIS for the entire trip. There's a nice sense of accomplishment in doing that but it's also very stressful and hardly a pleasant day on the water. We'd have waited for clear weather but there's a 3 day nor'easter in the forecast and we have family obligations in NY next week. More dots for 'Airree: http://tinyurl.com/waynebspottrack |
113 nautical miles in dense fog
On Thursday, May 31, 2018 at 9:58:41 PM UTC-4, Wayne.B wrote:
We left Cape May, New Jersey this morning in fog so dense we couldn't see either breakwater on the way out of the inlet, couldn't have done it without RADAR. The expectation was that the fog would lift by mid-morning and we'd have clear sailing up the Jersey coast into the NYC area. It didn't happen. If anything the fog got worse as the day went on and we never saw anything for the entire 113 nautical miles until anchoring in Atlantic Highlands late in the evening. It was instrument flying all the way on RADAR, GPS chart plotter, compass and AIS for the entire trip. There's a nice sense of accomplishment in doing that but it's also very stressful and hardly a pleasant day on the water. We'd have waited for clear weather but there's a 3 day nor'easter in the forecast and we have family obligations in NY next week. More dots for 'Airree: http://tinyurl.com/waynebspottrack Wow. That's a nail biting adventure. Very cool, stay safe. |
113 nautical miles in dense fog
On 5/31/2018 9:58 PM, Wayne.B wrote:
We left Cape May, New Jersey this morning in fog so dense we couldn't see either breakwater on the way out of the inlet, couldn't have done it without RADAR. The expectation was that the fog would lift by mid-morning and we'd have clear sailing up the Jersey coast into the NYC area. It didn't happen. If anything the fog got worse as the day went on and we never saw anything for the entire 113 nautical miles until anchoring in Atlantic Highlands late in the evening. It was instrument flying all the way on RADAR, GPS chart plotter, compass and AIS for the entire trip. There's a nice sense of accomplishment in doing that but it's also very stressful and hardly a pleasant day on the water. We'd have waited for clear weather but there's a 3 day nor'easter in the forecast and we have family obligations in NY next week. More dots for 'Airree: http://tinyurl.com/waynebspottrack Yuck. For well experienced boating people like yourself navigating in heavy fog is stressful but safe. I was never comfortable in fog and avoided traveling in it if at all possible. We were leaving Montauk, Long Island in the morning but I put off getting underway for a couple of hours until the fog had a chance to burn off. It didn't. Got underway and was slowly making my way down the long waterway filled with boats towards the inlet/exit. Couldn't see a thing other than watching radar. I chickened out, turned around and went back to the dock. Waited another couple of hours until it started to clear. |
113 nautical miles in dense fog
On Thu, 31 May 2018 21:58:10 -0400, Wayne.B wrote:
We left Cape May, New Jersey this morning in fog so dense we couldn't see either breakwater on the way out of the inlet, couldn't have done it without RADAR. The expectation was that the fog would lift by mid-morning and we'd have clear sailing up the Jersey coast into the NYC area. It didn't happen. If anything the fog got worse as the day went on and we never saw anything for the entire 113 nautical miles until anchoring in Atlantic Highlands late in the evening. It was instrument flying all the way on RADAR, GPS chart plotter, compass and AIS for the entire trip. There's a nice sense of accomplishment in doing that but it's also very stressful and hardly a pleasant day on the water. We'd have waited for clear weather but there's a 3 day nor'easter in the forecast and we have family obligations in NY next week. More dots for 'Airree: http://tinyurl.com/waynebspottrack Scary even thinking about it. I'd have probably turned right back around. Glad all went well. |
113 nautical miles in dense fog
On Fri, 1 Jun 2018 05:14:27 -0400, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote: On 5/31/2018 9:58 PM, Wayne.B wrote: We left Cape May, New Jersey this morning in fog so dense we couldn't see either breakwater on the way out of the inlet, couldn't have done it without RADAR. The expectation was that the fog would lift by mid-morning and we'd have clear sailing up the Jersey coast into the NYC area. It didn't happen. If anything the fog got worse as the day went on and we never saw anything for the entire 113 nautical miles until anchoring in Atlantic Highlands late in the evening. It was instrument flying all the way on RADAR, GPS chart plotter, compass and AIS for the entire trip. There's a nice sense of accomplishment in doing that but it's also very stressful and hardly a pleasant day on the water. We'd have waited for clear weather but there's a 3 day nor'easter in the forecast and we have family obligations in NY next week. More dots for 'Airree: http://tinyurl.com/waynebspottrack Yuck. For well experienced boating people like yourself navigating in heavy fog is stressful but safe. I was never comfortable in fog and avoided traveling in it if at all possible. We were leaving Montauk, Long Island in the morning but I put off getting underway for a couple of hours until the fog had a chance to burn off. It didn't. Got underway and was slowly making my way down the long waterway filled with boats towards the inlet/exit. Couldn't see a thing other than watching radar. I chickened out, turned around and went back to the dock. Waited another couple of hours until it started to clear. === Navigating with RADAR takes practice, enough practice that you have the confidence to believe what you're seeing, and know how to interpret it. When we bought the boat 14 years ago I splurged a bit on a commercial quality Furuno unit that doubes as a chart plotter and depth sounder. It's the most reliable piece of equipment on the boat and I've never regretted the decision. |
113 nautical miles in dense fog
On 6/1/2018 7:25 AM, John H. wrote:
On Thu, 31 May 2018 21:58:10 -0400, Wayne.B wrote: We left Cape May, New Jersey this morning in fog so dense we couldn't see either breakwater on the way out of the inlet, couldn't have done it without RADAR. The expectation was that the fog would lift by mid-morning and we'd have clear sailing up the Jersey coast into the NYC area. It didn't happen. If anything the fog got worse as the day went on and we never saw anything for the entire 113 nautical miles until anchoring in Atlantic Highlands late in the evening. It was instrument flying all the way on RADAR, GPS chart plotter, compass and AIS for the entire trip. There's a nice sense of accomplishment in doing that but it's also very stressful and hardly a pleasant day on the water. We'd have waited for clear weather but there's a 3 day nor'easter in the forecast and we have family obligations in NY next week. More dots for 'Airree: http://tinyurl.com/waynebspottrack Scary even thinking about it. I'd have probably turned right back around. Glad all went well. I don't mind fog that reduces visibility to about 25-30 yards or so but when it's so thick that you can barely see the handrails on the bow pulpit where the anchor sits it gets hairy especially in congested areas in a harbor. That's what it was like when we left Montauk harbor. |
113 nautical miles in dense fog
On 6/1/2018 7:28 AM, Wayne.B wrote:
On Fri, 1 Jun 2018 05:14:27 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote: On 5/31/2018 9:58 PM, Wayne.B wrote: We left Cape May, New Jersey this morning in fog so dense we couldn't see either breakwater on the way out of the inlet, couldn't have done it without RADAR. The expectation was that the fog would lift by mid-morning and we'd have clear sailing up the Jersey coast into the NYC area. It didn't happen. If anything the fog got worse as the day went on and we never saw anything for the entire 113 nautical miles until anchoring in Atlantic Highlands late in the evening. It was instrument flying all the way on RADAR, GPS chart plotter, compass and AIS for the entire trip. There's a nice sense of accomplishment in doing that but it's also very stressful and hardly a pleasant day on the water. We'd have waited for clear weather but there's a 3 day nor'easter in the forecast and we have family obligations in NY next week. More dots for 'Airree: http://tinyurl.com/waynebspottrack Yuck. For well experienced boating people like yourself navigating in heavy fog is stressful but safe. I was never comfortable in fog and avoided traveling in it if at all possible. We were leaving Montauk, Long Island in the morning but I put off getting underway for a couple of hours until the fog had a chance to burn off. It didn't. Got underway and was slowly making my way down the long waterway filled with boats towards the inlet/exit. Couldn't see a thing other than watching radar. I chickened out, turned around and went back to the dock. Waited another couple of hours until it started to clear. === Navigating with RADAR takes practice, enough practice that you have the confidence to believe what you're seeing, and know how to interpret it. When we bought the boat 14 years ago I splurged a bit on a commercial quality Furuno unit that doubes as a chart plotter and depth sounder. It's the most reliable piece of equipment on the boat and I've never regretted the decision. No question. The Navigator I had was equipped with RayMarine radar and an excellent chart plotter. It was shortly after the division was created and the gear was based on Raytheon's commercial gear. The Egg had Furuno gear that was also excellent. Still, like the experience in Montauk when I could barely see the bow pulpit handrails and was in a crowded harbor area, I chickened out. :-) |
113 nautical miles in dense fog
My experience with heavy thick fog was a number of years ago on my buddies Mirage 33. We were sailing out of Halifax Harbour to a small harbour just down the coast. As soon as we got to the mouth we entered a fog bank. Without radar or a chart plotter, we went on dead reckoning using a compass, paper chart and listening to the waves smash agaiint the granite cliffs in the distance. Did pretty good...heard the sound of the buoy we were looking for and then the compass to set a new course. Once we got into the small harbour the fog lifted and we were happy to see land. Now....even with my handheld Garmin loaded with Blue Chart, I avoid fog like the plague.
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113 nautical miles in dense fog
On 6/1/2018 9:29 AM, True North wrote:
My experience with heavy thick fog was a number of years ago on my buddies Mirage 33. We were sailing out of Halifax Harbour to a small harbour just down the coast. As soon as we got to the mouth we entered a fog bank. Without radar or a chart plotter, we went on dead reckoning using a compass, paper chart and listening to the waves smash agaiint the granite cliffs in the distance. Did pretty good...heard the sound of the buoy we were looking for and then the compass to set a new course. Once we got into the small harbour the fog lifted and we were happy to see land. Now....even with my handheld Garmin loaded with Blue Chart, I avoid fog like the plague. The problem I've noticed with really heavy fog is that it can be difficult to determine from what direction sounds are coming from. As a kid my friend and I were in the areas outside of Boston Harbor in a small boat. We were (illegally) camping on a small island called Rainsford Island. Early in the morning we decided to cruise over to George's Island about a mile away. Heavy, heavy fog developed and we could hear the fog horn on an approaching big ferry but had no idea from what direction the sound was coming from. Missed us, fortunately. |
113 nautical miles in dense fog
On Friday, 1 June 2018 10:56:35 UTC-3, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 6/1/2018 9:29 AM, True North wrote: My experience with heavy thick fog was a number of years ago on my buddies Mirage 33. We were sailing out of Halifax Harbour to a small harbour just down the coast. As soon as we got to the mouth we entered a fog bank. Without radar or a chart plotter, we went on dead reckoning using a compass, paper chart and listening to the waves smash agaiint the granite cliffs in the distance. Did pretty good...heard the sound of the buoy we were looking for and then the compass to set a new course. Once we got into the small harbour the fog lifted and we were happy to see land. Now....even with my handheld Garmin loaded with Blue Chart, I avoid fog like the plague. The problem I've noticed with really heavy fog is that it can be difficult to determine from what direction sounds are coming from. As a kid my friend and I were in the areas outside of Boston Harbor in a small boat. We were (illegally) camping on a small island called Rainsford Island. Early in the morning we decided to cruise over to George's Island about a mile away. Heavy, heavy fog developed and we could hear the fog horn on an approaching big ferry but had no idea from what direction the sound was coming from. Missed us, fortunately. Much larger traffic is always my concern in a harbour like Halifax. I guess the smart thing for us to do was to contact Harbour Traffic on channel 12 VHS and ask them if anything was on a collision course with us. After our Explosion in 1917 they tend to keep a careful eye on anything coming and going. It's not super busy but lots of very large ocean going container ships, Navy ships etc seem to be around. |
113 nautical miles in dense fog
On Fri, 01 Jun 2018 07:44:56 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote: On Thu, 31 May 2018 22:35:53 -0400, wrote: On Thu, 31 May 2018 21:58:10 -0400, Wayne.B wrote: We left Cape May, New Jersey this morning in fog so dense we couldn't see either breakwater on the way out of the inlet, couldn't have done it without RADAR. The expectation was that the fog would lift by mid-morning and we'd have clear sailing up the Jersey coast into the NYC area. It didn't happen. If anything the fog got worse as the day went on and we never saw anything for the entire 113 nautical miles until anchoring in Atlantic Highlands late in the evening. It was instrument flying all the way on RADAR, GPS chart plotter, compass and AIS for the entire trip. There's a nice sense of accomplishment in doing that but it's also very stressful and hardly a pleasant day on the water. We'd have waited for clear weather but there's a 3 day nor'easter in the forecast and we have family obligations in NY next week. More dots for 'Airree: http://tinyurl.com/waynebspottrack Sounds exciting. Thank god for RADAR and hope you don't hit a submerged shipping container huh? === Fortunately submerged containers are fairly rare. Partly submerged logs are fairly common however, and are a very real hazard to your running gear. We dinged a couple yesterday but fortunately they don't seem to have damaged anything. By the time you see them it's generally too late to steer around. If lucky, I'll have time to throttle back and shift into neutral. They don't show up on RADAR at all so no advance warning until they pop up in front of you. Yup most things like that are invisible to RADAR, they just disappear in the grass at the waterline. One of our friends says a pallet got him one night in the gulf. It was slick calm with unlimited visibility, RADAR on and "thump". Wheels and struts. Fortunately he was able to limp back to the yard but it was still expensive. He was going about 30 tho in a big sport fish. |
113 nautical miles in dense fog
Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 6/1/2018 7:25 AM, John H. wrote: On Thu, 31 May 2018 21:58:10 -0400, Wayne.B wrote: We left Cape May, New Jersey this morning in fog so dense we couldn't see either breakwater on the way out of the inlet, couldn't have done it without RADAR. The expectation was that the fog would lift by mid-morning and we'd have clear sailing up the Jersey coast into the NYC area. It didn't happen. If anything the fog got worse as the day went on and we never saw anything for the entire 113 nautical miles until anchoring in Atlantic Highlands late in the evening. It was instrument flying all the way on RADAR, GPS chart plotter, compass and AIS for the entire trip. There's a nice sense of accomplishment in doing that but it's also very stressful and hardly a pleasant day on the water. We'd have waited for clear weather but there's a 3 day nor'easter in the forecast and we have family obligations in NY next week. More dots for 'Airree: http://tinyurl.com/waynebspottrack Scary even thinking about it. I'd have probably turned right back around. Glad all went well. I don't mind fog that reduces visibility to about 25-30 yards or so but when it's so thick that you can barely see the handrails on the bow pulpit where the anchor sits it gets hairy especially in congested areas in a harbor. That's what it was like when we left Montauk harbor. We have lots of fog here at certain times of the year. What scares me is idiots going fast in the fog. Years ago, we were navigating down the Sacramento River Delta via compass and going from Marker Light to Marker Light, days before GPS, and here bass boats running flat out. Visibility of maybe 10 yards. I can remember as a kid, coming back from the Farallon Islands via compass and a portable radio as a direction finder. KGO tower was in line with the Golden Gate Bridge. |
113 nautical miles in dense fog
On Fri, 1 Jun 2018 07:50:16 -0400, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote: On 6/1/2018 7:25 AM, John H. wrote: On Thu, 31 May 2018 21:58:10 -0400, Wayne.B wrote: We left Cape May, New Jersey this morning in fog so dense we couldn't see either breakwater on the way out of the inlet, couldn't have done it without RADAR. The expectation was that the fog would lift by mid-morning and we'd have clear sailing up the Jersey coast into the NYC area. It didn't happen. If anything the fog got worse as the day went on and we never saw anything for the entire 113 nautical miles until anchoring in Atlantic Highlands late in the evening. It was instrument flying all the way on RADAR, GPS chart plotter, compass and AIS for the entire trip. There's a nice sense of accomplishment in doing that but it's also very stressful and hardly a pleasant day on the water. We'd have waited for clear weather but there's a 3 day nor'easter in the forecast and we have family obligations in NY next week. More dots for 'Airree: http://tinyurl.com/waynebspottrack Scary even thinking about it. I'd have probably turned right back around. Glad all went well. I don't mind fog that reduces visibility to about 25-30 yards or so but when it's so thick that you can barely see the handrails on the bow pulpit where the anchor sits it gets hairy especially in congested areas in a harbor. That's what it was like when we left Montauk harbor. We got in fog like that in the Estero bay once. We were coming back from Matanzas pass, running the East side and it dropped on us like a blanket. I got out my aerial photos and picked our way through the mangroves just by matching up the shapes and using the compass. When we finally got into the river, my wife wanted to go back, she said it was so cool. I told her we should quit while we were ahead. |
113 nautical miles in dense fog
On 6/1/2018 1:36 PM, wrote:
On Fri, 01 Jun 2018 07:44:56 -0400, Wayne.B wrote: On Thu, 31 May 2018 22:35:53 -0400, wrote: On Thu, 31 May 2018 21:58:10 -0400, Wayne.B wrote: We left Cape May, New Jersey this morning in fog so dense we couldn't see either breakwater on the way out of the inlet, couldn't have done it without RADAR. The expectation was that the fog would lift by mid-morning and we'd have clear sailing up the Jersey coast into the NYC area. It didn't happen. If anything the fog got worse as the day went on and we never saw anything for the entire 113 nautical miles until anchoring in Atlantic Highlands late in the evening. It was instrument flying all the way on RADAR, GPS chart plotter, compass and AIS for the entire trip. There's a nice sense of accomplishment in doing that but it's also very stressful and hardly a pleasant day on the water. We'd have waited for clear weather but there's a 3 day nor'easter in the forecast and we have family obligations in NY next week. More dots for 'Airree: http://tinyurl.com/waynebspottrack Sounds exciting. Thank god for RADAR and hope you don't hit a submerged shipping container huh? === Fortunately submerged containers are fairly rare. Partly submerged logs are fairly common however, and are a very real hazard to your running gear. We dinged a couple yesterday but fortunately they don't seem to have damaged anything. By the time you see them it's generally too late to steer around. If lucky, I'll have time to throttle back and shift into neutral. They don't show up on RADAR at all so no advance warning until they pop up in front of you. Yup most things like that are invisible to RADAR, they just disappear in the grass at the waterline. One of our friends says a pallet got him one night in the gulf. It was slick calm with unlimited visibility, RADAR on and "thump". Wheels and struts. Fortunately he was able to limp back to the yard but it was still expensive. He was going about 30 tho in a big sport fish. Submerged logs or those floating just at the waterline are pretty much impossible to see on radar however both the Raymarine and Furuno systems I had were both capable of detecting and displaying lobster trap buoys. They don't sit very high over the water surface. |
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