Trust Your Electronics?
 

Someone commented in another thread about trust and knowing an area. My
apologies for not finding the exact thread, but it got me thinking. This
could also apply to SWS's MOB discussion.

Had anyone been in a situation where you thought one thing and maybe
your electronics were indicating something else?

We had a few cases, in some significant SW Florida rain storms, where
what I was seeing via my electronics was not quite what I was seeing
outside.

Case in point, coming back in a hard rain, with very limited visibility,
maybe 30-40 feet, I could have bet my pink slip the channel marker was
not where the chartplotter was indicating. For the record, I have a
Garmin 3206 and there are a few spots in our area where the channel
marker is exactly where the chartplotter indicates it should be.

Not a major problem, as I've run these waters many, many times, but I
have tracks on and can see which way I went to get somewhere, so I can
easily find my way back.

Back to the issue at hand, we slowed down substantially, to the point of
simply making way against the rain and wind, but concerned more about
who else might not be moving so cautiously.

What should be the procedure of a MOB in some very bad (limited
visabibility) weather? Assuming you noticed right away, do you react in
time and mark the spot then maneuver for the recovery? I hope to never
have to find out, either as a rescuer or rescuee.

We made it home safe and sound, albeit very wet, but no problems other
than some nervous passengers who had not been in many storms in a boat.

Thanx in advance, safe and happy boating to all...

Trust Your Electronics?
 

Had anyone been in a situation where you thought one thing and maybe
your electronics were indicating something else?

Pretty much anytime I'm in fog where I can barely see the bow of the boat, I
always "think" one thing; but eventually just stop looking out the window (have
someone else do that for debris) and focus on speed, radar, gps & compass
readings.

What should be the procedure of a MOB in some very bad (limited
visabibility) weather? Assuming you noticed right away, do you react in
time and mark the spot then maneuver for the recovery? I hope to never
have to find out, either as a rescuer or rescuee.

STOP the engines
If you have GPS and it has a MOB feature, hit it.
make a distress call indicating your position, and visibility conditions and
that you're attempting a rescue.
Unless you can actually SEE the person do not motor to where you "think" the MOB
is -- you don't wnat to cut them with the prop or run over them..
LISTEN for their voice or splashes and attempt to make a visual contact.
Dispatch a dingy with attached line & row to where you believe MOB is.

That's what I'd do....

Trust Your Electronics?
 

On Tue, 07 Aug 2007 23:34:36 -0400, DownTime
wrote:

What should be the procedure of a MOB in some very bad (limited
visabibility) weather? Assuming you noticed right away, do you react in
time and mark the spot then maneuver for the recovery? I hope to never
have to find out, either as a rescuer or rescuee.

Any MOB situation is tough because of any number of factors.

The most important is adrenalin - the holy smoke, I've got to do
something response is what gets most people in trouble.

In the situation you described sans electronics, take your compass
bearing, call MOB, give your position and bearing, post your lookouts
then perform what ever rescue turn you are comfortable with to
initiate the search. It's always a good idea to shut the engine down
for a short period of time to listen for voice calls and to use voice
calls.

Same deal with a GPS equipped boat - there really isn't much you can
do other than that.

With respect to trusting electronics, as Gene said, electronics are an
aid to navigation and a valuable tool to use, but nothing replaces
calm approaches to difficult situations. Posting lookouts, getting
folks into PFDs, reviewing emergency procedures for passengers - it's
all a part of properly reacting to these types of events.

You'd be amazed at how many people don't even think about these kinds
of situations - call it pre-planning.