Thank f***k for iphones

[SDGANDER]

I recall an 'experienced' skipper who was working for me as a mate on a reasonable sized boat chose to use his iphone AIS app instead of the ship's certified Class A AIS system.

I only found out about this when the stewardess brought it to my attention he disbelieved the ship's equipment and stated that it was wrong and there wasn't a large tanker where the AIS showed... until she pointed out the XXX,000 tons of metal right where the official AIS showed it in front of us.

SDG

[Will75]

Originally Posted by Chris

Exactly and at 15 knots we could stop well within the available visibility.

In that case 15 knots was the right speed. Sounds reasonable to me.

[tonto]

Originally Posted by Chris

Exactly and at 15 knots we could stop well within the available visibility.

That is the important part, being able to react and stop within the available visibility.

Teignmouth is reasonably well marked, and depending on the state of the tide, you could try to pick up the port hand red marks near the bank, and steer a compass course between them, but if the tide is low, it is much trickier.

Once into the river, past the Green stb'd spar mark, it is relatively easy to follow the line of boats/bouys on the stb'd side of the channel, then just off the commercial docks to poly steps, (where I guess you were?)

The use of the echo sounder is very helpfull.

If course it is made easier with electronics, and a backup, but all of these backups have a common system, GPS, which is not infallible.

Having a small chart means you have the information about the bouys, the channel, and you can plan an alternate using it.

Good job getting back though

You made it, and safely so that is the main point

And it gives food for thought on equipment, and what to carry

[Anchorhandler]

One thing also about slowing down is that its much quieter. Being able to hear whats going on around you without the roar of an outboard engine drowning everything out is quite important.
Even in a wheelhouse, open a door or window so that your not totally soundproofed.

Simon

Sent from my iPhone using Rib.net

[Will75]

Originally Posted by Anchorhandler

One thing also about slowing down is that its much quieter. Being able to hear whats going on around you without the roar of an outboard engine drowning everything out is quite important.
Even in a wheelhouse, open a door or window so that your not totally soundproofed.

Simon

Sent from my iPhone using Rib.net

yup

"at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means"

[HeartyHarry]

Originally Posted by C-NUMB

The downside with new electronics/ plotters is that i believe some boaters use it as it would be a radar, they proceed in fog at speeds they would never had done with paper charts.....

I always carry old fashion paper charts in the boat but must admit it is so much more convenient to use the plotter.

Agreed....like Condor Ferries skippers, for instance?

[Cookee]

On our Round Britain Charity Challenge last June we got caught in very thick fog near the Farne Islands - I had plotted a course to go inside the islands and our Raymarine navigation system worked brilliantly - we were limited to around 5 mph for most of the time and we saw lots of fishing boats come and go through the fog, very scary but with a good lookout and everyone alert we were never in danger.

[GJ0KYZ]

Originally Posted by Poly

In my experience fog usually = quite calm. It was a storm that did for Cloudesley Shovell.

That and the fact that due to poor navigation and not being able to tell his longitude (all easy peasy with a GPS) he mistook the Iles of Scilly for the Isle of Wight.

[willk]

Originally Posted by willk

Drunkeness (a very common problem)

Originally Posted by GJ0KYZ

... he mistook the Iles of Scilly for the Isle of Wight.

That's what I said. To much Port!

[Mollers]

To answer Poly's Q, yeah, radar would've been a huge help. I hadn't really considered how useless GPS was without radar in such a situation prior to being plonked in said situation.

[falcon0310]

i still have breton ploter iff you know what that is

[landlord]

Originally Posted by falcon0310

i still have breton ploter iff you know what that is

Excellent piece of kit !

[Poly]

Originally Posted by martini

We've both got a good few years and plenty of sea miles under our belts in a wide variety of craft - it's a credit to you

Now I knew Mollers was an old bugger, but I thought you were still in your prime!

[Pikey Dave]

So much for "professional" skippers with their charts, sextants & chronometers

[tonto]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

So much for "professional" skippers with their charts, sextants & chronometers

He was probably asleep and relying on his electronic chart to beep and GPS to tell him where he was

A sextant wouldnt have been any use where he was, but anyone who knew about these things you would know that

What was the saying? Education not regulation

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by tonto

He was probably asleep and relying on his electronic chart to beep and GPS to tell him where he was

A sextant wouldnt have been any use where he was, but anyone who knew about these things you would know that

What was the saying? Education not regulation

It just beggars belief how this could happen, he even refused a tow FFS. he should be strung up, literally from the yardarm.

[tonto]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

It just beggars belief how this could happen, he even refused a tow FFS. he should be strung up, literally from the yardarm.

Did you see what he refused a tow from??

Standsure - Ullapool (UL) - Gallery - TrawlerPictures.net

Not exactly an ocean going tug is it?

He may well have broken down, or had mechanical problems, etc etc.

So let me get this right, Anyone, who for any reason whatsoever, manages to put ANY vessel aground needs to be strung up from the yardarm? right? Immediately, before any form of investigation? That of course would apply to ribs and Wafi's as well.

Just a thought, How many people have been injured? or the question that seems more important to the majority of people these days is, how many litres of oil has been spilled?

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by tonto

Did you see what he refused a tow from??

Standsure - Ullapool (UL) - Gallery - TrawlerPictures.net

Not exactly an ocean going tug is it?

He may well have broken down, or had mechanical problems, etc etc.

So let me get this right, Anyone, who for any reason whatsoever, manages to put ANY vessel aground needs to be strung up from the yardarm? right? Immediately, before any form of investigation? That of course would apply to ribs and Wafi's as well.

Just a thought, How many people have been injured? or the question that seems more important to the majority of people these days is, how many litres of oil has been spilled?

He's a supposedly paid professional, it's his job, he's not a weekend leisure sailor, he's in charge of a feckin great cargo ship, miles off course. Whatever the reason for him running aground, he had chance to drop his anchors waay before he ran aground. Just because no one was hurt or no oil was spilled doesn't make it right, that's like saying speeding or drink driving is ok as long as no-one is hurt. At best he's incompetent, at worst he's criminally negligent either way he's not fit to be in charge.

[Will75]

Is this a kangaroo court?

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Will75

Is this a kangaroo court?

Kangaroo court is a bit strong, I prefer "lynching".... now where's my burning cross & bed sheet