| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 1330.1 | one experience | MSCSSE::BERENS | Alan Berens | Fri Sep 01 1989 13:49 | 248 |
| In another note, I was asked what I did wrong on our first offshore
passage. I'm not sure we did all that much wrong on the passage itself,
but we certainly made many, many mistakes that resulted in making the
passage.
I think I've alluded to our first offshore experience in SAILING, but I
don't think I've ever talked about the details. A SAILING contributor
has suggested that I do so. Perhaps I should, as the experience taught
us much and in many ways has had a deep and lasting influence on our
attitudes toward sailing. This story is yet another of those boring
cautionary tales of near disaster that we think will never happen to us
personally, but sometimes disaster does happen,
Very briefly, Julie and I were quite fortunate to survive an unplanned
passage from Monhegan Island, ME, to Gloucester, MA, in a very severe
and unforecast late summer gale in the Gulf of Maine. I'm still more
than a little uncomfortable thinking about what did happen and, even
more so, about what could have happened.
When Julie and I bought our first boat, a C&C 26, in August 1977, our
entire sailing experience consisted of very little more than the Coastal
Sailing School's learn to sail course (five or so half-days). The rest
of that summer and all the next we sailed every weekend the weather was
good. In early July 1978 we made our first overnight sail, Marblehead to
Provincetown, going carefully from buoy to buoy along the coast and not
directly from Marblehead to Provincetown. By September 1978 we (perhaps
wrongly in retrospect) felt confident enough to sail from Marblehead to
Maine for the first time.
The C&C 26 is a well-designed, well-built boat, but one with definite
limitations, perhaps the most important of which is that it cannot be
sailed to windward in anything more than a brisk breeze. An offshore boat
it isn't. But in September 1978 we didn't really know (or, perhaps,
didn't want to know) that. Moreover, we had no intention of doing
anything more than sailing near the coast in good weather. (We've since
repeatedly found that bad weather catches even those sailors with good
intentions and pure hearts.)
Our trip down East was mostly uneventful. We stopped overnight at the
Isles of Shoals, Cape Porpoise, Jewel Island, and Boothbay Harbor. We
did spend Labor Day in Cape Porpoise waiting for less wind (which was
blowing maybe 20 to 25 knots that day).
On a warm, sunny, not very windy Friday we sailed from Boothbay Harbor
to Monhegan Island. By when we arrived in early afternoon the wind had
increased enough to cause us a little concern, but since the forecast
was still for light winds we decided to stay overnight as we'd planned.
The anchorage at Monhegan is not well protected, is deep (60 feet or
so), and has poor holding (rocky bottom). We had a 20H Danforth with a
300' nylon rode and a 12H Danforth with a 150' nylon rode. Obviously, we
had only one marginally useful anchor (Danforth anchors are not the best
choice for rocky bottoms). We anchored, and discussed what to do. It was
now too late in the day to return to Boothbay (not an easy harbor to enter
at night).
The wind built more, and we spent a very uncomfortable night trying to
stay on the berths (no leecloths). By morning the wind had shifted
enough so that we were now very close to a rocky lee shore. What we
should have done was reanchored further from shore in whatever lee we
could find. What we decided to do was return to Boothbay. This was our
really major mistake. We simply didn't realize how much in the lee of
Monhegan we were, how much more windy it was in the open, and how big
the seas would be. We were also fairly tired, which is not conducive to
good decision making.
Once out of the lee of Monhegan the wind was probably over 30 knots, and
we could neither sail nor motor (our boat had a single cylinder, 7 hp
inboard engine) back to the anchorage area. Within less than an hour
we'd furled the mainsail and reefed the jib (non-roller furling, but
with one conventional reef) and could only run before the wind.
By mid-morning the wind was well over gale force and howling in the
rigging. Foam was being blown off the wave crests in long streaks and
the ocean was a third to a half white. Shortly after we looked back and
saw it upside down several feet in the air, our 8' fiberglass dinghy
swamped. The 3/8" nylon towline broke instantly and the dinghy was gone
from sight within seconds. To say that we were concerned is a
considerable understatement.
About this time the sequence of events gets hazy. Julie became seasick.
I went below for more warm clothes and became seasick. As I leaned into
the cockpit to vomit, a wave broke over the boat, soaking both me and
the VHF radio. I had no more warm, dry clothes and we had no way to dry
anything or to get warm. The VHF decided that it didn't want to work any
more, mostly. The frequency-synthesizer circuits died, but the Channel
16 crystal circuits still worked (our radio is one of the very, very few
with a crystal backup for Channel 16). In 1978 water-resistant radios
didn't exist, so I had mounted the radio well out of reach of water
coming down the companionway, or so I had thought.
Time passed. We shivered, and tried to keep the boat pointing more or
less downwind. Every few seconds it would slew as much as 45 degrees off
course, though, fortunately, we never broached. The jib took a horrible
beating as it was constantly backwinding and flogging. I kept hoping it
wouldn't tear. It didn't, and we thanked the sailmaker by buying seven
more sails from him before he returned to more lucrative business
endeavors than sailmaking. A lot of water came aboard, and at least one
wave broke well over our heads. At one point, a rather strained but calm
voice asked me if we were going to make it. I said yes, but I wasn't
sure I believed my answer. We were ever so fortunate that the NE wind
was very roughly blowing parallel to the Maine coast. Had we been blown
toward shore our situation would have been really desperate. As it was,
we were merely miserable, tethered to the boat with good safety
harnesses (ah, something done right).
By late afternoon I at least was able to admire the beauty of the seas
and to marvel at the seabirds gliding below the wave crests. Julie quite
sensibly suggested that we call the Coast Guard to tell them that we
were out here. The Coast Guard was calm and reassuring. We were
apparently well south of Portland by this time. They asked many
questions, we answered, and just before sunset a big air-sea rescue
helicopter located us some 25 miles NE of Cape Ann. Now we faced another
decision -- stay aboard or be taken off and leave the boat to its fate.
The wind was beginning to moderate a little, we couldn't think of good
story for our insurance company, and we weren't incapacitated, so we
stayed aboard. The helicopter crew gave us the course to Gloucester and
then went off to look for a 40' ketch with an incapacitated crew. (The
search and rescue report in NE Offshore claimed we were lost and
disoriented. Not true. We were certainly lost, but we knew roughly where
we were heading and that a turn to starboard would bring us to the
coast. More than one boat sank during this gale.)
As the helicopter disappeared the CG cutter Dallas contacted us to tell
us that they would escort us to Cape Ann. The radioman told us we'd have
no trouble spotting them -- the Dallas is 270' long. A little after dark
she found us, took position a little ways off our stern, and followed us
toward Gloucester.
Eventually we were met by a 40' CG boat which we followed into
Gloucester, the first time we'd entered a harbor after dark. I found
all the lights very confusing and would not have wanted to enter without
some help. The Gloucester CG laddies offered to tow us, but I declined
mostly because I was too sick and cold to trust myself on a small,
heaving foredeck. At about 0300 hours we tied up in Gloucester, some 20
hours after leaving Monhegan, very cold, tired, and hungry (we'd eaten
only a few grapes during the entire trip).
There are many lessons in all this. Among them are:
Listen to weather forecasts with great skepticism. We've decided that
trusting weather forecasts with your boat and life can be definitely
risky. The forecasts cover a large area -- such as Eastport, ME, to the
Merrimack River -- and can be quite wrong in small areas. Last September
we had the dubious pleasure of beating across Penobscot Bay in 35 to 50
knot winds when the forecast was for 15 to 20. The winds actually were
as forecast on both shores of the bay. However, by and large, the NOAA
forecasts are reasonably good and they tend to be conservative.
Never assume that you won't have to sail in high winds and seas. (We now
have both storm jib and trysail -- both as yet unused). Be prepared for
bad weather (which is why, among other reasons, we added a third reef to
our mainsail). Weather forecasts can be very wrong, and the weather can
get bad with incredible rapidity -- like 0 to 50 knots in minutes.
Have some way of cooking in rough weather, if only a single burner
SeaSwing-type gimballed stove. (Our C&C had only an ungimballed stove
with no pot rails.) Hot soup, stew, or whatever does much to improve
one's outlook on life and physical well-being (assuming you're not too
sick to eat or drink).
Have ample, adequate ground tackle. (We now have three anchors, 300' of
anchor chain, and about 1200' of nylon rode.) Do not anchor near the
limits of your ground tackle. For example, 10 to 1 scope might be needed
in a sudden squall, so don't anchor in over 30' of water with a 300'
rode. Resist the temptation (financial and physical) to use a small,
light anchor. If the harbor is too crowded for adequate scope, go
elsewhere (yeah, right, easy to say, often impossible to do). Further
resist the temptation to anchor close to shore. A wind shift could put
you aground. Do reanchor if necessary. Some friends left their 33' boat
on a small anchor with short scope. They returned to find their boat on
the other side of a large anchorage about to go ashore.)
Never leave good shelter in bad weather (fog, rain, wind, or big seas)
unless there is absolutely no alternative. And do not commit yourself to
staying at a marginal anchorage if the weather is in any way uncertain.
Find a safe refuge. 'Tis better to be back at work a day late than
unnecessarily risk your life, your crew's lives, and your boat.
Have some way of sleeping safely and comfortably in rough weather.
(We now have bunk leecloths that have allowed us to sleep comfortably
in 15' seas.) Forward V-berths are not usable in rough weather, and
some/many quarterberths are difficult and dangerous to get into and out
of when the boat is heaving wildly. Sleeping on the cabin sole (which
we've done) is an uncomfortable last resort.
Have more than one set of warm clothes. A cabin heater is also a good
idea. Julie and I were both close to hypothermia by the end.
Be able to navigate in rough weather. (Our C&C had no chart table, and
we had only a log, compass, and an uncalibrated RDF. An inexpensive
loran was $1895 in 1978. We didn't buy a loran until 1982 and I can't
imagine not having one now.)
Don't assume that you can tow a dinghy safely. Carry it aboard. Some way
of staying afloat and out of the water if your boat sinks is essential to
survival. (A Tenants Harbor fisherman found and returned the fiberglass
dinghy we lost. We now carry an Avon inflateable dinghy and, on the
foredeck, an Avon liferaft we bought after another, less severe Gulf of
Maine gale in 1982.)
Carry a spare VHF radio (at today's prices this is easily affordable).
(We still have the VHF we had in 1978 -- to my complete amazement washing
the salt water out of the innards with fresh water restored it to working
order -- plus we have a handheld VHF.) A handheld VHF (with spare
batteries) is a very good addition to an abandon ship bag (a good idea
for those sails more than a couple of hours from shelter).
Know, somehow, the limits of your boat, and stay well within them. Go
sailing in sort of bad weather to learn to handle your boat. Don't wait
until you're caught unexpectedly.
Have plenty of easily grasped handrails above and below deck (we've
added eight below deck). Being thrown across the cabin is a good way to
be badly hurt. Julie once fell down the companionway -- at anchor -- and
broke three ribs when she hit the chart table.
When things get bad, keep on keeping on. The limits of what you can do
are far beyond what you think they are. Take the time to think about
what is the best course of action, don't hurry, and stay calm.
All of this seems quite obvious in retrospect, but it wasn't at the
time. We simply didn't know very much about the ocean and sailing, and
mostly didn't realize we didn't know very much. Almost always lack of
caution and unpreparedness is no problem, but little things like violent
squalls do happen uncomfortably often. We once wandered through a 19th
century family graveyard on one of the Maine islands. Virtually every
male who reached adulthood died at sea ..... usually young.
Above all, remember that over-confidence, carelessness, and not planning
ahead can easily kill you. We are now cautious sailors, but we still
enjoy sailing and going to new, more distant places (like Bermuda).
One of my goals in sailing is making safe, comfortable overnight (and
occasionally longer) passages. Most boats are basically alright, but
there are always many improvements that can be made. Berth leecloths,
additional grabrails, convenient stowage that doesn't allow things to
rattle, a bracket at the chart table to keep the parallel ruler from
sliding around, and dish locker doors that stay closed are just a few
examples. One of the most important pieces of equipment is, I think,
reliable self-steering. I wouldn't leave port without it. The best way
to decide what improvements to make to your boat is to make some
overnight passages (especially one that is a somewhat wet, rough beat to
weather). You'll quickly learn what needs to be added or improved.
Oh yes, the gale discussed above is still the worst weather I've been in
at sea. I've no desire at all to experience worse.
|
| 1330.2 | EXPERIENCE is a great teacher! | MARINR::DARROW | Tide racing can be fun! | Fri Sep 01 1989 15:07 | 56 |
| I just could not resit such an invitation. Although, I am sure there are
many contributers to this notes file who might say it better.
PREPARATION, PATIENCE, PRECAUTION and PRIDE!!!!
Many, MANY years ago, I chartered, no, RENTED a Venture 21 for the day
out of Seal Harbor, Maine and fulfilled a dream of SAILING into
Northeast Harbor.
When my wife, three small sons, mother inlaw and I arrived at the town
pier, the renter appologized for the fact that the outboard auxillary
that was supposed to be on the boat have been moved by 'some one' to
another boat. "No problem" says self to self, "good breeze today".
Off we went with out so much as a brief check of the rest of the
equipment on board.
Great sail out of the harbor and into Northeast. Superb approach to the
town dock under sail. Nice sail out towards Grest Cranberry Island.
Wind still good? Why not sail out around Great Cranberry and Little
Cranbery? Why, because it was already past 2:30 and EVERYBODY knows the
winds can shift/drop around 4:00. But sail we did until the wind died
just as we were outside of and between the two islands. Incoming tide
starts to carry us towards the islands. Well, lets paddle towards the
cut between the islands. What, no paddle? Oops there goes the keel
saying hello to the solid rock bottom. Crank up the swing keel. Watch
out for that sharp rock! No motor, no paddle, no boat hook or pole to
fend off with, put on sneakers and jump in and walk boat through the
narrow cut. Tide still going in. Now 1/2 mile inside of island but
still 3/4 mile from Seal Harbor. Whats this, the sails are starting to
fill! No they are not! The tide has turned and we are drifting
BACKWARDS away from the harbor!
Hey! There goes a boat. He is looking this way. No, don't holler or
wave for help, let us wait, the wind might come up. From where who
knows. Well the fella on the other boat was smart enough to know that
we were in REAL trouble even if I would/could not admit it. He circled
around and offered a tow which we accepted and then proceeded to
lecture me all the way in to the dock. I NEVER forgot.
Lessons:
PREPARATION, PATIENCE, PRECAUTION and PRIDE!!!!
PATIENCE, I can always sail another day if I am not PREPARED today.
I now take the PRECAUTION to check the safety related equipment EACH
time I set sail.
I now take PRIDE in my PATIENCE to take the PRECAUTION to complete the
PREPARATION. I also will NEVER let a false sense of PRIDE keep me from
honestly assessing the situation and looking for help as soon as
posible. I COULD have and SHOULD have put in at Great Cranberry Island
and found help in getting back to Seal Harbor instead of putting my
entire family at risk.
I look back and am very thankful that the well learned and deeply
imprinted lesson was not a costly one.
|
| 1330.3 | Thanks for the note | CLYPPR::EASTLAND | | Fri Sep 01 1989 15:40 | 26 |
|
Thanks for sharing the experiences. I know it is somewhat painful to dredge up
experiences that were painful enough at the time, and that humbled us before
the ocean and the weather, but it is of *great* value to others. One day a note
in this file could save someone's life - and I say this without trying to be
histrionic.
I can think of some times we were left to the mercy of the elements while I was
in the Royal Navy cadets back in England. Most of these came down to a bunch of
us (at least 12) sitting in a 27 foot open boat rigged for sail (gaff rig, and
lifeboat at the time for the frigate we were on) while one midshipman or
another tried his untested skills on finding our way back to the ship while
the North Sea started playing up. Apart from the pub-crawling along the
Scottish highland coast I don't remember too much. Then we were all in our
teens and didn't give a s***. You know, back then everything's a joke, even
getting drowned. As they say, ignorance is bliss.
Since then I find I value my hide much more (if with less justification) and
want you to know we are grateful for publishing these experiences. If anything
noteworthy or salutary occurs to us, we'll add a few lines but so far cruising
has only hit us with a few squalls (touch wood).
|
| 1330.4 | Stay warm, stay confident | AKOV12::DJOHNSTON | | Fri Sep 01 1989 16:54 | 22 |
| Re .1 Alan mentions hypothermia as a factor in decision making. Being
cold and uncomfortable is in my mind one of the most dangerous
situations that can occur on a boat because it does cloud your decision
making ability and your attitude. It is for this reason that I always
recommend buying the very best foul weather gear you can find. Damn
the price. It is a tiny fraction of your total investment. This is no
place to scimp. I read about these "deals" on trash gear elsewhere in
these notes and grin.
The worst of situations always looks better when you are warm and
relatively dry. A moderate situation takes on a serious pall when you
are cold and wet. I only know this from hard experience.
The warm food bit is equally good advice. Even the forethought of a
thermos of hot water to make cup o' soup, or better yet, cup o' noodles
can really help.
Further, unless you are up to your ankles in seawater while standing on
the deck don't leave the boat.
Dave
|
| 1330.5 | Sailing at night | ALLVAX::THOMPSON | | Sun Sep 03 1989 23:23 | 72 |
| This relates to the first time I sailed form Boston to Provincetown.
Three of us set off in a Pearson 26. Two persons making this trip were
complete novices and one of us (me) was invited to provide the experience
level of someone who had ceased to be a complete novice a few months
earlier.
1100 Leave mooring at Boston Harbour Sailing Club. Under power.
1323 G "3" near Boston Light. Begin sailing down coast.
1757 Off Plymouth light. C 105 magnetic. Sail for Provincetown.
MISTAKE ONE.
The above decision could get us to Provincetown around midnight.
This is not a good time for novices to approach an unfamiliar port.
1828 'Reefed main.'
2130 'Expected to reach G buoy but no sighting.'
(Refers to Fl G 4sec BELL at entrance to P'town.)
2137 'Beating through steep waves coming from north is slow and rough.'
MISTAKE TWO
All three of us were sitting in the cockpit. I had made hot soup
so we felt ok at first. However it was cold (September).
We should have organised watches. At any time, one of us should have
been below, preferably in a sleeping bag, getting the body temperature
up! Instead all three of us sat in the wind and spray.
Of course we planned to be moored in Provincetown harbour in a few
hours...
2147 'C 180 magnetic. Acute concern over possible proximity of land caused
this course change.'
0011 'Nearly ran aground. Muddy shore and steep cliff with houses on it.
Quick flashing white light is on shore.'
MISTAKE THREE
You must know your 'distance off'. Novices tend to emphasize
direction. Distance is more difficult.
We had been navigating using Cape Cod Bay 1:80,000 chart.
On our approach to Provincetown we changed to a chart of the same
size but on a much larger scale (?) 1:20,000. This chart showed
an ENORMOUS hook at the end of Cape Cod.
We had good visibility and could see the Pilgrim Monument (348ft)
but the coast was a mass of lights which we could not identify.
Between us and the town was that enormous hook of sand dunes,
which we took to be the dark areas with no lights.
There are many ways of judging 'distance off', but all are more
difficult at 1am.
0105 'Saw large ferry leave harbour.'
0200 'Moored behind breakwater.'
-------------------------------------------------------------
Boston to Provincetown is rather far for a days sail in a 26' boat.
However this summer I did it twice leaving after work on Friday evening.
In this way, we see a wonderful sunrise over the Cape and approach
the harbour in daylight and... if we are delayed we STILL approach the
harbour in daylight.
I arranged for 2hour watches. These are short but this has the advantage
that the crew meets more often to discuss navigation etc. It also means that
each member of the crew enjoys different phases of the night and the dawn.
The 2hour periods of sleep are enough to postpone fatigue and maintain
body temperature.
Lastly, run a line from bow to stern on each side of the boat inside the
lifelines and outside the shrouds. Make sure anyone on deck has their
harness attached to one of these.
Mike.
|
| 1330.6 | Keep the cloth up | ISLNDS::BAHLIN | | Wed Sep 06 1989 11:11 | 34 |
| My first 'big' boat was a Ranger 23. Prior to this my experience
was with daysailing in a 14' Javelin. The Javelin was easy to
run to cover with and this was all the storm tactics that were needed
with it. The Ranger needed more and I was not prepared for that.
I was caught in Cape Cod Bay with my Ranger in 30+ winds. My closest
cover was Barnstable harbor and I was posessed with getting in there.
That was my first mistake. The wind was southeast and it would
have been much safer and easier to run off to Plymouth. Anyway,
that wasn't the biggest. My main only had a single set of reef
points and my jib had none. With the main reefed the boat was
overpowered but (in hindsight) not terribly so. The mistake made
was to drop all sail, hoping to motor in to Barnstable. Wrong!
The boat had a six horse outboard which could not power the boat
up the steep seas. The bow would reach a crest, come into fresh
wind and be blown off to leeward. It was impossible to steer in
the 'posessed' direction. I guess one lesson learned here was
"don't get posessed", it makes you stop looking at perfectly rational
alternatives. The other lesson, and this I think is most important
for novices, is that sailboats need sails to operate well in severe
conditions. My motor was too small and spent a great deal of time
out of the water in those seas. My boat needed the roll damping
provided by sails and it needed the power of the sails to get me
in. Make sure that you have adequate reef points to continue using
your sails because THEY are your motor.
Oh yes, there was another lesson here as well. After about 30
minutes of this thrashing and terror, a sport fisherman towed me
in. The final lesson is that one should always stay on good terms
with powerboaters. They have big powerful propulsion on all points
of sail.
|
| 1330.7 | Lesson Learned and Not to be Forgotten! | CRUISE::JWHITTAKER | | Wed Sep 06 1989 13:13 | 26 |
| My first experience in ocean sailing taught me a lesson worth passing
on to other 1st timers. My son and I sailed from Ferry Beach in
Saco, ME into Saco Bay. Having a O'Day Daysailor III, we lauched
at the local launch facility and took our first trip out the Saco
River, past the man-made breakwater and into Saco Bay. Great Wind
and minimal swells.
Before taking out first trip, sought the advice of others. Got
a Chart, safety gear, etc. What I didn't do is find out what the
affect of low tide did to the launch site. After a highly successful
1st ocean sail (always within sight of land) we proudly sailed up
the Saco River to the Ferry Beach launch site, only to find a large
sandbar between us and the launch site. We tied up to the dock
and asked the Dockmaster for advice; to wit he replyed "you dummies
forgot to check the tide, ah!" to which I had to admit our failure
to do so. He let us tie-up to the mooring, along with all the dories
owned by other boaters moored in the area, and wished us luck when
we returned later that night to claim our boat and trailer it out
in the dark. The lesson learned: don't be afraid to ask questions
when sailing in an area for the first time; tides and currents are
different for each area; and on the positive end, this lesson did
not hurt us or the boat, only our slightly damaged pride. I for
one will ask before I sail.
Jay
|
| 1330.8 | Backups are more important | HYDRA::HAYS | Can't go back and you can't stand still .. Phil Hays LTN1-1/Go8 | Thu Sep 07 1989 16:44 | 36 |
| RE:.4 by AKOV12::DJOHNSTON
> It is for this reason that I always recommend buying the very best foul
> weather gear you can find. Damn the price. It is a tiny fraction of your
> total investment. This is no place to scimp.
Yes... but there are a lot of other safety related investments that are far
more important than the difference between $400 and $100 foul weather gear.
Does your boat have a storm jib? Enough reef points? Jacklines and/or other
good harness attachment points? A masthead running light? Two pairs of
binoculars? A RDF? A couple of charts of places you might _have_ to go to?
Extra jib/mainsheet? A extra block or four? Bolt cutters to cut away your rig
if it falls? Extra sweaters/pants (the best foul weather gear will not keep
you warm all by itself!)? A sleeping bag? A _spare_ thermos? A AM radio
(which will work as a RDF on AM broadcast stations)? Two big (storm sized)
anchors with lots of rode?
I am a believer in defense in depth. Do not rely on any one, "super" item.
It is often better to have good items, with at least one backup.
I once went for a daysail (with two friends) on Boston Harbor on a hot, windy
day. We planned on being back by 3pm. The wind died, and we couldn't make
it in until after 11PM. Now there was some things we did right. We had
sweaters and foul weather gear with us, so we were reasonably warm. We had
a thermos of hot tea. With honey. Mmm good. It is amazing how much a half
cup of tea will warm you up. Did one thing wrong, and it worried me all
night, and that was the boat had no lights and I didn't bring a flashlight.
It is _scary_ to be sailing in the dark, and see a power boat on a collision
course, and NOT know if he will see or hear you.... Or if you can avoid him
if he doesn't. If I were to be daysailing on boats without running lights on
the ocean again, I would take two flashlights with me. Even with running
lights, I would make sure that there was a working flashlight on board.
Phil
|
| 1330.9 | Stay dry, stay alive! | AKOV12::DJOHNSTON | | Thu Sep 07 1989 17:39 | 29 |
| Re: -.1
Everybody has their preferences. I would disagree with a lot of the
stuff you mention. For example I would rather have great foul weather
gear than the following: Masthead light (do need lights, but not on the
masthead), extra set of binoculars, RDF (never used one, never missed
it), AM radio (unless the world series was on), sleeping bag (if you
don't get hypothermic you won't need it. Can always wrap up in a chute
if you need to), extra storm anchor (nice to have, rather be dry), and
even the harness and jacklines.
I can only imagine the howls this will bring. If you think about it,
though, there are many many more times the conditions are wet and cold
than threatening to toss you out of the boat. Being securely attached
to the boat while freezing to death soaking wet holds no virtue to me.
I have lots of miles beneath me and have used harnesses very few times.
Of course one can have an ultra safe, ultra equipped boat with
redundant features. Most of us have to prioritize based upon what we
want to carry and what we can afford. In terms of the amount of use
and additional comfort it provides, not to mention the probability it
will keep you in shape to make sound decisions, I rate top notch foul
weather gear as the number one safety feature one can have. I do not
include, ofcourse, mandatory equipment like charts and lights.
Well, here goes...
Dave
|
| 1330.10 | | MSCSSE::BERENS | Alan Berens | Thu Sep 07 1989 18:06 | 28 |
| re .8:
I agree with you, mostly. What you overlook is that everyone's budget is
limited, and that not eveyone can equip his/her boat with every
possible piece of safety equipment, at least not all at once. It is
necessary, I think, to prepare for the most likely events first and to
prepare in a way that minimizes the overall risk of sailing (see note
254.1 for my long discussion of this).
For example: When sailing, you are going to get rained upon and
splashed. No question about it. Foul weather gear that will keep you DRY
is, and I agree with Dave, absolutely essential. $100 foul weather gear
probably won't keep you dry, $400 foul weather gear probably will, and
staying dry may, worst case, mean staying alive. On the other hand, the
careful coastal sailor is unlikely to need a storm jib (I haven't needed
mine in the last 10 years). I wouldn't buy inadequate foul weather gear
just so I could buy a storm jib.
I disagree with Dave to the extent that I believe that certain equipment
should be aboard regardless of cost. In this category I would include
foul weather gear, safety harnesses, masthead light, sleeping bag, etc.
But then Dave's sailing and my sailing are rather different. What you
consider essential should fit the conditions you expect, your boat, and
the crew you sail with.
Alan
|
| 1330.11 | lines overboard | ROLL::ANTONIADIS | | Thu Sep 07 1989 18:23 | 27 |
| I have sailed over 8500 miles in four years in my Beneteau 35, MISTRAL
(see note 1189) including three trips to Bermuda and the only serious
damage to the boat ever was caused by an overboard sheet!
I had lent MISTRAL to a friend who encountered difficulties with the
jib furling system due to a frozen bearing. He was essentially single
-handed and while he was preparing to take the jib down in about 20
kn wind with slight headway under power, one of the jib sheets flailed
overboard, was tangled to the prop, spooled aroung the shaft and by
pulling it sideways broke the strut and of course bent the prop shaft.
Fortunately the motor stalled and no more damage was caused. I read
in the press this year that under similar circumstances a boat was
holed and sank between Bermuda and the US. This is serious stuff...
I cannot overemphasize the need to keep a constant eye for dragging
lines even if one does not expect to have the prop enganged for the
foreseeable future. Person overboard or any other emergency may require
instant use of power. Keep knots on all sheets except for the spinnaker
ones since those you may need to dump in a real hurry, again perhaps
in a person overboard situation. By the way, this manouver may also
require dumping the spinnaker halyard, so be ready for that too,
preferably by keeping a sharp knife ready.
Particularly in rough conditions, with the boat healing 30 degrees or
so, lines can easily find their way overboard. Keep a sharp eye for
that particularly at night.
|
| 1330.12 | are you guys talking about the same things? | BOOKS::BAILEYB | Crazy in the sunlight, yes indeed! | Fri Sep 08 1989 10:03 | 41 |
| Re .8
I think in a way you and Dave are talking apples and oranges. Some of
the stuff you mentioned is basic safety gear, and should be on the boat
regardless of your foul weather gear. For example, you mention a storm
jib. If you're just doing coastal sailing you can get by without it.
We have never had one on WAGS (wished for one a couple of times) but
have always been able to get by without it. On the other hand, if
you're doing some off-shore sailing it's only basic sensible practice
to have one. Other gear, like jack-lines, can be rigged from spare
lines if needed. Harnesses should always be aboard, at least for the
foredeck crew. (Whether or not the crew chooses to use them is another
matter.) Bolt cutters are another item that should go aboard and stay
aboard all season. Shouldn't have any impact on how much your foul
weather gear budget is gonna be. Masthead running lights ??? Nice,
but you can survive without one. Flashlights? Again, should be
standard gear regardless of other considerations.
Getting back to the matter of foul weather gear, Dave's point in .4 had
to do with the way wet and cold can impair your physical and mental
ability. This is a valid point. Good foul weather gear can go a long
way. As can the sweaters/pants you mention. I guess we all have
preferred ways of keeping warm and dry. I've discovered that polypro
long johns, socks, and glove liners (under my sailing gloves) are more
effective (and less bulky) and sweaters and extra pants (besides,
nothing will sap your body heat quicker than wet blue jeans). With the
polypro stuff close to the skin I can stay adequately warm even if I
get wet beneath the foul weather gear.
My point is that all the stuff you mention are good preparatory
practice for sailing in certain conditions. Budgetary constraints
shouldn't hamper you from getting this stuff if you're going to be
sailing in conditions that may require you to have back-ups. Simply
put, if you can't afford to adequately prepare for worst-case
conditions, don't go. However, I don't see that this should have any
bearing on your choice of foul weather gear. You're gonna be needing
it a lot more often than a storm jib or jack lines.
... Bob
|
| 1330.13 | Spurs | MSCSSE::BERENS | Alan Berens | Fri Sep 08 1989 10:25 | 14 |
| re .11:
We installled a Spurs line cutter on our propeller shaft this past winter.
Contrary to the manufacturer's claims, it does appear to reduce speed under
power a bit (like a quarter to a half knot, but this might be because the
diameter of the cutter is large relative to the diameter of the propeller).
But, it DOES work. Due to a moment of inattention, I discovered that, with a
loud thump, it cuts 3/4" three-strand nylon mooring pennants without stalling
the engine (engine speed 1400 to 1600 rpm). Thus, I expect that it would cut
jib sheets quite nicely, too. Racers certainly won't tolerate the extra drag,
but for us cruising types a Spurs seems like a good safety device.
Alan
|
| 1330.14 | IT ONLY HAPPENS IN THREES | CHEFS::GOUGHP | Pete Gough BT Corp Account Team | Fri Sep 08 1989 11:29 | 75 |
|
The following was an article that I wrote that appeared in the Moody
Owners Association Mag about our cruise in '88. This season the
spurs again saved us off the Brittany Coast (Well known for strong
tides rocks and fog....) It cut through a line about 1/4 thick and
the engine kept going. In terms of foul gear I agree with those
who say spend to the maximum you can afford. In the disastrous '79
Fastnet race cold and wet made a number of crews take decisions
that with hind sight were unwise.
===========================================================================
IT ONLY HAPPENS IN THREES . . .
===============================
Thursday 23rd June last year started for us when the alarm startled us into
life at 6am. Drawing the curtains I was nearly blinded by a strange light,
the sun. A rush for the train as I had an 0830 meeting in the London office
followed by a client meeting. I had hoped to be back in Reading for the
afternoon to ensure everything was OK prior to going on holiday for 3 weeks.
Jackie had agreed to leave her office in time to be home for 5 pm as I had.
We arrived home and loaded up and set of for the marina (about 1hr 15 mins
away).
We arrived down at the marina and got a forecast which was perfect for a
cross channel. (We had intended to get a good nights sleep and set off on
Friday). At 19:45 we locked out of Chichester Yacht Basin bound for
Alderney. As we turned to head up the Itchenor Channel the log failed , down
I went to find some fine weed totally clogging the sensor. I am told it was
a beautiful evening in Chichester harbour but I did not emerge until we were
about to cross Chichester bar. Log repaired we set sail and were soon
enjoying supper in the cockpit doing 5.5 knots on a broad reach with the
tiller pilot doing the work. As we were level with Bembridge Ledges the
tiller pilot bleeped and ceased to function........down below I went again
and Jackie told me that the sunset was superb. I emerged having found the
problem and reset the tiller pilot.
We joked and wondered what the third thing to happen would be. We had a
superb sail through the night till about 0900 we were a couple of miles of
Alderney when we were doing less than three knots, we fired up the engine
dropped the sails and started into Alderney when......
The engine stopped ,we pulled out the genoa and down below I went again to
try and turn the shaft by hand but couldn't. I started the engine and put it
astern to see if I could loosen up the obstruction but the engine just
stalled again. We notified Alderney harbour of our predicament and asked
them to keep an eye on us just in case. It took us two hours to sail 1 mile
but finally made it and were nudged onto a buoy by the Geordie AHM. I
inflated the dingy and with a boat hook started to pull some woven plastic
sheet from around the prop, but with the prop still solid exhaustion got the
better of me and I got my head down. After an hour I woke up and was
conscious that I could see a couple of people getting into wet suits on a
large tri on a buoy further out. Without thinking I got into the dinghy and
started paddling towards them. At that stage Jackie woke up and initially
she thought I was drifting out to sea....I arrived at the tri called TREBLE
SCOTCH and after some good humoured negotiation the price of some wine was
agreed. It took two divers with tanks on 20 mins to clear the prop. Later
that day we saw 5 other craft pulled in with fouled props. In the evening we
joined some friends of Jackies for drinks ashore they had come up from
Guernsey and seen several large sheets of this polythene about six inches
below the surface.....
We then had a trouble free holiday around Treguir and the Isle de Brehat.
This winter we have had a stripper fitted to the shaft.......
Pete Gough "CIRCE" January 1989.
|
| 1330.15 | $.02 + .02 + .02 | CDR::SPENCER | John Spencer | Fri Sep 08 1989 19:15 | 36 |
| RE:. 8.
I can't resist chiming in on the FWG issue -- definitely get the best or
nearly the best available. D*mn the cost; it may save your life. Ten
years ago I spent two springtime months sailing an open boat from FLorida
to Maine, including a couple >48-hour non-stop offshore passages on that
trip. North of Jacksonville, it got plenty wet and north of Norfolk it
got plenty cold (April). Next to the boat itself, our FWG was the *most*
critical element to our success, as was driven home very directly several
times. Need I say it any stronger?
>>> Even with running lights, I would make sure that there was a working
>>> flashlight on board.
Good idea, even if your boat does have running lights, which might go out.
Be sure it's more than a 2 D-cell size, and that it has some power. There
are some decent ones that run on 9-volt lantern batteries.
*Never* shine it on another vessel's bridge (this is quite illegal, as it
may easily nightblind the other skipper), but do shine it on your sails,
perhaps moving it about some to make it more of an attention-getter. It's
amazing how far off another boat can identify you as a sailboat this way,
and perhaps even deduce your course and speed from what they can see by
your sailset and angle of heel.
RE: wrapping line around the prop,
It amazes me how many boats suffer significant damage this way. There are
quite a few sinkings each year, both sail and powerboats, resulting from
line wrapping around the prop and dislodging the shaft enough that it
falls out. Suddenly the skipper is faced with a 1"-2" hole well below the
waterline in a normally inaccessible spot! Few boats carry fitted plugs
right next to the potential fatal leak.
J.
|
| 1330.16 | Abandoning ship | VIA::RUDY | | Tue Sep 12 1989 13:23 | 12 |
|
Re .4
"Further, unless you are up to your ankles in seawater while standing on
the deck don't leave the boat."
Another similar quote I have heard on abandoning ship is
"if you feel you must resort to your life raft then inflate it on
deck and sit in it until it floats away on its own accord.
|
| 1330.17 | here's my foolish day... | ROMOIS::DEANGELI | Abbasso tutte le diete!!! | Wed Jul 10 1991 05:53 | 62 |
| I heard (or read, don't remember) this very simple one:
"When you go sailing for one day, carry food for three days
and water for five."
My worst experience happened the 2nd time I went out with a friend
girl with no experience of sailing. We lived in Pescara, Adriatic
Sea, East Coast of Italy and decided to have a day trip to a nice
bay SE 20 miles. Pescara has a river/channel harbor and a friend
who trusted in me notwithstanding my 19 years young (and 6 months
sailing practice) lent me is open 26' cutter (something like an
enormous Flying Dutchman with 32 sq.meters of main and genoa and
a 500 libs centerboard; a tipical boat you can find on that coast).
Moreover she carried a 5 HP British Seagull (BTW she displaced
2700 libs).
Well: the morning was fine, light air, sunny (July) and the girl was
late, and I was anxious to go out as I had some plans in my mind...
and I didn't pay much attention to the boat. Finally she arrived,
and I decided to go out with the engine (engine, that kind of stupid
beetle!) and to raise sails out of the channel. As soon as we were
out I realized that the SE to E wind was stronger than I thought
from the pier and waves were higher but I decided to motor against
them for a little, just out of the channel and then raise the main,
heading windward.
This was the 2nd mistake (the 1st having gone out motoring with the
bl...y beetle).
After a short I understood that the so-called engine wasn't able to
carry us ahead against those waves and, after an unsuccesful try to
raise the main (because the genoa was really enormous, 18 sq. mtrs,
and I thought safer the main) I decided to turn backwards and motor
leeward of the channel with the waves on the poop, anchor in calm
sea and then raise the sails.
And this was the 3rd, because I should have raised the genoa and
should have gone very easily leeward in calm sea.
As soon as I turned and started in the new direction a wave broke
on the poop and stooped the B.S. (British Seagull? B..l S..t?)
and we were there without any kind of power, only pushed by the waves.
I could just turn the boat against the sea and anchor her and there
we stayed, waiting for Heaven's help.
People on the bars of the channel looking at those two stupids on
that stupid boat rolling everywhere, and I didn't know what else
to, I was completely confused and out of spirit. Shaking my harms,
after about half an our I attracted a big fisherman but they weren't
able to tow us, too high waves and they couldn't come close enough.
I started considering ourselves lost just in front of the harbour.
Luckyly, at the very end (one our after) an oyster fisherman, with a
very marine hull came very close and gave us the tow and then I had
to lift the anchor that really did such a good job that I spent a
ten minutes again to lift it.
Morale: all what has been written up to this note is very, very true.
1) NEVER presume you're able to do something you haven't done before.
2) SAILS do are your engine.
3) Better to lose one hour leeward and have everything well thought
and well done, than risk stupidly because you want to speed up.
IF YOU WANT TO SPEED UP, SAIL POWERBOATS, THEY'VE BEEN MADE FOR THAT.
Sailing is for calm, quiet, thinking persons.
Ciao, Arrigo (23 years after that day).
|
| 1330.18 | A hard right of way lesson | VAXWRK::GRANOFF | We've got IBM talking to themselves... | Mon Jul 22 1991 12:34 | 38 |
| Every year, my former summer camp holds a Sailing Cup. Beginning in early to
mid August, they have as many races as possible (weather and wind permitting)
between 4 skippers and crews. The boats are 15' Mercuries (jib, main, and 300
pound keels).
One summer (I think I was 15 and in my last year as a camper), we were tacking
before a race start; I was the skipper. It was quite gusty; white caps, good
heeling, the works. Anyhow, I was on a port tack, approaching another boat on
a starboard tack. If there was ever any doubt in my mind then about right of
way rules, it's gone. The other boat had right of way. I know that now. But
then, I don't know what I was thinking. I should have headed down wind, but I
headed up wind. We passed within arms reach. Given the conditions, we were
both movin'! So much so, that we both had all we could do to keep our boats
under control. Be that as it may, my boom was extended out over my leeward
side. Now, on each of these booms is an outhaul cleat, fastened on what was my
leeward side, horizontally. Also on these boats are (as you would expect), 3
stays from the mast to the deck (a bow stay and one on each side).
When our boats passed, since I passed him on his windward side, my boom
contacted his starboard stay, all the way to the outhaul cleat, which caught
his stay, and...
...pulled his mast right down, bent ever so neatly right in the middle. He
stopped sailing, mostly because I was still sailing, pulling him along with
me...
It wasn't pretty, and I learned my lesson (which is not to say that I did not
follow (or do not follow) rules). I simply had a lapse of memory under the
pressure to win and the excitement.
Needless to say, I was quite upset. Thankfully, being a camper, I did not have
to pay for the new mast. That race was cancelled, the then fourth place
skipper offered to bow out (since he could come back the following year), and
the Cup races continued with 3 boats.
It must have looked pretty hairy from the beach...
-Mark
|
| 1330.19 | not a disaster story | MSCSSE::BERENS | Alan Berens | Fri Sep 13 1991 14:11 | 35 |
| Well, our recent Maine vacation reminded me that over-confidence is not a
good thing. Our diesel engine has refused to start a few times this year
-- air in the fuel system. After careful bleeding of the injection pump
and fuel injectors, it would run fine. I decided to ignore the problem
until this winter and simply bleed the injectors every two or three days
during our vacation since I am not fond of disassembling diesel fuel
systems, especially in search of a miniscule air leak.
So late one afternoon we were beating into a 20 to 25 knot wind toward
our chosen anchorage and, surprise, the engine refused to start when
it came time to anchor. Oh great, and we hadn't anchored under sail in
a few years, but at least we had once upon a time practiced doing so.
Fortunately, the water was nearly calm (we were in a good lee) and there
was ample room to leeward to recover from a fiasco. Even better, we
anchored without problem on the first try.
After being sure the anchor was set, I bled the fuel system and got the
engine running -- and discovered to my horror a stream of diesel fuel
pouring into the bilge from under the engine. My first reaction was
"thank gods is isn't gasoline". My second reaction was "[expletive
deleted]". A bit of investigation showed that an O-ring around a banjo
bolt securing a bleed screw/fuel pressure switch adapter block to the
injection pump had failed. O-rings never fail, so of course all my
spares were at home. Fortunately, I had a piece of motorcycle tire inner
tube along (being used as a rubber band) and from this I was able to
make a temporary replacement O-ring. A couple of days later two new
O-rings from an automobile parts store cost $0.78. These O-rings aren't
even listed in the parts manual for our engine. I guess you're expected
to replace the entire injection pump. At least I've probably found the
air leak. But I'm still putting off doing anything about a fuel delivery
pipe that is reluctant to seal at the injector. I'll have that tended to
when I take the injection pump and injectors in for cleaning and
recalibration this winter.
The moral(s) in this story are self-evident.
|
| 1330.20 | RTFM | GUIDUK::KOWALSKI | [ @Philly | @Seattle ] | Mon Sep 23 1991 16:17 | 54 |
| We recently had a good lesson about how to and how to not leave a
float with a strong current on the stern.
First the how not:
Came into a tight dead-end float slip in the evening with a strong
following current (~3-4 kts). The geometry was about like this:
|--------------------------float-------------------------------
| -------------------------------------------------------------
| | ====BIGBOAT==== ====BIGBOAT==== =BOAT= =BOAT=
| |
| | <===CURRENT
| |
| | ==BOAT== ==BOAT== =BOAT= <--approach
| -----------------------------|
| -------short float-----------|
We were trying to get our 24' full-keel Dana into the space between the
two big boats. Realizing our departure the next day would be much
easier if we got our nose swung back into the current, I tried twice to
swing the bow to starboard as we passed the 1st small boat in the short
float; however, the current kept the nose down, so we backed out and
finally decided to make the dock with the current. No big deal, me
thinks. We should have turned her end for end at the following slack,
but the mate wanted ashore to a restaurant...and you know how that
goes...
The next morning, the current was back. My skull apparently had not
absorbed the lesson of the night before, and I was still determined to
swing the bow out and into the current and get out bow-first. We hung
onto the stern line in the wild belief that we could throttle and pivit
on the stern. A complete rout followed and we ended up pinned against
the empty slot in the cul-de-sac. Fortunately, no personnel or
material damage.
That night we ended up in a similar stern-to a very strong current
docking situation, minus the surrounding boats and short float. Aha,
me thinks, perhaps I should RTFM! I did, and we had a great confidence
building experience the next morning. We rigged a spring from the bow
to an amid-ships cleat on the float, turned the tiller away from the
float, put her in reverse with moderate throttle, and the mate at the
bow released the spring and stood by with a fender. Presto-chango, out
went the stern and we backed smoothly away from the float. Only one
surprise: the combined rudder angle and strong current pushed the stern
out very quickly - she was 70� to the float in no time 'tall. Rather
than reversing engine and turning the bow down-current, as I had
planned, I continued backing and turned the bow through the current.
However, this Plan B probably would not have worked in the original
problem spot because of the space required to turn in one sweep...but
backing straight out would have (given some quick attention to the rate
of turn).
Mark
|
| 1330.21 | a harrowing experience | UNIFIX::BERENS | The Moderator | Mon Jul 06 1992 15:06 | 101 |
| [restored by the Moderator]
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Note 1330.21 learning by experience 21 of 33
OLDTMR::FRANCEY "M/L&CE SECG dtn 223-5427 pko3-1/d1" 91 lines 15-JUN-1992 13:01
-< a harrowing experience >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This note is more than a little embarrassing, it's also humbling, it
comes after lots and lots of thanksgiving and perhaps might help
somebody else out - so that they don't act (sail) as stupidly as I did
this past weekend.
My spouse and I were sailing on Sunday in Casco Bay near Portland
Harbor. We had been having lots of fun "racing" against other larger
boats headed in the same direction we were headed, which was towards a
huge Russian oceanliner anchored just outside Springpoint Lighthouse.
Well, the racing had kind of stopped for awhile (as the other boat
outdistanced us!) and now we were set on coming up the the oceanliner.
The winds were about 15 to 20 nauts. I handed thwe helm to my spouse
and went up to the bow to check for other traffic. I stayed there for
about five minutes and was really enjoying all the boats that were out
on the water, enjoying the wind and the heeling. As we got closer to
the liner, my spouse was having a difficult time holding the line on a
starboard tack which was needed to get behind the liner.
I told her to let the main out and to head down wind. I looked up off
the bow and was unaware that my spouse had put her concentration into
tugging the mainsheet out of the cleat. She lost awareness of the
pointing of the boat and we got caught in a forced and unplanned tack
nearly sweeping me off the bow. I, in fact, had to quickly grab on to
the forestay while the genny blew me off the boat. I swung around to
the other side of the bow and by now the boat was doing about a 180 and
we were quickly heading away from the liner.
Another larger boat that had been riding our stern from a slight
distance came up to us and shouted something about something in the
water near where we had been. At first I thought they were kidding us
about our great skills in seamanship but they kept yelling and pointing
at something about 50 yards away.
I thought they were yelling "Shark" so I looked. I saw what seemed to
be just another harbor seal with its head bobbing up and down so I
yelled back: "Seal???"
And then I heard: "DOG!!!"
Oh, my God, where was Genny, our 13 week old black lab???
My wife and I saw her paddling away for all she was worth and heading
toward the liner some 50 yards from her. My wife instantly jumped into
the dinghy, I handed her the little gas tank and took the helm. She
untied the dinghy, no life jackets, no oars. I let go of the helm, ran
up and tore down the genny and eased my wife off toward our puppy.
The other sailboat came about about 20 yards past the dog, another
power boat had gone up close to the liner and must have spotted the dog
as they turned around. My wife got the motor starded on the dinghy
after about 4 pulls (it usually floods after the third unsuccessful
pull!). I whistled to Genny and called her name. She changed
directions and paddled as much as her little life would let her, now in
our direction.
We both got to her at about the same time and my wife lifted her into
the dinghy. Genny jumped straight into our sailboats cockpit in one
long bound!
We thanked and thanked the people who pointed out that we had a dog
overboard and they said "No problem!". No problem except I feel
criminal! We hardly ever sail in that area and we're ususally fairly
long distance off shore (compared to where the density of pleasure
boats spend most of their time).
The "what iffs" that have flooded my mind since yesterday are more than
my simple brain can imagine. What if darkness, if I also had gone
over, if the motor on the dinghy didn't start and my wife was off
drifting, if she slipped getting into the dinghy, if she was washed
overboard on the dinghy, if she got hurt by the violence of the boat's
action, if the dog drowned, if the dog got run over by an innocent
non-observer's propeller, by our propeller.
Help out a person with no brains. We currently have a leash for the
dog and havn't kept her tethered to the boat as we were afraid of
strangelling (sic ?) her. [So, like we should get a harness??] If we
do get a harness, how do we stop from having her be thrown all around
the boat when something sudden happens?
On Saturday morning, I had checked at a marina on netting which went
for $2.95 a foot. So, I would be looking at about $180 for something
that went about a foot off the deck. What is the right solution? If a
net is correct, how do we fasten it as the toerail has no slots on our
boat?
Soberly and thankfully for the other sailboat being in exactly the
right place and at the right time,
Ron
|
| 1330.22 | | UNIFIX::BERENS | The Moderator | Mon Jul 06 1992 15:06 | 12 |
| [restored by the Moderator]
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Note 1330.22 learning by experience 22 of 33
FSOA::SLIEKER 3 lines 15-JUN-1992 13:34
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You should net the railing and keep a doggy life preserver on the pup.
You should also always be wearing a jacket with a beacon attached when
you leave the cockpit or in rough weather or darkness...
|
| 1330.23 | hold dog-overboard drills? | UNIFIX::BERENS | The Moderator | Mon Jul 06 1992 15:06 | 32 |
| [restored by the Moderator]
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Note 1330.23 learning by experience 23 of 33
MAST::SCHUMANN "We've met the enemy, and he is us!" 22 lines 15-JUN-1992 14:11
-< hold dog-overboard drills? >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ron,
Glad to hear everything turned out ok...
On the netting stuff...
Don't put netting along the whole boat, even if you can afford it. It will
constantly get in your way when handling docklines, etc. You might consider
netting for just the cockpit area, assuming your dog spends most of the
time in the cockpit.
Note that your dog apparently can swim well enough to be rescued under
ordinary circumstances. That implies that you can treat the risk much like
that of any swimming adult going overboard.
The biggest improvement is one you've probably already made: an instinctive
"where's the dog?" whenever anything at all happens on the boat.
If you're seriously worried about losing the dog, get a dog harness, and use
the harness whenever dog retrieval might be difficult, e.g. at night.
--RS
|
| 1330.24 | Pouchy Pals are a must | UNIFIX::BERENS | The Moderator | Mon Jul 06 1992 15:06 | 27 |
| [restored by the Moderator]
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Note 1330.24 learning by experience 24 of 33
HANNAH::SEARS "Paul Sears, DSG1-2/E6, dtn 235-8452" 17 lines 16-JUN-1992 11:56
-< Pouchy Pals are a must >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm glad it turned out alright. My heart jumped when you started the
"dog overboard" thread. We sail with our Golden frequently.
I would suggest a "Pouchy Pal" or some other dog floatation device
(DFD?). We always put one on our dog whenever the condition get the
slighest bit rough. While Sandy can swim much further that either of
us, she would be hard to spot and it could be difficult to come along
side and pick up.
But no matter how you do it, you always have to keep an eye on the dog.
We often leave her with neighbors to get a rest from the constant
dog-sitting; not to mention the constant rows ashore. But the
retrievers love the water, and it is fun to take them along.
don't feel guilty
paul
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| 1330.25 | Thanks for the comments | UNIFIX::BERENS | The Moderator | Mon Jul 06 1992 15:07 | 32 |
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OLDTMR::FRANCEY "M/L&CE SECG dtn 223-5427 pko3-1/d1" 22 lines 16-JUN-1992 14:21
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Thanks very much for your comments. Genny is a real darling and has a
heart of gold - although on that afternoon for about 20 minutes after
she was rescued, any attempt to calm her shaking body by stroking her
got some really mean sounding growls! She must have been a combination
of really being pissed and really being frightened - to almost being in
a state of shock!
The weekends on the boat have been good training for her though. She
hasn't had a bathrooming mistake on the boat in four weeks and that
includes a four-day trip and three Friday evenings thru Sunday
evenings. And now for the first time, she has barked in the morning
yesterday and today to get us to take her out to do her job in the
morning - then she gets to jump up on our bed for the few hours before
we're ready to get up.
Anyways, I think it's time to go out and get some doggie gifts for use
on the boat for this coming weekend.
Regards,
Ron
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| 1330.26 | Cold too.... | UNIFIX::BERENS | The Moderator | Mon Jul 06 1992 15:07 | 22 |
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GAUSS::FGZ "Federico Genoese-Zerbi -- Flamingo 2D D" 12 lines 16-JUN-1992 15:25
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> Thanks very much for your comments. Genny is a real darling and has a
> heart of gold - although on that afternoon for about 20 minutes after
> she was rescued, any attempt to calm her shaking body by stroking her
> got some really mean sounding growls! She must have been a combination
> of really being pissed and really being frightened - to almost being in
> a state of shock!
With the sea water around 50 F these days, and given that she's real young,
she probably lost some core heat as well...If this happens again you
may want to wrap her in a blanket (if she lets you).
F.
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| 1330.27 | We all goof up | UNIFIX::BERENS | The Moderator | Mon Jul 06 1992 15:07 | 36 |
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SALEM::GILMAN 26 lines 19-JUN-1992 11:46
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I was in Portland Harbor Sat and looked over the Russian Liner. Quite
a sight wasn't she?
I can sure relate to your problems with the unexpected tack. Murphy
sure works overtime on the water. With close quarters, lots of boats
around, a liner near you and a dog aboard there is LOTS that can go
wrong as you sure found out. I don't see any glaring errors that you
made. Room for improvements with the net and life jacket on the dog
in the future, but I assure you all of us who sail have been in
situtations where our own 'stupidity' haunts us later. Thats how
you learn... by doing your best and adapting when you find you made
errors.
A few weeks ago I cut across the bow of a Boston Whaler which was
some distance away. We were in a no wake zone and he was going MUCH
faster than I thought he was, hell, we were in a no wake zone after
all. He must have been doing 25 knots. It was close, not that close
but close. I kicked myself for setting myself up for an accident, I
shouldn't have assumed he WASN'T going like hell. So I know how you
feel. Another time I will make sure the other boat IS going slowly
before cutting across like that.
I suggest you make the improvments and stop kicking yourself for this,
Jeff
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| 1330.28 | now on being more careful | UNIFIX::BERENS | The Moderator | Mon Jul 06 1992 15:07 | 33 |
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OLDTMR::FRANCEY "M/L&CE SECG dtn 223-5427 pko3-1/d1" 23 lines 22-JUN-1992 14:15
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Thanks for your comments. This past weekend we went Friday night to
Jewell getting there about 1:00am. Genny faired much better as we
anchored in thick fog for the rest of the weekend. I'm just amazed at
how she still loves to jump into the dinghy from land and then jump up
onto the Yin Yang.
We took her for several swims, increasing the length of each swim. We
nudge her over the side of the dinghy and then motor just a little bit
in front of her (so as to not chop off her legs and or nose!).
She was tethered in on the trips to/from Jewell.
I feel a lot better about myself now that a week has gone by and hope
that I have learned an unforgetable lesson. Now I have to figure out
how to stop the pup from swallowing 2 inch rocks, crab legs and those
green spiny looking soft shells (whatever they are).
I am just so relieved that nothing happened during that other weekend.
Regards,
Ron
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| 1330.29 | Instincts | UNIFIX::BERENS | The Moderator | Mon Jul 06 1992 15:07 | 36 |
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SALEM::GILMAN 26 lines 22-JUN-1992 14:48
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What is Jewell Is. like now? Is it ok to go ashore? Do you need
permission? I believe there are forts on the Is? Can you go in
those or are they posted and cemented closed? What is the landing
like, dock, rocky beach, sandy beach or what?
Glad you got back on the horse. Fog huh? Guess I picked a good
weekend for Casco Bay last week rather than this week.
About five years ago my wife and I rented a bareboat 22 footer
in Penobscot Bay. It was Summer and we anchored in front of a
sand bar which was out of water at low tide and under at mid tide
and higher. It was late in the day and a bit windy from the N.E.
We were anchored in a horseshoe shaped cove with the bar forming
the third side of the U. My wife likes secluded spots. I wanted
to move as the wind was INTO the U, and I didn't like the feel of
the weather. If it came up we would find ourselves being blown on
tothe bar in the middle of the night.
I decided as "Capt'" we would move. So we motored over to a near
by island and fortunately were invited to use a guest mooring for
the night. Good thing we did. It blew like HELL all night!!! Right
from the N.E. Would have put us on the bar for SURE had we stayed
in that cove. I learned a lesson with that one: TRUST your six sense
and instincts! They save us that time.
Jeff
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| 1330.30 | the EXPERIENCE of Jewell | UNIFIX::BERENS | The Moderator | Mon Jul 06 1992 15:07 | 69 |
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OLDTMR::FRANCEY "M/L&CE SECG dtn 223-5427 pko3-1/d1" 59 lines 22-JUN-1992 16:39
-< the "experience" of Jewell >-
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Jewell Is. is a great little place and is very well-known by the
international crowd. As it is about 8 miles from Portland and 5.4 nm
to Falmouth Foreside and has pretty dood protection from all but a NW
wind, it's a great little hole.
Part of the fun is learning all the tales about Jewell and then passing
them on - like about Jewel(l) and pirate sneak cove from which they
launched their attack against unknowing passers-by and about the buried
"Jewels" (actually, Jewell was a person).
Yes, there a two forts built during Indian attack periods, then updated
during WWI and again for WWII. The island is for visitors and is
maintained by the Maine Parks and Recreation Committee. The towers can
be climbed to the top via some hand-strewn wooden tree beams - be
careful and bring lots of mosquito repellent!!!
For the first time (just last week) outhouses now exist on the Island.
A notice asks for volunteers for a "Stewardship" event. You pick what
you might like to do for the Island and notify the P&R Committee.
On Friday night we were the third boat. One boat was from England ( a
38 foot sloop) with four people aboard. The boat is called the
"Fondue". The husband (two couples aboard) and two sons sailed it on a
southerly trip via the Bahamas to the Keys last June! The spouse and
the other couple flew over and the brothers flew home. Now the group
is heading to Nova Scotia to get ready for a North Atlantic trip back
home.
They were very friendly and shared some of their "stories", talked with
my spouse and I about th eir instrumentation and general safety things.
I was surprised that a 38' boat would be doing such a trip.
We offered to escort them to Falmouth Foreside in the fog and to let
them use our car to explore Portland, etc. but they said they were
going off to Bath. They left for about a half hour and decided to come
back due to the fog. I kidded with them that they must have been going
"for" a bath rather than "to" Bath.
Anyway, people often camp on the island. In fact two parties did so
this weekend. One is there by himself for a week with a tent in the
"punch bowl" side of the island. He has a power boat and a kiyak.
The other group had about 9 people in two tents.
There is one mooring (which so far this season has a phantom infaltable
on it) and which has no known weight dimensions! There are two
individual pilingsm one which is submerged on high tide! and the other
which we grabbed for the weekend. Anchorage exists for 30 to 50 boats
and is pretty much sand and mud bottom.
Last year we saw a most spectacular aurora borealis - ah, the beauty.
And yes, last year we awoke at three am during a wild storm to hear
several CH choppers and huge CG rescue cutters searching the night long
for a person overboard - to no avail - and yes, the tragedy, sigh.
Regards,
Ron
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| 1330.31 | Jewell | UNIFIX::BERENS | The Moderator | Mon Jul 06 1992 15:07 | 29 |
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SALEM::GILMAN 19 lines 23-JUN-1992 11:58
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Interesting story Ron. Sounds as if my family and I should plan a trip
to Jewell. We have explored the forts on Cushings' at length. We
used to rent a summer place on the Is. so had easy access. Now, since
we aren't renting we must get permission to land on the island.
The family sailing the Atlantic with their boys doesn't strike me as
that unusual in a 38'er. With a well designed boat, a competent crew
and decent Summer weather its quite doable. BUT its not for just
anybody, thats for sure! With Murphy working ovetime on the ocean
that trip is not for the faint of heart thats for sure.
Glad you and they were so friendly... good international relations.
I can relate to not choosing to deal with a heavy fog on coastal Maine
when a layover day could bring a clear following day. Then on the
otherhand they could have sat at Jewell for a week and still not had
the fog lift!
Jeff
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| 1330.32 | See 1704 for sailing dog tips | UNIFIX::BERENS | The Moderator | Mon Jul 06 1992 15:07 | 26 |
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SQM::FENNELLY 16 lines 24-JUN-1992 11:58
-< See 1704 for sailing dog tips >-
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Ron, with regard to sailing with dogs, also see Note #1704.
We have a black lab we sail with named Jib (male couterpart
to your Genny I think :-)). It's not always easy, especially
now that he is full-grown. The bathroom stuff is probably the
biggest pain because I don't believe in making dogs hold it
for 12 and 13 hours (I couldn't!). He will go on board on a
special mat up on the bow if he absolutely has to but he
detests it (too well trained to be keen on going in what is
basically his home at sea), so we do the humane thing and
take him ashore whenever possible.
Anyway, enjoy having Genny aboard - they do add a whole new
dimension.
Kathy
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| 1330.33 | really, JIB? | UNIFIX::BERENS | The Moderator | Mon Jul 06 1992 15:07 | 22 |
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OLDTMR::FRANCEY "M/L&CE SECG dtn 223-5427 pko3-1/d1" 12 lines 24-JUN-1992 15:07
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Kathy,
Well, I really cannot believe it - "Jib" :-)
And I thought I was pushing it just a bit. It's fun, isn't it?
Thanks for the tip on 1704.
Regards,
Ron
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| 1330.34 | Inexpensive method of containment | DPDMAI::CLEVELAND | Grounded on The Rock | Thu Jul 16 1992 20:22 | 26 |
| Ron,
I rigged up a "doggie" Jack line and netting very inexpensively on my
36 footer. I purchased netting, not at a boat store, but a shop that
makes shrimp nets. I paid $6.50/lb, yes pound, not foot. The heavier
the net, the less feet you get. I measured out a piece 32 feet long
that was 16feet wide and paid about $40.00 for it, cut it into 4, 4
foot widths and completely netted my entire boat and bowsprit. I then
went to an army surplus store and bought the 3/4in wide flat nylon
webbing for 4 cents/ft and made jacklines for the dog. Since we have
both a dog lifevest and a harness (harness can be purchased at Petco or
equivalent type of pet store) I choose which to put on her (weather and
water dependant). I took a $3.00 nylon leash and a $5.00 Caribeener
(also bought from army store) and clip her in. She now has the full
run of the deck, probably couldn't fall off even if she wasn't
harnessed in (but my wife and I feel better about both) and has the run
of the deck. Total Investment for all minus the lifejacket and harness
was $48.00.
We sail primarily in the Gulf of Mexico, where the wind really kicks up
a nasty chop when it begins to blow. The arrangement works well and
runs from the beginning of the bowsprit to our stern pulpit on both
sides of the boat.
Hope this helps someone else out!
Robert
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| 1330.35 | What are the downsides of .-1? | OLDTMR::FRANCEY | M/L&CE SECG dtn 223-5427 pko3-1/d18 | Fri Jul 17 1992 11:59 | 10 |
| re .-1
Your solution sounds pretty good. How do you get the dog on/off the
boat? Our dog does that on her own currently. What are the
ramifications for docking/mooring/anchoring?
Regards,
Ron
|
| 1330.36 | Few downsides | DPDMAI::CLEVELAND | Grounded on The Rock | Mon Aug 03 1992 17:34 | 22 |
| Ron,
Our dog weighs 18lbs and is a schipperke, so she's reasonably compact.
Our boat has an opening thats approx 30" wide (proper name escapes me
now) that you undo the lifelines to step in and out of the boat. We
just open up the lines and step in/out with her in our arms or pass her
up into it when in the dink.
No problem with docking/mooring/anchoring. If we fear she will be in
the way, we simply put in in the cockpit or down below until the
maneuver is over. Most of the time she will stay topside and stays out
of the way.
The only downside to the method is the loss of ease of getting your
anchor lines in/out under the netting and running your jib sheets
quickly. Once rigged, you need to find the spot required for your jib
sheets (especially if smaller netting is used) and put your sheet
through that point or enlarge it some for easier access under duress.
Regards,
Robert
|
| 1330.37 | a hard lesson that was unnecessary | MASTR::BERENS | Alan Berens | Wed Jun 02 1993 12:47 | 37 |
| Here is another example of learing by experience. From the 1 June 1993
Boston Globe:
================================================================================
Conn. sailor abandons ocean crossing
New London, Conn. -- A pleasure sailor's dream of sailing the Atlantic
Ocean was scuttled after just three days by 9-foot waves, overcast skies
and a generator wired backward.
"I went out there for the experience, to see what it's like," said Roy
O. Bredefeld, 57, of Middletown. "I know what it's like now: 9-foot
seas, 10-foot seas. You've got to tie yourself down with lines so so
don't bounce out [of] your bunk, with waves crashing over you."
Bredefeld launched his 27-foot sloop in New London May 23, heading for
Plymouth, England.
But by the third day he was seasick, and couldn't navigate by the stars
as he had planned. His mainsail jammed, and backward generator wiring
prevented him from charging his radio batteries.
"I was crying. I was depressed. I was panicked," Bredefeld said from
Nantucket, where he arrived Thursday.
================================================================================
While I feel sorry for the fellow that his dream fell apart, I am
appalled by his naivete and lack of knowledge and preparation. Just a
little reading would have given him some insight about what to expect and
would given him some clues about preparing his boat (eg, bunk leecloths).
He is lucky that he ran into somewhat rough weather sooner rather than
later, say several hundred miles out. At least us taxpayers didn't have
to pay for a Coast Guard search and rescue mission.
Alan
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| 1330.38 | Knowledge | SALEM::GILMAN | | Fri Jun 04 1993 12:54 | 21 |
| There is nothing like an offshore 'jaunt' in a relatively small boat to
give one a true appreciation for the power and size of the ocean. He
is lucky he recognized his inability to cope with it and turned back
immediately.
I wonder that a 'backwards wired' generators didn't get caught in a
shakedown cruise, or maybe there WASN'T a shakedown cruise.
It seems to me that the less a boat requires electricity to maintain
a safe seaworthy boat the better off the owner is. I have heard of
more cases where electrical breakdowns have caused major problems.
Often the owner/operator goes 'out there' heavily dependant on
electricity for navigation, pumps, safety etc. with little or no knowledge
about how to do simple electrical repairs....i.e. opens, shorts,
grounds, blown fuses in 12 or 24 volt power wiring systems.
When you go 'out there' offshore you had BEST have a good working
knowledge of all working systems of your boat! The shipyard can be
a long way away against an offshore wind!
Jeff
|
| 1330.39 | ****-head | RDGENG::BEVAN | | Fri Jun 04 1993 13:14 | 6 |
|
WFM ........
Steve
|
| 1330.40 | ? | SALEM::GILMAN | | Fri Jun 04 1993 15:21 | 1 |
| re .39 ?
|
| 1330.41 | | OTOOA::MOWBRAY | This isn't a job its an Adventure | Sun Jun 06 1993 08:43 | 17 |
| This discussion sort of put me in mind of a true story that I heard
about 2 years ago. There was a guy who had seen all these people who
"do" the Atalntic in 6 foot boats or who paddle across etc. he decided
that the best thing to do would be to row it himself. With much press
fanfare he left Halifax on his much vaunted attempt to row the Atlantic
in record time.
It took less than 10 hours for him to call for help ! When he got to
the mouth of the harbour and found that he was in 3-4 meter seas he
said to himself "No way".
The really interesting part of this, and I swear it is true, is that
whne he got back on land one of the reporters said "didn't you expect
to see big swells out there ?", our hero said "not really" the reporter
(now puzzled) said "tell me how it was that you prepared for this trip"
the hero ..... "every night for over a year I sat in front of my TV on
my rowing machine and rowed for 8 hours" !
|
| 1330.42 | ;^( | RDGENG::BEVAN | | Mon Jun 07 1993 05:33 | 9 |
|
-1
I don't have too much sympathy for this guy. He's a menace
and a danger to others.
WFM=words fail me.
|
| 1330.43 | There are lots of them out there... | AKO539::KALINOWSKI | | Mon Jun 07 1993 10:39 | 36 |
| Article in the globe Sunday about a guy who wants to cross the Atlantic in
a 5'6" boat. The CG has told him his boat does not pass muster. The
guy was mad, but the CG said they don't care if someone wants to commit
suicide, but they don't like to spend money trying to find fools in the
Atlantic.
The guy plans to us Canada if he get shut down in the US.
Another true story.
Many years ago my wife and I were planning to purchase our first boat,
so we took a USCG safe boating course. We were into the section on
the Coastal Waterway system and the various types of bouys.
Some old timer asked how come there are no bouys going East to West from
the New England area. The instructor said because the water is too
deep to anchor bouys.
The instructor then asked why did he want to know such things to which the
mariner replied that he and wife wanted go to England now that they
were retired.
The instructor inquired as to what kind of a boat did he plan to use
for such a trip to which the retiree said his 40 foot power boat.
The instructor than asked "where do expect to get gas in the middle of
the ocean?"
The salt looked at the instructor, then his wife. The wife looked at
the instructor and then proceded to whack her spouse with her handbag
yelling "You idiot!"
Darn near pissed my pants laughing.
john
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| 1330.44 | The hard way to learn about fog | AKO539::KALINOWSKI | | Wed Aug 18 1993 16:53 | 118 |
|
One of the gang over here in Acton had a rather bad experience with
fog last weekend and thought their problems might help others.
Note:
the names have been deleted to protect the inocent
this was not my boat (exact make and model though)
the boat had no loran or radar, it was a Boston Sailing P-26
John,
Dave thought my mail to him made good reading, and suggested I have you
strip this header off, make it anonymous and put this in the Sailing notes
conference under the "learning by experience" topic, if you agree with him,
go ahead, its ok with me, it was certainly an interesting experience for
me.
***************************
Note from a novice sailor...about Fog...
Yes, my Sunday tale was decidedly eventful, we (Capatain Bob & crew of 3)
were headed on a leisurely sail out of Boston Harbor on Sunday towards the
Graves on a 26' Pearson. We planned on going around the Graves, down the
coast a short stretch and coming back in the south channel. Marvelous
weather, sun and plenty of wind for an almost effortless run out of the
inner harbor.
We decided to stop in the outer channel and anchor on the west side of
Long Island around 2:15 for a quiet lunch and to watch a tall ship come in
that I had spotted out past the Graves as we approached the island. In
fact, when I spotted the ship, I commented on the fact that it appeared
hazy out there, we thought no more about it and prepared and ate our lunch.
The ship never came in.....first tip, then we noticed about 2:45 that it
was getting hazy over towards Deer Island, the anerobic digesters were sort
of disappearing into the mist.....mist, oops....thats fog starting to form!
Captain Bob immediately had us novice sailors haul anchor and we headed out
to the closest Buoy to get our bearings and start in. As we reached Buoy
#1, the fog got much thicker, (no Loran), our inexperienced navigator
searched our harbor chart and set the course to Buoy #3, we passed within
25' of it....Good course, the fog was now getting to be the traditional pea
soup variety that the harbor is famous for. Our navigator, heartened by
his first navigational success in fog set a quick course to buoy #5, the
gods were with him...we passed within 20' of buoy #5.
The boat traffic had been heavy all day, and it was getting heavier as
virtually everyone who had gone out attempted to find their way back in at
the same time. My job was watching for boats coming at us and for channel
markers. It was a scary job, the first I would see of these boats was when
they emerged from the fog, usually less then 30 feet from us, several came
real close, people were actually still coming out of the channel towards
us, these crazy people still desired to go out to sea!
Our Navigator was on a roll, as we passed buoy #5 he set our Captain on a
300 degree course to buoy #7. The boat traffic increased as we neared the
target, then the object of our search popped out of the fog about 30' to
our RIGHT........there it is I said, pointing to my right......egads,
aren't we supposed to pass these on our left I asked. Before any of us had
time to even consider the ramifications of this development we felt that
sickening crunching sound and the Pearson shuddered and came to a stop as
it slid onto the rocks.
First assessment; there were 5 boats within 30' of us on both sides of the
buoy, all still underway. As we watched, a large cabin cruiser type boat
headed out of the inner channel, loaded with small children, slid up on the
rocks in front of us about 40', we could just see them in the fog, further
to the left, 50' or so a 41' twin masted ketch that had been trying to come
out of the south channel into the main channel slid up onto the rocks with
a loud crunch. The fog must have reached maximum density about that time,
because both of these boats grounded within about 5 minutes of us.
Our boat was in good shape, still standing upright, and only making
crunching noises when hit with wake.....the tide was still going
out....all the lost boats passing around us made this misadventure really
scary, we figured that as close as we were to the buoy we were going to get
run over. We called the Coast Guard, gave our location and requested a
tow. We tried various things to get it off the rocks, but it became
apparent that it wasn't going to cooperate.
45 minutes later the Coast Guard showed up, they stayed on the seaward side
of the buoy and took stock of all the boats on the rocks, the fog was very
thick at that point, visibility less then 50'. Another 41' sail boat ran
aground somewhere else and was taking on water, a motor boat capsized further
out the south channel and there were people in the water, the Coast Guard
didn't stay around long, they asked us if we were taking on water, we said
no, and they left the tow boat with us and moved on.
The Tow boat off loaded us, put a line on the front of our boat and pulled
it around and off the rocks. Once freed of our combined weight, it ground
twice on the rocks, and then popped free. It then resembled a very large
puppy dog on the end of a 30' leash, bobbing all around and trying to jump
on us. after a couple of harrowing moments the tow guys secured it
alongside their boat, let us reboard, and towed us back out to the center
of the channel, providing us with yet another thrill as one of the harbor
tour boats popped out of the fog about 60' to our left, aimed dead center
at us and the tow boat. It quickly turned to its right and went behind us
as our adrenaline surged.
These nice men charged us $10. per foot for the tow, took us back in the
channel and within view of Castle Island, pointed us into the inner channel
and let us go. Yup, $260.00 bucks and worth every penny of it. They told
us when it fogs up like that they go out and hang around in the outer
harbor and wait.....thats how they make their money.
So, that was my Sunday afternoon, we were back on the mooring by 5:00, and
until we got back in past the new tunnel barges we couldn't see either side
of the harbor, the fog was still extremely thick. What a day.
And you guys do this for relaxation?
What a trip, can't wait to go back out......yup I haven't got any brains
either!
-someone who learned a lot on Sunday afternoon
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| 1330.45 | ahhhh, baaaaaaah haaaaaba | DLO15::FRANCEY | | Wed Aug 18 1993 18:39 | 7 |
| Hey! Is Mike Thompson out there??? If so; why don't YOU tell it!
:-)
ps: and all of a sudden there were THREE captains on board - all
calling out orders!
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| 1330.46 | Playing in FOG | FSOA::CARVER | | Mon Aug 30 1993 14:01 | 14 |
| Note .43 brought back all the questions we were asking ourselves as
we motor-sailed through the fog towards Plymouth on our 1st vacation
travel day. We could not BELIEVE or understand how people can be
so non-chalant in such a dangerous environment as fog.
Between the power boats blasting along who-knows-where, the tourist
boats, and the die-hard sailors just obviously out for a sail, its no
wonder more people don't get hurt.
This was our first real serious experience in fog, and we certainly did
not enjoy it. Thank goodness for Loran, navigational skills, lots of
luck, and a STIFF DRINK when we finally arrived in Plymouth.
JC
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| 1330.47 | A series of screwups.... | MCS873::KALINOWSKI | | Mon Dec 11 1995 12:56 | 15 |
| With my internal clocks screwed up, I was up LATE last night. About
2am, one of the local boston stations had a show on called Coast Guard
which looks like a knock off of COPS or 911.
Interesting show to see how people can really screw up. More
importantly, the show interviews the CG personnel who say what they
were up to, which may not be what you would think at the time you need them.
(ie: it is better to keep your ship moving into the wind while a chopper
lowers a line, as it is easier for them to hold their course).
Not as good as the series done in Southern Cal a couple of years ago,
but interesting. For normal viewing, I'd suggest you learn that VCR
recording sequence once and for all.... ;>)
john
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| 1330.48 | more screwups... | ACISS2::GELO | | Tue Dec 12 1995 13:20 | 33 |
| On Sunday, November 19th about 5:00 P.M., a small plane crashed in Lake
Erie. Two of the five people aboard lived, thanks to a couple of DEC
employees (I think it is worth mentioning their names - Don Ellison
from CLO and John straus from CSO). Anyway, I'm told that when these
guys saw the plane go down, they contacted the Coast Guard (located
just a couple miles from the site) and rushed to help.
Turns out they had to call several times for help. The Coast Guard had
no sense of urgency, and wouldn't even take the waypoint of the downed
plane. My friends went into a firey mess, pulled one guy aboard their
boat, and had to hold the other (he has both legs broken, and is a big
guy - all they could do was hold him by the boat. At the time, the
water temp was about 50 degrees.
When the Coast Guard arrived, they almost killed the guy in the water.
They almost bumped their 41 foot cutter into my friend's boat, and had
to be pushed-off to keep from smashing the guy. According to Don, the
Coast Guard was totally disorganized. THEY were taking direction from
Don and John (both ex-marines, and loving it). After the CG got the
survivors aboard, they headed for shore. Don and John went around
picking up whatever they could see that was floating (mostly luggage),
and when they took these items to the CG, no one knew what to do with
it.
I'm told that this CG station is due to be shut down soon, which might
account for the incompetance (sp?), but I was shocked as you might be
reading this account. During the ordeal, the CG out of Detriot sent a
helicopter to try to locate the other 3 people, but by the time they
arrived it was too dark to see. I was told that the helicopter crew
worked as one would expect the CG to perform.
As it turned out, there would be no survivors if it weren't for these
two heros.
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| 1330.49 | engine fires in San Diego | STARCH::HAGERMAN | Flames to /dev/null | Tue Dec 12 1995 14:06 | 4 |
| Last week there were two engine fires on boats in San Diego harbor. In
both cases the fires were put out by a combination effort between the
city fire department and the Coast Guard. Obviously there's a big CG
presence in San Diego.
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| 1330.50 | No problem here | MCS873::KALINOWSKI | | Tue Dec 12 1995 17:21 | 15 |
| RE .1 Got to agree
I have a friend who has a complete photo book of his butt being saved
by the CG via helicopter. Friends were 2 miles away when the his
rigging let go as he tried to beat out a squall. So they shot the
photos along with a newpaper reporter from shore.
Here in Mass, we have pretty good coverage. It really depends
upon where you are in proximity to them. I am starting to get nervious
about the distance between stations though. Go out during a good blow
and watch those poor S.O.B.s racing around trying to save 2 dozen
ill-prepared morons out there. Can't image the delays when all these
sites get closed down. I just pray the dingbats who call in crank calls
wise up or get nailed to a cross as an example.
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