Have you ever sailed in fog? Just how disorienting was it? What was your strategy to deal with it? Did you keep the sails up to be able to hear? Shorten sail? Douse sails totally and fire up the engine? Use your own fog horn? How about navigation? Did you have electronic navigation and/or radar to guide you along? Or were you dependent on dead reckoning, the sounds of bell and gong buoys or fog horns, or the depth contours on your chart combined with your depth sounder? Would you be comfortable doing this again or was this a 'I hope it never happens to me again' kind of experience? Share your foggy memories here and be sure to vote in the Quick Quiz at the bottom of the home page. (Quiz contributed by Gary Wyngarden)
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Worst Time....
Sailed a few times in fog but usually motor because of a lack of wind. Use radar reflectors, radar, GPS, and a loud hailer for the fog horn as well as a listening device. The horn of the loudhailer can pick up sounds and amplify them back to the hailer. Keep air horn at the ready. Last summer in Sumner Strait north of Prince of Wales Island, in a heavily trafficked area and in pea soup fog, there was a problem with the radar. There were targets that developed that weren't repeatable. They would be one place and then in another place. The situation gradually worsened and I couldn't figure out what the problem was. My wife was having problems with the GPS and it wouldn't give proper data. Then the autohelm wouldn't keep a course. This was not the time and place for these kinds of problems. Using our last known position, the compass, and paper charts we steered toward the side of the channel for Red Bay, one of the only places in southeast Alaska that I didn't have a detailed chart and it's loaded with rocks. We finally figured out if the GPS was on batteries it would work. Got to a place which was shallow enough for the anchor to set (over 425 feet of rode and chain) so I could trouble shoot the system. Using the digital Fluke (can't have too many tools along) I located a poor connection to the middle row of breakers. The positive wire from the first breaker row to the second breaker row had a loose screw. Once that was tightened everything worked fine. Shortly after fixing the problem the fog burned off and it was a beautiful SE Alaska day! http://www.c-map.no/access/quickref_cf85.asp?quickrefID=SAN
Sailed a few times in fog but usually motor because of a lack of wind. Use radar reflectors, radar, GPS, and a loud hailer for the fog horn as well as a listening device. The horn of the loudhailer can pick up sounds and amplify them back to the hailer. Keep air horn at the ready. Last summer in Sumner Strait north of Prince of Wales Island, in a heavily trafficked area and in pea soup fog, there was a problem with the radar. There were targets that developed that weren't repeatable. They would be one place and then in another place. The situation gradually worsened and I couldn't figure out what the problem was. My wife was having problems with the GPS and it wouldn't give proper data. Then the autohelm wouldn't keep a course. This was not the time and place for these kinds of problems. Using our last known position, the compass, and paper charts we steered toward the side of the channel for Red Bay, one of the only places in southeast Alaska that I didn't have a detailed chart and it's loaded with rocks. We finally figured out if the GPS was on batteries it would work. Got to a place which was shallow enough for the anchor to set (over 425 feet of rode and chain) so I could trouble shoot the system. Using the digital Fluke (can't have too many tools along) I located a poor connection to the middle row of breakers. The positive wire from the first breaker row to the second breaker row had a loose screw. Once that was tightened everything worked fine. Shortly after fixing the problem the fog burned off and it was a beautiful SE Alaska day! http://www.c-map.no/access/quickref_cf85.asp?quickrefID=SAN
Fog only down to about 1/4 mile...
for a short time and it wasn't that bad. I did get caught in a squall which was a whiteout situation. I didn't want to slow down to maintain steerage with the strong gusty winds and with everything going on around me I lost my bearing and almost put the boat on the beach at Naval Air Station Jacksonville!
for a short time and it wasn't that bad. I did get caught in a squall which was a whiteout situation. I didn't want to slow down to maintain steerage with the strong gusty winds and with everything going on around me I lost my bearing and almost put the boat on the beach at Naval Air Station Jacksonville!
find a buoy
While I have encountered thick fog several times, I usually prefer sailing just to be able to hear other boats. Once while in Buzzards Bay and an inoperable engine, we lost wind and with thick fog rolling in, felt we were safer tying up onto a large navigation buoy rather than drifting into the path of a passing ship. We had passed the buoy before losing air and then drifted back with the current, had to paddle to reach it. When the Coast Guard was adament that we leave the buoy (I wouldn't because at least I knew where we were), a kind powerboater came out and towed us back into one of the Elizabeth Islands. The fog so thick, we could not even see the boat towing us! They said "drop your anchor here" and the next morning woke up in a beautiful small anchorage surrounded by boats. I never got the chance to thank those kind souls for the extrodinary effort they made to come out, locate and retrieve us.
While I have encountered thick fog several times, I usually prefer sailing just to be able to hear other boats. Once while in Buzzards Bay and an inoperable engine, we lost wind and with thick fog rolling in, felt we were safer tying up onto a large navigation buoy rather than drifting into the path of a passing ship. We had passed the buoy before losing air and then drifted back with the current, had to paddle to reach it. When the Coast Guard was adament that we leave the buoy (I wouldn't because at least I knew where we were), a kind powerboater came out and towed us back into one of the Elizabeth Islands. The fog so thick, we could not even see the boat towing us! They said "drop your anchor here" and the next morning woke up in a beautiful small anchorage surrounded by boats. I never got the chance to thank those kind souls for the extrodinary effort they made to come out, locate and retrieve us.
foggy ways
We've sailed in fog in all situations. Years ago on our O'day 25 we would sail in pea soup with just a chart , compass, and depth and speed gauge. When it really socks in we would motor slowly and listen for sound of surf on rocks, bells, horns etc. Not comfortable, but we always made our port. When we moved to an O'Day 32 we added a loran, and now recently a chart plotting GPS and radar. We motor when in close quarters like moving up a channel, or if in open water we will sail. Radar reflector is always up because the big fear is not being lost, but other boats. Radar is a big confidence booster because you can see them coming and make your presence known. There's nothing like thick fog to disorientate you. Sometimes it's very hard to believe your compass but I have learned that fog is not a magnetic anomoly and one's compass does still point north even in the thickest fog. Bill
We've sailed in fog in all situations. Years ago on our O'day 25 we would sail in pea soup with just a chart , compass, and depth and speed gauge. When it really socks in we would motor slowly and listen for sound of surf on rocks, bells, horns etc. Not comfortable, but we always made our port. When we moved to an O'Day 32 we added a loran, and now recently a chart plotting GPS and radar. We motor when in close quarters like moving up a channel, or if in open water we will sail. Radar reflector is always up because the big fear is not being lost, but other boats. Radar is a big confidence booster because you can see them coming and make your presence known. There's nothing like thick fog to disorientate you. Sometimes it's very hard to believe your compass but I have learned that fog is not a magnetic anomoly and one's compass does still point north even in the thickest fog. Bill
Tied to a bouy - NO NO NO
Back in the 70's a boat called the Karen Lee tied to a bouy in Long Island sound in the fog. A tug pulling a barge passed by. The tow line caught the Karen Lee and pulled her to the bottom...everyone lost. Bouys are aids to navigation. Commercial and pleasure craft usally pass by them closely...especially in fog. The Coast Guard was abosolutely correct by demanding that you leave. Sorry for the lecture, but I think it is for your own good.
Back in the 70's a boat called the Karen Lee tied to a bouy in Long Island sound in the fog. A tug pulling a barge passed by. The tow line caught the Karen Lee and pulled her to the bottom...everyone lost. Bouys are aids to navigation. Commercial and pleasure craft usally pass by them closely...especially in fog. The Coast Guard was abosolutely correct by demanding that you leave. Sorry for the lecture, but I think it is for your own good.
In The Fog
Sailing the north shore of Lake Superior, especially in July, frequently means fog. Our personal longest stretch is nine days in a row. There is a local custom, which seems to work for us. Everybody (hopefully) gets on the radio about every 30 minutes, and identifies their boat, transmitting location, bearing, speed, and final destination. We do our navigation with a combination of chartplotter, paper charts, depth sounder, and dead reckoning. We are also certain to have a fog horn very handy in the cockpit. Usually wind and fog don't coexist, but if they do, we keep sailing at a speed that is appropriate for the conditions. As usual, prudent seamanship is the rule- stay within the boundaries of your ability, and when in doubt go slow. We've also noticed that most boats seem to travel about two miles offshore, so we try to stay out four to five miles.
Sailing the north shore of Lake Superior, especially in July, frequently means fog. Our personal longest stretch is nine days in a row. There is a local custom, which seems to work for us. Everybody (hopefully) gets on the radio about every 30 minutes, and identifies their boat, transmitting location, bearing, speed, and final destination. We do our navigation with a combination of chartplotter, paper charts, depth sounder, and dead reckoning. We are also certain to have a fog horn very handy in the cockpit. Usually wind and fog don't coexist, but if they do, we keep sailing at a speed that is appropriate for the conditions. As usual, prudent seamanship is the rule- stay within the boundaries of your ability, and when in doubt go slow. We've also noticed that most boats seem to travel about two miles offshore, so we try to stay out four to five miles.
Fog on Long Island Sound
Rain and Fog brought visibility down to a couple hundred yards while heading east in Long Island Sound. The winds were at approximately 12 knots out of the NE. We shorten sail to just a full main and using a handheld GPS made for a line of bouys that was out of the shipping lane, away from most of the lobster pots, and approximately 1.0 mile offshore. The bouys were about 1.5 miles apart. We ran then from bouy to bouy using the GPS and chart. A manual fog horn and bell was sounded on as much of a regular basis as we could. We took our time and mostly enjoyed the wet trip.
Rain and Fog brought visibility down to a couple hundred yards while heading east in Long Island Sound. The winds were at approximately 12 knots out of the NE. We shorten sail to just a full main and using a handheld GPS made for a line of bouys that was out of the shipping lane, away from most of the lobster pots, and approximately 1.0 mile offshore. The bouys were about 1.5 miles apart. We ran then from bouy to bouy using the GPS and chart. A manual fog horn and bell was sounded on as much of a regular basis as we could. We took our time and mostly enjoyed the wet trip.
From Hessel to Mackinaw Isle.
Although my son owns a 302 (his 5th O'Day), my foggy experience occured on a 32'GaffRigged Ketch, some 23 years ago. As we pulled away from the dock at Hessel, the heaviest fog I've ever seen closed in, with no wind. My navigator, John Lambert, kept giving me headings from bouy to bouy until we got out of the harbor channel. With the fog so thick, we could hardly see the bow of the boat, we missed sighting number one bouy so assuming a position, we struck a heading for the bell bouy just off of Mackinaw Island, blowing our fog horn on the wayand cutting our engine periodicaly to listen for any traffic that may be present. Logging our time and speed, when we determined an ETA at the bell bouy, we cut the engine to listen for it - as we coasted under dead stick (this, you won't believe) the fog lifted and dead ahead was our marker. What do I think of sailing in the fog? - I don't look forward to repeating that experience!
Although my son owns a 302 (his 5th O'Day), my foggy experience occured on a 32'GaffRigged Ketch, some 23 years ago. As we pulled away from the dock at Hessel, the heaviest fog I've ever seen closed in, with no wind. My navigator, John Lambert, kept giving me headings from bouy to bouy until we got out of the harbor channel. With the fog so thick, we could hardly see the bow of the boat, we missed sighting number one bouy so assuming a position, we struck a heading for the bell bouy just off of Mackinaw Island, blowing our fog horn on the wayand cutting our engine periodicaly to listen for any traffic that may be present. Logging our time and speed, when we determined an ETA at the bell bouy, we cut the engine to listen for it - as we coasted under dead stick (this, you won't believe) the fog lifted and dead ahead was our marker. What do I think of sailing in the fog? - I don't look forward to repeating that experience!
A Near Miss
Just wanted to say, even with all of the modern conveniences added to the "Eyes of the Ship" (look-outs)where visibility just "isn't," going through an anchorage on the Delaware River on board a U S Navy, FFG (fast frigate) at a very slow speed under river pilot control, there were a few stained jockey shorts. You could almost reach out and touch the ship that was anchored we were in the process of passing. How much less control is there in a sailboat, especially if you are the smaller vessel? Could be quite unnerving!
Just wanted to say, even with all of the modern conveniences added to the "Eyes of the Ship" (look-outs)where visibility just "isn't," going through an anchorage on the Delaware River on board a U S Navy, FFG (fast frigate) at a very slow speed under river pilot control, there were a few stained jockey shorts. You could almost reach out and touch the ship that was anchored we were in the process of passing. How much less control is there in a sailboat, especially if you are the smaller vessel? Could be quite unnerving!
BOOOOOOP!!!!
2/11/02 On my first circumnavigation of Long Island, NY, I departed from Block Island heading for Watch Hill and then Mystic Seaport. The trip wasn't "pea soup" but visability was only a few hundred yards. I proceeded under sail using dead reconning since I had no Loran or RDF on that first trip. (It was pre GPS) The wind was moderate but seas were rolling. At one point a fishing traller crossed my course and I saw daylight under its bow as it came over a wave. The fog lifted just as I came up on Watch Hill Light and I was very glad since I had plotted my course for a passage about 1/2 mile west of where I wound up. The lesson is to be more careful when factoring in current, even if the voyage isn't very long. If the fog hadn't lifted I would have had to heave-to because I was hearing sounds that I shouldn't have heard if I had been where I had planned. I did use my Mark I lung powered horn, which is plenty loud entering and leaving port, but I doubt if it would have been heard at sea. It is more important to use your own ears and listen for sounds than to try to be heard. Also, be ready to alter course quickly. Be extra alert is the most important rule. Dick Horton IRISH ROOTS
2/11/02 On my first circumnavigation of Long Island, NY, I departed from Block Island heading for Watch Hill and then Mystic Seaport. The trip wasn't "pea soup" but visability was only a few hundred yards. I proceeded under sail using dead reconning since I had no Loran or RDF on that first trip. (It was pre GPS) The wind was moderate but seas were rolling. At one point a fishing traller crossed my course and I saw daylight under its bow as it came over a wave. The fog lifted just as I came up on Watch Hill Light and I was very glad since I had plotted my course for a passage about 1/2 mile west of where I wound up. The lesson is to be more careful when factoring in current, even if the voyage isn't very long. If the fog hadn't lifted I would have had to heave-to because I was hearing sounds that I shouldn't have heard if I had been where I had planned. I did use my Mark I lung powered horn, which is plenty loud entering and leaving port, but I doubt if it would have been heard at sea. It is more important to use your own ears and listen for sounds than to try to be heard. Also, be ready to alter course quickly. Be extra alert is the most important rule. Dick Horton IRISH ROOTS
Thicker than sea poop
Last summer we were enveloped by fog about a mile out of our home port of Wilson, NY as we headed toward Port Dalhousie, Ontario. The visibility was about 100 yds at the most. Followed the GPS course and kept the sails up. No fog horn but we kept ringing the bell. After 4 hrs and 15 miles the fog lifted after which we wre subjected to heavy stern winds allowing us to surf into Port Dalhousie. An obvious question: why didn't we turn back to home port? We assumed based on weather reports that the fog bank would be short and that we'd be out in a little while, especially since the sun was shining above the fog. Not a safe assumption. Didn't like that experience at all.
Last summer we were enveloped by fog about a mile out of our home port of Wilson, NY as we headed toward Port Dalhousie, Ontario. The visibility was about 100 yds at the most. Followed the GPS course and kept the sails up. No fog horn but we kept ringing the bell. After 4 hrs and 15 miles the fog lifted after which we wre subjected to heavy stern winds allowing us to surf into Port Dalhousie. An obvious question: why didn't we turn back to home port? We assumed based on weather reports that the fog bank would be short and that we'd be out in a little while, especially since the sun was shining above the fog. Not a safe assumption. Didn't like that experience at all.
Foggy days in Florida
We are winter residents and do our sailing on the West Coast of Florida in what some consider the off season. One morning, after breakfast, we left our anchorage at Ding Darling park at Sanibel Island. We could see the ICW buoy where we would rejoin the ICW. As per usual we took a compass reading. Before we got to the buoy a fog rolled in. As some one else said I would have sworn we were turned around except for the compass reading. We almost bumped the marker. The other time we were sailing upto Caladesi park. We went through the swash channel between Egmont Key and Mullet Key out into the Gulf In a north west direction to a point on the chart that would allow us to set a course directly for the marker off Clearwater. For most of the trip the weather was fine until we got to the area off Clearwater. There were boats all around us heading into Clearwater harbour. Real frightening when a motor cruiser would hove into view at full speed. We were using our Loran and when we arrived at the spot where the marker should have been we changed course to 90 degrees true and almost hit the marker. We crawled in, and even though we were in the channel leading into Clearwater harbour we couldn't see the tall buildings on either side of the channel. We caught up to a tour boat and suddenly saw the new bridge. Once past the bridge there was no fog. Another time we were headed north to Venice, FL we headed out the swash channel near Gasparilla Island into the Gulf. The plan was to stay about a mile off the coast. it was foggy but we could see the coast very dimmly. Our concern was the dredges that were anchored off Venice. We knew they were there but were not sure about the tug that serviced them. I guess the fog lifted slightly because we were able to identify the dredges and could make out the taller buldings at Venice. The tug was in the entrance channel so no problem.
We are winter residents and do our sailing on the West Coast of Florida in what some consider the off season. One morning, after breakfast, we left our anchorage at Ding Darling park at Sanibel Island. We could see the ICW buoy where we would rejoin the ICW. As per usual we took a compass reading. Before we got to the buoy a fog rolled in. As some one else said I would have sworn we were turned around except for the compass reading. We almost bumped the marker. The other time we were sailing upto Caladesi park. We went through the swash channel between Egmont Key and Mullet Key out into the Gulf In a north west direction to a point on the chart that would allow us to set a course directly for the marker off Clearwater. For most of the trip the weather was fine until we got to the area off Clearwater. There were boats all around us heading into Clearwater harbour. Real frightening when a motor cruiser would hove into view at full speed. We were using our Loran and when we arrived at the spot where the marker should have been we changed course to 90 degrees true and almost hit the marker. We crawled in, and even though we were in the channel leading into Clearwater harbour we couldn't see the tall buildings on either side of the channel. We caught up to a tour boat and suddenly saw the new bridge. Once past the bridge there was no fog. Another time we were headed north to Venice, FL we headed out the swash channel near Gasparilla Island into the Gulf. The plan was to stay about a mile off the coast. it was foggy but we could see the coast very dimmly. Our concern was the dredges that were anchored off Venice. We knew they were there but were not sure about the tug that serviced them. I guess the fog lifted slightly because we were able to identify the dredges and could make out the taller buldings at Venice. The tug was in the entrance channel so no problem.
Foggy strategy
Caught in the fog once. Did not like it at all. Best strategy is to stay out of the fog! Because of the nature of the older boat, I stay close to home port. Although, maybe 1/2 mi off shore when the fog finally caught up to me as I was heading for my more familiar inlet, I was totally disoriented after about 15 min. Visability was maybe 200 yds, so I held my heading (compass only), with the engine off, until I estimated I had rounded the jetty and the shallows. When I headed in, I was surprised to find I had underestimed the distance travelled by about 1/2 mi. At that point, I turned on the engine and motor/sailed around the jetty, while just barely keeping the shore in sight. I figured I was lucky that day and vowed (without additional equipment) to do all I could to avoid fog in the future. I have recently added Standard Horizon VHF with fog horn capability (instead of the canned air horn) and intend to add a chartplotter this season. On 27 feet of older boat, radar just doesn't seem practical, though I'd sure feel more comfortable with it aboard. Wishing all those out there safe (fogless) sailing.
Caught in the fog once. Did not like it at all. Best strategy is to stay out of the fog! Because of the nature of the older boat, I stay close to home port. Although, maybe 1/2 mi off shore when the fog finally caught up to me as I was heading for my more familiar inlet, I was totally disoriented after about 15 min. Visability was maybe 200 yds, so I held my heading (compass only), with the engine off, until I estimated I had rounded the jetty and the shallows. When I headed in, I was surprised to find I had underestimed the distance travelled by about 1/2 mi. At that point, I turned on the engine and motor/sailed around the jetty, while just barely keeping the shore in sight. I figured I was lucky that day and vowed (without additional equipment) to do all I could to avoid fog in the future. I have recently added Standard Horizon VHF with fog horn capability (instead of the canned air horn) and intend to add a chartplotter this season. On 27 feet of older boat, radar just doesn't seem practical, though I'd sure feel more comfortable with it aboard. Wishing all those out there safe (fogless) sailing.
FOG - UNK
FOG? THE UNKNOWN! The last time was several years ago and I would not want to repeat it. Not realizing where you are EXACTLY and no reference points to guide you. The thoughts go wild! Am I in the channel? too far to the left? to the right? Are there other boats in my line of travel? Will I see the dock in time? Could there be another boat anchored in the wrong place and we could hit? Should I anchor and wait? If I do anchor, am I out of the way of other boats? The last time I was in thick fog, I lowered my sails, started my engine on idle, had my wife hook up her safety harness and watch from the bow. I ring my bell every minute or two. I would travel about 3 or 4 minutes and shut off the engine and listen to far any sounds. We made it to the dock and was able to land without any problems. It took us about an hour and a half to travel a distance we can cover in less than 10 minutes, but we did it safely. Another time away from our home port, we anchored and waited out the fog.
FOG? THE UNKNOWN! The last time was several years ago and I would not want to repeat it. Not realizing where you are EXACTLY and no reference points to guide you. The thoughts go wild! Am I in the channel? too far to the left? to the right? Are there other boats in my line of travel? Will I see the dock in time? Could there be another boat anchored in the wrong place and we could hit? Should I anchor and wait? If I do anchor, am I out of the way of other boats? The last time I was in thick fog, I lowered my sails, started my engine on idle, had my wife hook up her safety harness and watch from the bow. I ring my bell every minute or two. I would travel about 3 or 4 minutes and shut off the engine and listen to far any sounds. We made it to the dock and was able to land without any problems. It took us about an hour and a half to travel a distance we can cover in less than 10 minutes, but we did it safely. Another time away from our home port, we anchored and waited out the fog.
West Coast Fog
Having sailed the West Coast of British Columbia for a number of years where fog is a very common ocurrence,our strategy consists of several factors. How bad to we need to get there? Do we have to cross a shipping lane? (Where we are is full of major shipping lanes). We normally chose to not go if we were already at anchor. But if under way and fog was around we would keep a close track of our position and chart it accordingly. We have run depth contours from point to point, island to island. To say the least that was difficult, at best. We sounded our horn every two minutes while motoring slowly and trying to listen( normally there's not much wind where we are when it's foggy). We have followed other vessels with radar. This is also risky because you are relying on someone elses navigation skills. We now own a boat with GPS, Yeoman paper chart plotter and integrated radar. I think this is the safest combination. Where we are the fear is not of what you will hit, it's more a question of which ship that you don't see will run you over. The key is not to rely on any single navigational application. A combination has proven to be the best.
Having sailed the West Coast of British Columbia for a number of years where fog is a very common ocurrence,our strategy consists of several factors. How bad to we need to get there? Do we have to cross a shipping lane? (Where we are is full of major shipping lanes). We normally chose to not go if we were already at anchor. But if under way and fog was around we would keep a close track of our position and chart it accordingly. We have run depth contours from point to point, island to island. To say the least that was difficult, at best. We sounded our horn every two minutes while motoring slowly and trying to listen( normally there's not much wind where we are when it's foggy). We have followed other vessels with radar. This is also risky because you are relying on someone elses navigation skills. We now own a boat with GPS, Yeoman paper chart plotter and integrated radar. I think this is the safest combination. Where we are the fear is not of what you will hit, it's more a question of which ship that you don't see will run you over. The key is not to rely on any single navigational application. A combination has proven to be the best.
In fog while sailing
Rick, What is standard horizon VHF?? I have experienced fog on Barnegat Bay and the Ocean off Barnegat Light, especially last summer (2001). Last summer I experienced more fog than in 20 years of sailing the Chesapeake, Brigantine NJ, and Barnegat Bay NJ. One day intermittent fog was forcast we used our GPS to go out the Inlet into the Ocean and tracked back just fine. We still had 200 yds visibility and fog lasted about 45 minutes. However, on the Bay last summer we were surrounded twice with virtually no visibility. In that case we turned on the engine, dropped the jib, headed into slightly deeper water, and kept heading home. Sounded bell every 2 minutes and horn every five minutes. We could see the fog coming from the northeast (in all fog related experiences) and it passed in about 30 minutes. I realize now I should have put the running lights on and will do that next time. Richard Miller
Rick, What is standard horizon VHF?? I have experienced fog on Barnegat Bay and the Ocean off Barnegat Light, especially last summer (2001). Last summer I experienced more fog than in 20 years of sailing the Chesapeake, Brigantine NJ, and Barnegat Bay NJ. One day intermittent fog was forcast we used our GPS to go out the Inlet into the Ocean and tracked back just fine. We still had 200 yds visibility and fog lasted about 45 minutes. However, on the Bay last summer we were surrounded twice with virtually no visibility. In that case we turned on the engine, dropped the jib, headed into slightly deeper water, and kept heading home. Sounded bell every 2 minutes and horn every five minutes. We could see the fog coming from the northeast (in all fog related experiences) and it passed in about 30 minutes. I realize now I should have put the running lights on and will do that next time. Richard Miller
a foggy day on the strait
Yes, I've been on georgia strait and hit fog so thick you could only see a few feet...already under sail and continued sailing...without any electronic equipment, we just slowed down and continued onwards...by the time we got to the other side...the fog was lifting...thankfully!
Yes, I've been on georgia strait and hit fog so thick you could only see a few feet...already under sail and continued sailing...without any electronic equipment, we just slowed down and continued onwards...by the time we got to the other side...the fog was lifting...thankfully!
Fog in Juan de Fuca
A motor boat application: New 25' Chris-Craft in 1965. NO instrumentation. NO radio. NO practical experience. Trip: Seattle to Port Angeles (hopefully
A motor boat application: New 25' Chris-Craft in 1965. NO instrumentation. NO radio. NO practical experience. Trip: Seattle to Port Angeles (hopefully
Caught in a fog
Last summer the wife and I were caught in a fog coming in fast from the Pacific Ocean as we sailed towards Fitz Hugh Sound. Approaching the sound under sail we suddenly heard a loud deafening fog horn. The sound was all around us so with our sails up we headed close to shore as possible and then we spotted BC Ferry for a second of time going through the fog. We stayed close to shore as we sailed until the fog lifted a few hours later. We had no radar but a radar reflector, but was that fog horn ever loud. Fred Scott LADY Vi Mac26X
Last summer the wife and I were caught in a fog coming in fast from the Pacific Ocean as we sailed towards Fitz Hugh Sound. Approaching the sound under sail we suddenly heard a loud deafening fog horn. The sound was all around us so with our sails up we headed close to shore as possible and then we spotted BC Ferry for a second of time going through the fog. We stayed close to shore as we sailed until the fog lifted a few hours later. We had no radar but a radar reflector, but was that fog horn ever loud. Fred Scott LADY Vi Mac26X
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