What's the most difficult aspect of getting caught in fog? Navigation, collision avoidance, keeping your wits about you... or do you not break a sweat? Do you rely more on electronic means, or are the traditional methods of sightless navigation sufficient for you? Bring some vision to the subject here, then vote in this week's Quick Quiz at the bottom of the HOW home page.
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Sea Room
At least in the area where I frequently sail, having sea room is of utmost importance. For reasons that I can't quite understand, at least a few people wind up putting their boats on the beach each year in the fog - perhaps they feel that they can "follow the beach" to port. MC
At least in the area where I frequently sail, having sea room is of utmost importance. For reasons that I can't quite understand, at least a few people wind up putting their boats on the beach each year in the fog - perhaps they feel that they can "follow the beach" to port. MC
Navigation
Being a small boat sailor, I don't get caught in the fog too often- but it does happen from time to time... I've found that I'm not too worried about collision avoidance because I can hear other traffic through the fog, and if everyone is doing what they're supposed to be doing (a BIG 'if'...), you would be able to hear a bell or whistle from approaching traffic. (A VHF also helps here.) Staying calm isn't too difficult, and if the fog's so thick that I can't find my beer, then I should probably set the anchor and call it a day! Navigation is a different prospect. I have a handheld GPS aboard, but I feel a WHOLE lot better if I can actually see the bouys or markers before I run into them. Here in the Florida Keys, if you get outside the channels it gets extremely shallow very quickly; Reading the bottom by Braille really isn't my idea of fun, especially when a boater can be fined very large sums of money for running into sea grass beds or bumping into coral(!) heads. When the fog gets thick, I prefer to kick back in the cabin, have a cup of coffee, listen to the radio, and relax until it burns off - Avoiding the problems associated with navigating altogether. --Jon Bastien H23 '2 Sheets to the Wind'
Being a small boat sailor, I don't get caught in the fog too often- but it does happen from time to time... I've found that I'm not too worried about collision avoidance because I can hear other traffic through the fog, and if everyone is doing what they're supposed to be doing (a BIG 'if'...), you would be able to hear a bell or whistle from approaching traffic. (A VHF also helps here.) Staying calm isn't too difficult, and if the fog's so thick that I can't find my beer, then I should probably set the anchor and call it a day! Navigation is a different prospect. I have a handheld GPS aboard, but I feel a WHOLE lot better if I can actually see the bouys or markers before I run into them. Here in the Florida Keys, if you get outside the channels it gets extremely shallow very quickly; Reading the bottom by Braille really isn't my idea of fun, especially when a boater can be fined very large sums of money for running into sea grass beds or bumping into coral(!) heads. When the fog gets thick, I prefer to kick back in the cabin, have a cup of coffee, listen to the radio, and relax until it burns off - Avoiding the problems associated with navigating altogether. --Jon Bastien H23 '2 Sheets to the Wind'
Navigation !!
On the 200 mile long winding lake without, the potential of another boat is small unless it is a motor boat. Hence navigation with a Garmin 48 and the preplotted waypoints are critical. Also very hand for a very dark night, as the lake has no navigational lights throughout its 200 miles length.
On the 200 mile long winding lake without, the potential of another boat is small unless it is a motor boat. Hence navigation with a Garmin 48 and the preplotted waypoints are critical. Also very hand for a very dark night, as the lake has no navigational lights throughout its 200 miles length.
colision avoidance
Colison avoidance is the major problem with fog navigation. Nowdays with DGPS, current charts and a good compass, navagation in dense fog even without radar should not be a problem for the knowledgeable sailor. However without radar dense fog can be a killer, although you may see another vessel aproach, you may never know if he saw you. Numerous times I have been navigating in fog on radar in marked channels and had close calls from other boaters many of which were continuing to operate at high speed in dense fog without radar. A key word in the above is knowledgeable even if you do know the proper sound signals for operating in restricted visibility doesn't mean everyone does. If you don't believe me next time you are at the marina ask the boater next to you what the proper signal is for his type of boat in fog at anchor or underway makingway and underway not makingway. And by the way do you think the guy driving the go fast boat with twin 500hp v8's running at 3000rpm under his feet is going to hear your sound signal. Several years ago in Mobile Bay a sailboat was anchored about a mile outside the Intercoastal waterway when it was struck by a barge and towboat, killing the occupants of the sailboat and plowing the sailboat into the mud, where it wasn't located for several days. The towboat operator when interviewed said he never saw the sailboat in the dense fog either visually or on radar. He also said he never heard a fog signal from the sailboat. According to the rules of the road each vessel is required to maintain a proper lookout and operate at safe speed at all times. If visibility is down to 100 feet what is your safe speed?
Colison avoidance is the major problem with fog navigation. Nowdays with DGPS, current charts and a good compass, navagation in dense fog even without radar should not be a problem for the knowledgeable sailor. However without radar dense fog can be a killer, although you may see another vessel aproach, you may never know if he saw you. Numerous times I have been navigating in fog on radar in marked channels and had close calls from other boaters many of which were continuing to operate at high speed in dense fog without radar. A key word in the above is knowledgeable even if you do know the proper sound signals for operating in restricted visibility doesn't mean everyone does. If you don't believe me next time you are at the marina ask the boater next to you what the proper signal is for his type of boat in fog at anchor or underway makingway and underway not makingway. And by the way do you think the guy driving the go fast boat with twin 500hp v8's running at 3000rpm under his feet is going to hear your sound signal. Several years ago in Mobile Bay a sailboat was anchored about a mile outside the Intercoastal waterway when it was struck by a barge and towboat, killing the occupants of the sailboat and plowing the sailboat into the mud, where it wasn't located for several days. The towboat operator when interviewed said he never saw the sailboat in the dense fog either visually or on radar. He also said he never heard a fog signal from the sailboat. According to the rules of the road each vessel is required to maintain a proper lookout and operate at safe speed at all times. If visibility is down to 100 feet what is your safe speed?
CAUTION-
As you know the Maine coast has it's share of fog. I stop sailing,put radar reflector up ,motor slowly,mate on bow with air horn(blast every minute),stay on GPS route,monitor VHF, and pray all other boats are doing the same.
As you know the Maine coast has it's share of fog. I stop sailing,put radar reflector up ,motor slowly,mate on bow with air horn(blast every minute),stay on GPS route,monitor VHF, and pray all other boats are doing the same.
Collision Avoidance Extreemly Important
My cruising area is the Pacific Northwest up to Alaska in a Hunter 35. My main concern is hitting or being hit by another boat so we've got the necessary equipment: radar - right? Radar is so cheap now almost everybody has it. Radar reflectors? Most boats have reflectors but there are a number that don't, and typically cannot be seen very well on radar. The other related acquisition I've installed is a loud-hailer LH-5 made by Standard. What is neat with this unit is one can hit the button for what ever fog sound signal you want: boat under sail, boat under power, boat at anchor, boat aground, etc. One of the things that's important here is the legal aspects; if there is a collision the investigation will certainly inquire if all parties were sounding the requisite sound signal, and it would be good to be in the 'right'. Interesting sea story about a fog incident: While traveling through pea soup one morning I noticed a very slight 'target' on the radar. I get these all the time with a small group of birds, debris in the water, boat without a reflector, etc. I slowed way down and looming out of the fog was a huge wood barge!!!! It was tied to a mooring buoy near a rock quarry (just south of the Tachoma Narrows bridge for those that know the area). This barge didn't have a radar reflector and the signal was almost non-existent. Imagine what would have happened if it was part of a tow, empty with no rock higher than the sides. You'd pick up the tug on radar, potentially not even knowing it was a tug, but probably not catch the barge signal. This situation could ruin one's day.
My cruising area is the Pacific Northwest up to Alaska in a Hunter 35. My main concern is hitting or being hit by another boat so we've got the necessary equipment: radar - right? Radar is so cheap now almost everybody has it. Radar reflectors? Most boats have reflectors but there are a number that don't, and typically cannot be seen very well on radar. The other related acquisition I've installed is a loud-hailer LH-5 made by Standard. What is neat with this unit is one can hit the button for what ever fog sound signal you want: boat under sail, boat under power, boat at anchor, boat aground, etc. One of the things that's important here is the legal aspects; if there is a collision the investigation will certainly inquire if all parties were sounding the requisite sound signal, and it would be good to be in the 'right'. Interesting sea story about a fog incident: While traveling through pea soup one morning I noticed a very slight 'target' on the radar. I get these all the time with a small group of birds, debris in the water, boat without a reflector, etc. I slowed way down and looming out of the fog was a huge wood barge!!!! It was tied to a mooring buoy near a rock quarry (just south of the Tachoma Narrows bridge for those that know the area). This barge didn't have a radar reflector and the signal was almost non-existent. Imagine what would have happened if it was part of a tow, empty with no rock higher than the sides. You'd pick up the tug on radar, potentially not even knowing it was a tug, but probably not catch the barge signal. This situation could ruin one's day.
Worst Fear, NEWSPAPER
My worst experience with fog was on Lake Erie when I was around 18 about 35 years ago. I was motoring around with a female companion on a nice sunny afternoon in a samll runabout. A very dense fog bank rolled in and we had no navigation gear, including a compass. Managed to find a coast guard vessel which had about 10 other boats tied up to it. The Coast Guard boat was also trapped because it did not have radar and was not going to move because of the heavy shoaling. Later found out the Sheriff's patrol ran aground. Eventually the fog lifted slightly and the Coast Guard brought everybody back to the station. Now the harrowing part. The whole incident was published in the paper along with names of those "rescued". Unfortunatly, another girlfriend read the paper and recognized my companion's name. I later received a compass from the newspaper reading girlfriendand was told not to lose my way again. Too stupid to get the double meaning. I think this was a near death experince.
My worst experience with fog was on Lake Erie when I was around 18 about 35 years ago. I was motoring around with a female companion on a nice sunny afternoon in a samll runabout. A very dense fog bank rolled in and we had no navigation gear, including a compass. Managed to find a coast guard vessel which had about 10 other boats tied up to it. The Coast Guard boat was also trapped because it did not have radar and was not going to move because of the heavy shoaling. Later found out the Sheriff's patrol ran aground. Eventually the fog lifted slightly and the Coast Guard brought everybody back to the station. Now the harrowing part. The whole incident was published in the paper along with names of those "rescued". Unfortunatly, another girlfriend read the paper and recognized my companion's name. I later received a compass from the newspaper reading girlfriendand was told not to lose my way again. Too stupid to get the double meaning. I think this was a near death experince.
Bells, Wistles, passengers and panic...
Even with all the modern day bells and wistles, when that fog bank rolls over your stern, I try to get that one last good visual fix of the shore line.(In aviation... One peak is worth a thousand cross checks!) At this time, sailing becomes a serious event. The GPS and radar are working for me and an alternate plan of action if they should quit. I feel pretty comfortable in the soup since I'm there all the time in my work. But then it happens. What I forget is the fact that this is a very high stress and sometimes near panic situation for my passengers. They want to help. I start getting conflicting comments from one passenger then another.... about seeing a boat hearing another. The radar says that everything is ok... but you know radar. So you gotta strain all your senses to confirm if the passenger is right or just excited. The longer you are in the soup the more the tension grows among your passengers. In one case I had a passenger in a panic, yelling "we were about to be run over by a huge cruise ship!" I check the radar... What did I miss!? Nothing is painting....I strain to see what she is looking at.... it is the cliff of point Loma! Thanks for the heart attack lady! The point is, Know how to work your radar, use it when the weather is good. Know what it will do for you and what it won't. Use good crew resource management. Filter out the mistakes of your crew and your equipment, make a rational decision without all the emotion be a good calm skipper and have a nice day. Above all, remember to plan ahead, and have PFD's on all the passengers, If they go overboard... they are dead.
Even with all the modern day bells and wistles, when that fog bank rolls over your stern, I try to get that one last good visual fix of the shore line.(In aviation... One peak is worth a thousand cross checks!) At this time, sailing becomes a serious event. The GPS and radar are working for me and an alternate plan of action if they should quit. I feel pretty comfortable in the soup since I'm there all the time in my work. But then it happens. What I forget is the fact that this is a very high stress and sometimes near panic situation for my passengers. They want to help. I start getting conflicting comments from one passenger then another.... about seeing a boat hearing another. The radar says that everything is ok... but you know radar. So you gotta strain all your senses to confirm if the passenger is right or just excited. The longer you are in the soup the more the tension grows among your passengers. In one case I had a passenger in a panic, yelling "we were about to be run over by a huge cruise ship!" I check the radar... What did I miss!? Nothing is painting....I strain to see what she is looking at.... it is the cliff of point Loma! Thanks for the heart attack lady! The point is, Know how to work your radar, use it when the weather is good. Know what it will do for you and what it won't. Use good crew resource management. Filter out the mistakes of your crew and your equipment, make a rational decision without all the emotion be a good calm skipper and have a nice day. Above all, remember to plan ahead, and have PFD's on all the passengers, If they go overboard... they are dead.
Caution Caution Caution
I follow Larry McKay's remarks exactly but also announce my position and heading in close quarters on channel 16 for those interested and keep an eye the chart and try to confirm depths.
I follow Larry McKay's remarks exactly but also announce my position and heading in close quarters on channel 16 for those interested and keep an eye the chart and try to confirm depths.
PFD'S
I want to add Jerry Boone's comment to my previous response.. PUT ON LIFE JACKETS----Thanks Jerry
I want to add Jerry Boone's comment to my previous response.. PUT ON LIFE JACKETS----Thanks Jerry
DAM SOUP
Last comment----DAM SOUP D-deflector A-assure crew M-motor slow S-sound horn O-outlook on bow U-unbend sails P-PFD'S L.McKay
Last comment----DAM SOUP D-deflector A-assure crew M-motor slow S-sound horn O-outlook on bow U-unbend sails P-PFD'S L.McKay
Air Traffic Ctrl
As an Air Traffic Controller by vocation, I have an affinity for radar. When fog hits me I rely on radar for vessel and above water terrain avoidance. I have a scan method that goes from the radar to listening to the depth sounder. I also take GPS plots every 10-15 min to ensure the correct course. My crew knows to "shut-up and listen" during this time. Of course the PFD's are on, the horn is blowing, the VHF is on and I usually do not exceed 3-4 kts of speed. Oh...... I pray alot too!!!!
As an Air Traffic Controller by vocation, I have an affinity for radar. When fog hits me I rely on radar for vessel and above water terrain avoidance. I have a scan method that goes from the radar to listening to the depth sounder. I also take GPS plots every 10-15 min to ensure the correct course. My crew knows to "shut-up and listen" during this time. Of course the PFD's are on, the horn is blowing, the VHF is on and I usually do not exceed 3-4 kts of speed. Oh...... I pray alot too!!!!
ATC and sailing
The writer who is an air traffic controller made me think of an interesting analogy. Sailing in fog is like flying on instruments, i.e., no usable outside visibility, EXCEPT that in airplanes you have established routes and altitudes and people like our ATC friend carefully watching you on radar to keep you safe. On the water, you just have instruments and luck. A sobering thought indeed. MC
The writer who is an air traffic controller made me think of an interesting analogy. Sailing in fog is like flying on instruments, i.e., no usable outside visibility, EXCEPT that in airplanes you have established routes and altitudes and people like our ATC friend carefully watching you on radar to keep you safe. On the water, you just have instruments and luck. A sobering thought indeed. MC
Final results
Final results for the Quick Quiz ending 3/27/2000: What's the most difficult aspect of fog? 51% Collision avoidance (156) 23% Navigation (69) 14% Finding your beer (42) 12% Staying calm (38)
Final results for the Quick Quiz ending 3/27/2000: What's the most difficult aspect of fog? 51% Collision avoidance (156) 23% Navigation (69) 14% Finding your beer (42) 12% Staying calm (38)
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