Heaving To

[Don Guillette]

Scott: It is the same thing down here in Long Beach. Those suckers pop up over the horizon and before you know it they are on you. I don't know their speed but they are really hauling. I would never try to cross them. I was out with a dumb ass once who tried it and it scared the bejesus out of me. We barely made it and the container ship never change course. A drop in wind or whatever and he'd have cut us in two. To this day I can still hear his horn blasting those 5 blasts. I'm glad the topic of heaving to worked for you. All mates should try it just to see how it works. You never know when it will come in handy.

 

[Stu Jackson]

FYI with 5 blasts

The Coast Guard now follows up and if the boat that toots at you can read your registration number, they give you a friendly [sic] telephone call, sometimes months later, about impeding the passage of a vessel. Has something to do with Homeland (*x) Security. Don't cross a ship. The fine's aren't worth it, they are a LOT, and besides, like Don says, it's a dumb ass thing to do.Stu

 

[Seattle Scott]

OK full disclosure

When I first saw the cruise ships I thought I had already cleared their bows, but they just kept turning toward my path after they came out of the main harbor and around the point. About 1-2 miles apart, I received a 5 second continuous horn, not 5 horns. A few months ago I received 5 horns from an overtaking container ship that was going to turn across my path. Either way, one continuous horn or 5 soundings, I change course or stop my course.