This is why you shouldnt sail through Louisianna waters at night without RADAR. It seemed like we went through this about every 3-4 hours. Under normal conditions, the lights burn out on unmanned platforms and jackets or well heads. After Hurricanes Rita and Katrina, there are still many platforms that have been knocked down at severe angles and are not properly lighted. As a safety precaution, I ran the engine in 'idle' while going through the fields just in case we had to make a quick maneuver to dodge a previously unseen platform.
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who's responsible
should you hit one of these and it causes some real damage? That's just terrible. How far off shore are these? Is there anything being done to illuminate these platforms? Are they all still working or are they like abandoned well sites here in Oklahoma? Is ANYTHING being done about these? I can only imagine that some are so small and submerged that they don't show up on radar.Thanks for the update on the condition of the boating area in the Gulf of Mexico. Makes me feel all warm and cozy just knowing it's a safe cruising ground. A gulf no less. Enjoy, but during daylight hours only. Keep it up, Ctskip
should you hit one of these and it causes some real damage? That's just terrible. How far off shore are these? Is there anything being done to illuminate these platforms? Are they all still working or are they like abandoned well sites here in Oklahoma? Is ANYTHING being done about these? I can only imagine that some are so small and submerged that they don't show up on radar.Thanks for the update on the condition of the boating area in the Gulf of Mexico. Makes me feel all warm and cozy just knowing it's a safe cruising ground. A gulf no less. Enjoy, but during daylight hours only. Keep it up, Ctskip
yeah
How far is that off the shore? I know on the texas coast most of them are between 5 miles and 20 miles off the shore but more even as far out as 100 miles. I've never seen anything like what you posted though. Most I've seen in 4 or 5 per 10 square mile radius.
How far is that off the shore? I know on the texas coast most of them are between 5 miles and 20 miles off the shore but more even as far out as 100 miles. I've never seen anything like what you posted though. Most I've seen in 4 or 5 per 10 square mile radius.
I did some work for Halliburton...
several years ago. Was installing SatCom equipment and large (2.4 meter) maritine satellite dish antennas on their ships out of Port Fourchon (pronounced Phuu-shawn). This required that I go on several trips to offshore rigs. On one such trip, we went through what looked like a maritime mine field of rigs and above water pipes. First thing I thought of was navigating through that mess. That picture is awesome. But, I'd hate to find myself in the middle of that at night.
several years ago. Was installing SatCom equipment and large (2.4 meter) maritine satellite dish antennas on their ships out of Port Fourchon (pronounced Phuu-shawn). This required that I go on several trips to offshore rigs. On one such trip, we went through what looked like a maritime mine field of rigs and above water pipes. First thing I thought of was navigating through that mess. That picture is awesome. But, I'd hate to find myself in the middle of that at night.
Responsible?
This particular photo was i beleive about 50 to 60 miles off shore. I took it about a month or so ago. Most of the platforms and wells run North and South following major pipelines. They can be this thick as far as about 80 miles out, then the fields get smaller the further you go. They show up very well on RADAR, so if you have RADAR, its not a problem. Some areas closer in are a lot more congested than this. I believe the oil companies are responsible for keeping them lighted, but not clear on the law. Manned platforms are very well lighted and can be seen for 20 miles. The unmanned platforms are only required to have a blinking light on any 2 opposite corners. If you happen to be approaching from a corner where the light is burned out, you have a real good chance of not seeing the light on the opposite side. The lights are the same in configuration as in smaller lighthouses in that the bulbs are mounted on a rotating wheel like a ferris wheel. When one bulb burns out, it rotates automatically and a new bulb appears.
This particular photo was i beleive about 50 to 60 miles off shore. I took it about a month or so ago. Most of the platforms and wells run North and South following major pipelines. They can be this thick as far as about 80 miles out, then the fields get smaller the further you go. They show up very well on RADAR, so if you have RADAR, its not a problem. Some areas closer in are a lot more congested than this. I believe the oil companies are responsible for keeping them lighted, but not clear on the law. Manned platforms are very well lighted and can be seen for 20 miles. The unmanned platforms are only required to have a blinking light on any 2 opposite corners. If you happen to be approaching from a corner where the light is burned out, you have a real good chance of not seeing the light on the opposite side. The lights are the same in configuration as in smaller lighthouses in that the bulbs are mounted on a rotating wheel like a ferris wheel. When one bulb burns out, it rotates automatically and a new bulb appears.
Phuu-shawn ???
I know the area you are talking about, and its even worse coming out of Intra-Coastal City, and if you can say "Phuu-shawn" (And yes, I'm impressed)you can become a RCA.....Registered Coon-Ass.
I know the area you are talking about, and its even worse coming out of Intra-Coastal City, and if you can say "Phuu-shawn" (And yes, I'm impressed)you can become a RCA.....Registered Coon-Ass.
Radar
I can tell you one thing, even with radar that would be a nightmare. You wouldn't make out all of those on the radar and know exactly where each was. If there was a full moon out high above it would be much easier. I know during my trips that I've seen rigs at night lit and have one just a few hundred yards away not lit and even though both showed up on radar, I thought it was just the one lit up one...until I almost ran into it. Good thing I was going slow (3.5 knots). Radar can be tricky on a sailboat. The bow moves a lot and sometimes it may register dead ahead but it's actually 5 or 10 degrees off...or you may think it is because that's what you see.
I can tell you one thing, even with radar that would be a nightmare. You wouldn't make out all of those on the radar and know exactly where each was. If there was a full moon out high above it would be much easier. I know during my trips that I've seen rigs at night lit and have one just a few hundred yards away not lit and even though both showed up on radar, I thought it was just the one lit up one...until I almost ran into it. Good thing I was going slow (3.5 knots). Radar can be tricky on a sailboat. The bow moves a lot and sometimes it may register dead ahead but it's actually 5 or 10 degrees off...or you may think it is because that's what you see.
Wow
...great picture, but what a mess. I am suprised to see that many rigs that far out (but it could be). I grew up in N.O.and fished the gulf 2x's a week in the Summer. We would only fish 2- 5 miles offshore...still 15 ft. of water. When storms would come up and fishing slowed down, we would count the rigs to pass some time...could remember counting 60-80+ rigs within sight. I would hate to navigate that at night. If the lights were out, did the rigs still at least have horns? By the way, if you can spell and say Fourchon, you are a RCA.
...great picture, but what a mess. I am suprised to see that many rigs that far out (but it could be). I grew up in N.O.and fished the gulf 2x's a week in the Summer. We would only fish 2- 5 miles offshore...still 15 ft. of water. When storms would come up and fishing slowed down, we would count the rigs to pass some time...could remember counting 60-80+ rigs within sight. I would hate to navigate that at night. If the lights were out, did the rigs still at least have horns? By the way, if you can spell and say Fourchon, you are a RCA.
Horns usually still work but....
The horns are independant of the lights. As long as the batteries are still good the horns should work. Sound itself is not the best way of locating an object though. I personally could not do it with any degree of accuracy. I would hit the platform before i located the source of the horn.....that is not a joke.
The horns are independant of the lights. As long as the batteries are still good the horns should work. Sound itself is not the best way of locating an object though. I personally could not do it with any degree of accuracy. I would hit the platform before i located the source of the horn.....that is not a joke.
Agreed...
that sound is the least desirable way of having to navigate, but better than no light and no sound... I would probably be within striking distance, then the horn would scare the $#@& out of me at the last moment....I wouldn't think about navigating this area without radar.
that sound is the least desirable way of having to navigate, but better than no light and no sound... I would probably be within striking distance, then the horn would scare the $#@& out of me at the last moment....I wouldn't think about navigating this area without radar.
No beers...but of course, the conditions matter
a lot. One weekend I was out last year and it was so peaceful and you could hear the horn about a mile away. That weekend this year where I almost ran into an unlit rig, the wind was gusting to 28 knots and waves were 6-8 feet and very choppy (that's why the bow was moving a lot). I could hardly hear the horns that night because of the wind. It being pitch dark didn't help this solo sailor either. If things work out just right at work, I might get a couple of weeks of sailing in for the next full moon. I plan on sailing down to Port Isabel from Kemah just a couple days before the full moon if the weather is right. Spend a day or two there and then sail to Corpus, then to Madagorda Bay, then Freeport, then Kemah. I hope there is less rigs going south.
a lot. One weekend I was out last year and it was so peaceful and you could hear the horn about a mile away. That weekend this year where I almost ran into an unlit rig, the wind was gusting to 28 knots and waves were 6-8 feet and very choppy (that's why the bow was moving a lot). I could hardly hear the horns that night because of the wind. It being pitch dark didn't help this solo sailor either. If things work out just right at work, I might get a couple of weeks of sailing in for the next full moon. I plan on sailing down to Port Isabel from Kemah just a couple days before the full moon if the weather is right. Spend a day or two there and then sail to Corpus, then to Madagorda Bay, then Freeport, then Kemah. I hope there is less rigs going south.
Franklin
I dont know the actual number of platforms and rigs or their density compared to La. From all of the flights i have taken out of Port OConnor, Tx in several directions, their doesnt appear to be either as many nor as densely clustered as La. With RADAR, you should be just fine. Now, if you drank the beer like a good little boy, you would have heard the horns and 'seen the light'. P.S. Have a great trip and wave as you go by Aransas Pass. There is a really nice marina in Port Aransas, I think its called "the Moorings" or something similar to that. Only problem being.....no stores around. Lots of stores and restaurants in the city marina in Port Aransas tho.
I dont know the actual number of platforms and rigs or their density compared to La. From all of the flights i have taken out of Port OConnor, Tx in several directions, their doesnt appear to be either as many nor as densely clustered as La. With RADAR, you should be just fine. Now, if you drank the beer like a good little boy, you would have heard the horns and 'seen the light'. P.S. Have a great trip and wave as you go by Aransas Pass. There is a really nice marina in Port Aransas, I think its called "the Moorings" or something similar to that. Only problem being.....no stores around. Lots of stores and restaurants in the city marina in Port Aransas tho.
A lot of wreckage still out there! *yks
The whole Gulf Coast is still littered with wreckage of oil platforms and destroyed wellheads after last year's hurricanes. Every week the USCG LNM lists pages after pages of navigational outages. This week's USCG LNM for District 8 Gulf had 49 pages. The last pages list platform outages for the Gulf of Mexico. If that's not bad enough you now have to look out for wreckage below the water. A couple of Redfish fishermen are suing ExxonMobil after..."a large, sharp, metal pipe sitting only inches below the surface of the water impaled their boat." Fair Winds, Clyde
The whole Gulf Coast is still littered with wreckage of oil platforms and destroyed wellheads after last year's hurricanes. Every week the USCG LNM lists pages after pages of navigational outages. This week's USCG LNM for District 8 Gulf had 49 pages. The last pages list platform outages for the Gulf of Mexico. If that's not bad enough you now have to look out for wreckage below the water. A couple of Redfish fishermen are suing ExxonMobil after..."a large, sharp, metal pipe sitting only inches below the surface of the water impaled their boat." Fair Winds, Clyde
RAD......
Lets start out by saying that when I grew up in Brooklyn, I never even heard of a cajun. Here is the best I can do. .....Cajuns are french Canadians that were run out of Canada a few hundred years ago. i can remember why, I was only a kid back then, Anyway, they settled in the swamps (Bayou's) of Louisianna. They came from a place in Canada called Acadia ( or something similar). Now here comes the bastardization of words. You know how in the old cowboy movies they called Indians, Injuns? well, the same thing happened down here...Acadians slowly evolved into Cadians and then into Cajuns. Ok, isnt this exciting. Now , cajuns refer to themselves as Coon-asses. This is NOT derogatory. They say it with pride. I have asked for many years and no one can tell me the origin of the expression "Coon-ass". Maybe it was the bastardization of Kanuks. No telling. Anyway, they have a facinating culture. They have been in the swamps, sory, bayous for several hundred years and just about all of them still speak French as well as English. I'm 59 and most Cajuns/Coon-asses my age have parents that never spoke english. Thats about all i can say. It would take forever for an outsider like me to describe their culture. For example, they wont eat anything they didnt run over themselves.
Lets start out by saying that when I grew up in Brooklyn, I never even heard of a cajun. Here is the best I can do. .....Cajuns are french Canadians that were run out of Canada a few hundred years ago. i can remember why, I was only a kid back then, Anyway, they settled in the swamps (Bayou's) of Louisianna. They came from a place in Canada called Acadia ( or something similar). Now here comes the bastardization of words. You know how in the old cowboy movies they called Indians, Injuns? well, the same thing happened down here...Acadians slowly evolved into Cadians and then into Cajuns. Ok, isnt this exciting. Now , cajuns refer to themselves as Coon-asses. This is NOT derogatory. They say it with pride. I have asked for many years and no one can tell me the origin of the expression "Coon-ass". Maybe it was the bastardization of Kanuks. No telling. Anyway, they have a facinating culture. They have been in the swamps, sory, bayous for several hundred years and just about all of them still speak French as well as English. I'm 59 and most Cajuns/Coon-asses my age have parents that never spoke english. Thats about all i can say. It would take forever for an outsider like me to describe their culture. For example, they wont eat anything they didnt run over themselves.
RAD, One more thing....
My last name is Bilello, down here the only way that anyone even has a clue as to how it is pronounced is if i spell it Bilelleaux. French names of towns down here are killer. Easy place to get lost. If for example, someone tells you to hang a left on Swess St. you will pass it up because it is really spelled Choust. They also have the worst habit of putting too many silent letters in a word.
My last name is Bilello, down here the only way that anyone even has a clue as to how it is pronounced is if i spell it Bilelleaux. French names of towns down here are killer. Easy place to get lost. If for example, someone tells you to hang a left on Swess St. you will pass it up because it is really spelled Choust. They also have the worst habit of putting too many silent letters in a word.
Origin of "coon ass"
The origin of the word "coon ass" is derived from the mixed ethnicity of the peoples inhabiting the lower Louisiana coastal areas. The mixture is generally Spanish, French, English, possibly Native American or Islander, and African. Since a Coon Ass is approximately 1/8 to 1/4 African - and the derogatory term for blacks is "coon", then one who is a coon ass has maybe enough of an African percentile in them for at least their ass to be black, if not enough to color other portions of their body. It is still common in Louisiana for anyone who has EVER had an African American ancestor to be listed as "Negro" on their birth certificates. "I may look white but I got a coon ass!!" And yes, it is said with GREAT pride!! The origin of the word cajun is, as suggested, a bastardization of the term "Arcadian", as the French inhabitants of Canada are, or were, commonly referred. As the British took over much of Canada the French inhabitants fled down through the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River and on into Lower Louisiana (still French at the time). These Arcadians eventually became known as Cajuns, just as it was suggested that the term Indian eventually was distorted into "Injuns".
The origin of the word "coon ass" is derived from the mixed ethnicity of the peoples inhabiting the lower Louisiana coastal areas. The mixture is generally Spanish, French, English, possibly Native American or Islander, and African. Since a Coon Ass is approximately 1/8 to 1/4 African - and the derogatory term for blacks is "coon", then one who is a coon ass has maybe enough of an African percentile in them for at least their ass to be black, if not enough to color other portions of their body. It is still common in Louisiana for anyone who has EVER had an African American ancestor to be listed as "Negro" on their birth certificates. "I may look white but I got a coon ass!!" And yes, it is said with GREAT pride!! The origin of the word cajun is, as suggested, a bastardization of the term "Arcadian", as the French inhabitants of Canada are, or were, commonly referred. As the British took over much of Canada the French inhabitants fled down through the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River and on into Lower Louisiana (still French at the time). These Arcadians eventually became known as Cajuns, just as it was suggested that the term Indian eventually was distorted into "Injuns".
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