Warship Collides With Sailboat, Sinking Her

[Brian]

at least....

I know there will be one less person out on the water that might try to run me down by not knowing who has right-of-way.Maybe next time he'll realize very large boats can't turn too fast.

 

[Bill Coxe]

Ramming a warship

In the Thames River in CT, we have ferries, submarines, the occasional tanker, freighter and large (and small) Coast Guard vessels. Military ships are accompanied by escorts, and they WILL escort you out of the way. On the VHF, I have heard surface ships attempt to contact boaters on CH 16 and only sometimes do they get a reply, and these guys are BIG. They can't stop in any reasonable distance, they can't change course abrubtly without endangering themselves or others, and although it has meant extra tacking to maintain the distance, not being ordered to start my engine to maintain separation is a kind of endorsement of my seamanship. Ferry boats are just arrogant. They don't require or use the channel, but they rarely alter course even when they have plenty of time and water. On the other hand, I'm where I want to be, and it is an annoyance, nothing worse. The chatter on the VHF from people calling SEATOW and BOATUS could be amusing if it wan't indicative of the "Buy now, learn later" syndrome. Though there was the time I almost broadsided 'Amistad' in high winds and confused seas. Good sailing, glad everyone was saved.Bill Coxe, O28 Kukulcán, New London, CT

 

[73mensailed]

Has anyone heard the owners story yet?

Was his story or explanation posted anywhere?

 

[Tom]

navy joke

there was a navy man talking to a light it's supposed to be a true story.NM This is the US navy change your course 15 degrees to port.light; Change your course 15degrees starboard.NM ; This is a US Navy fleet on maneuvres change your course now!!!light; Change your course now.NM This is the US navy we will use all of the force at our disposal if you don't change your course now!!!!light; This is a lighthouse....your call.Not an exact retailing but you get the gist.

 

[Neil Braun]

Wind shadows and large boats/ships

Hi everyone...I have seen something interesting that may have some baring on this, here in Key West we have lots of narrow chanels and VERY strong currents, one day while out sailing and attempting to overtake a hobbie cat (an act of total futility) I watched the hobbie loose all wind as a huge coast gaurd boat pulled out of its dock, it totaly blocked the hobbies wind, and suddenly the poor bastard was caught in the current and swept almost right into the side of the coast guard boat, he managed to save him self by jumping over board with his bow line and swimming like crazzy, meanwhile, the pilot on the coast guard boat apperently noticed what was happening and slammed it in reverse....It was amazing how fast that thing changed direction! it took about 30 seconds....Anyhow, the hobbie guy got his wind back, hopped back on board and waved to the guys on the coast guard boat who were all cheering and waving back.happy ending huh?Right of way be dammed, just try to survive with out messing up others!Cheers!

 

[Stu Jackson]

One Other Thing

Great thread. Can't wait for Al of NY to make it to Congress and expand the Patriot Act so that we all have to register before we take our boats out for a sail.No one mentioned this: five short blasts from a ship's horn means stay clear. Assuming the sailboat wasn't doing warp speed, the frigate had time to honk the "Frigate", so what was the sailboat skipper thinking? I love the conspiracy theory...Ferry boats on SF Bay are GREAT. There's tons of them doing Alcatraz and the Golden Gate routes, and the regular commuter lines, and thy've all been great about dodging us sailors. In return (and as REQUIRED) we all have developed a healthy, warranted and required respect for large vessels of all kinds. It's been years since an incident has occurred here - last one was a few year ago when a sailor in a race cut a corner (and a freighter's bow) too close, and the story was published for everyone's information (he got more than protested).Yup, it's getting more crowded out there, but licensing isn't the answer.Stu