Another night time collision...

PascalG

PascalG

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http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/07/29/2919671/two-injured-as-boaters-collide.html Larger boat runs over 13' whaler and keeps going

Again, if you run a small boat at night, check the visibility of your nav lights and have a spot light or big flashlight ready

And to all, dim electronics to preserve your night vision!!!

Saturday night was a clear night with a near full moon and plenty of reflected city light. You could easily see daymarkers
 
Easy enough to do. A 13' boat is not much to see at the best of times. At night, poorly lit, other larger boats around with all kinds of lights on at the helm area, a recipe for a crash.

I have had more than a few incidences of near collisions at night with boats at anchor, no lights or coming up behind one with no stern light & no other lights on.

The little guys assume that they can be seen. Wrong assumption.
 
Another reason for the 13 Whaler too turn up their instrumentation to be seen! I am just joking Pascal.
Bill
 
This is one of those areas where any perceived notions of fairness might get you killed. Here's what I think of at night: Never assume that you can be seen, always keep a watch with your head on a swivel, never assume that the burdened vessel will follow the rules, etc. It may not be right, but the person at the helm of the oncoming boat might be drunk, blinded by too much on-board light, looking at a confusing array of lights ahead, pre-occupied with something else, etc. This is also one area where I think it's OK to switch on the spotlight -- but never aim it at the boat that's approaching -- you'll blind the helmsman. I like to sweep the water with the light between the two boats, then shut it off and look for signs of a course change. It's also good to remember that others may not be seeing what you're seeing. Night vision diminishes with age in some folks.
 
quote:
Originally posted by robedney

This is one of those areas where any perceived notions of fairness might get you killed. Here's what I think of at night: Never assume that you can be seen, always keep a watch with your head on a swivel, never assume that the burdened vessel will follow the rules, etc. It may not be right, but the person at the helm of the oncoming boat might be drunk, blinded by too much on-board light, looking at a confusing array of lights ahead, pre-occupied with something else, etc. This is also one area where I think it's OK to switch on the spotlight -- but never aim it at the boat that's approaching -- you'll blind the helmsman. I like to sweep the water with the light between the two boats, then shut it off and look for signs of a course change. It's also good to remember that others may not be seeing what you're seeing. Night vision diminishes with age in some folks.

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As the operator of a 13' Whaler, X2 on this! Only the paranoid survive!
 
quote:
Originally posted by caltexfla

quote:
Originally posted by robedney

This is one of those areas where any perceived notions of fairness might get you killed. Here's what I think of at night: Never assume that you can be seen, always keep a watch with your head on a swivel, never assume that the burdened vessel will follow the rules, etc. It may not be right, but the person at the helm of the oncoming boat might be drunk, blinded by too much on-board light, looking at a confusing array of lights ahead, pre-occupied with something else, etc. This is also one area where I think it's OK to switch on the spotlight -- but never aim it at the boat that's approaching -- you'll blind the helmsman. I like to sweep the water with the light between the two boats, then shut it off and look for signs of a course change. It's also good to remember that others may not be seeing what you're seeing. Night vision diminishes with age in some folks.

Click to expand...


As the operator of a 13' Whaler, X2 on this! Only the paranoid survive!

Click to expand...

Something the 3 of us all agree on!
Bill
 
quote:
Originally posted by Billylll

quote:
Originally posted by caltexfla

quote:
Originally posted by robedney

This is one of those areas where any perceived notions of fairness might get you killed. Here's what I think of at night: Never assume that you can be seen, always keep a watch with your head on a swivel, never assume that the burdened vessel will follow the rules, etc. It may not be right, but the person at the helm of the oncoming boat might be drunk, blinded by too much on-board light, looking at a confusing array of lights ahead, pre-occupied with something else, etc. This is also one area where I think it's OK to switch on the spotlight -- but never aim it at the boat that's approaching -- you'll blind the helmsman. I like to sweep the water with the light between the two boats, then shut it off and look for signs of a course change. It's also good to remember that others may not be seeing what you're seeing. Night vision diminishes with age in some folks.

Click to expand...


As the operator of a 13' Whaler, X2 on this! Only the paranoid survive!

Click to expand...

Something the 3 of us all agree on!
Bill

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Four!!!

Bob
 
I would suggest however that if the smaller boat is going to use a spot light, to shine it at the bigger boat but not at the captain. I few weeks ago I was entering my marina at night and someone in a small inflatable with no lights I may add, put the spotlight right into my eyes up on the flybridge. Need I tell you that I was blind for a while until I got my night vision. It made for interesting docking....
 
quote:
Originally posted by Victorias Secret

I would suggest however that if the smaller boat is going to use a spot light, to shine it at the bigger boat but not at the captain. I few weeks ago I was entering my marina at night and someone in a small inflatable with no lights I may add, put the spotlight right into my eyes up on the flybridge. Need I tell you that I was blind for a while until I got my night vision. It made for interesting docking....

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As clearly stated in Rob's post.

Bob
 
I know the guy that got hit, he is on my pier and he is a good guy.
He was in the channel leading back into the marina when he got hit by a boat at high speed crossing the channel in the dark. The boat stopped and circled after the hit and than sped of without making sure everyone was ok. My dockmate is all banged up and they are not sure he will fully recover, his girlfriend was on board too and she was the one to call for help on a cellphone.

Cor
 
Thanks for the details! Must have been just outside the mooring field, was the boat heading south? Late evening we often see boats heading back from downtown to the gables...

For a while now we ve been keeping cell phones in dry bags when sailing. If you get hit in a small boat and the boat is heavily damaged the VHF is unlikely to work We ve just got Lifeproof iPhone boxes, which are ultra thin yet waterfproof to 6' This accident shows it s a must have when on a small boat
 
Wow the story really stinks, I hope they find the A-ole who ran them over then circled and left. I suspect drinking might have been the big boats reason for fleeing the scene of an accident.
That's a terrible story and I hope they fully recover and the other boater's insurance is paid up!
Bill
 
quote:
Originally posted by Billylll

Wow the story really stinks, I hope they find the A-ole who ran them over then circled and left. I suspect drinking might have been the big boats reason for fleeing the scene of an accident.
That's a terrible story and I hope they fully recover and the other boater's insurance is paid up!
Bill

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+1. Leaving the scene is not only illegal it's immoral -- and maybe even homicide.
 
Bob I am aware it was clearly stated in an earlier post. I just wanted to pass along a recent personnel experience.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Billylll

Wow the story really stinks, I hope they find the A-ole who ran them over then circled and left. I suspect drinking might have been the big boats reason for fleeing the scene of an accident.

Click to expand...


It s called "pulling a Kennedy..."

Hide for few hours, long enough for your BAC to come down. I remember a couple of years ago, a nice sailboat had its bow rail turn out in Nantucket... Hit and run... Next day one if the Kennedy quietly paid for the damage.

Apparently the boat is a 20 to 30 CC, and may have come in thru the next channel where the ramps are. FWC cops were around the dock tonight

If so, if the whaler was coming back in, it would have been hit on stbd side.
 
quote:
Originally posted by PascalG

quote:
Originally posted by Billylll

Wow the story really stinks, I hope they find the A-ole who ran them over then circled and left. I suspect drinking might have been the big boats reason for fleeing the scene of an accident.

Click to expand...


It s called "pulling a Kennedy..."

Hide for few hours, long enough for your BAC to come down. I remember a couple of years ago, a nice sailboat had its bow rail turn out in Nantucket... Hit and run... Next day one if the Kennedy quietly paid for the damage.

Apparently the boat is a 20 to 30 CC, and may have come in thru the next channel where the ramps are. FWC cops were around the dock tonight

If so, if the whaler was coming back in, it would have been hit on stbd side.

Click to expand...

Pascal you had Robert until you had to ruin the vibe by making the Kennedy statement!
Bill
 
quote:
Originally posted by PascalG

quote:
Originally posted by Billylll

Wow the story really stinks, I hope they find the A-ole who ran them over then circled and left. I suspect drinking might have been the big boats reason for fleeing the scene of an accident.

Click to expand...


It s called "pulling a Kennedy..."

Hide for few hours, long enough for your BAC to come down. I remember a couple of years ago, a nice sailboat had its bow rail turn out in Nantucket... Hit and run... Next day one if the Kennedy quietly paid for the damage.

Apparently the boat is a 20 to 30 CC, and may have come in thru the next channel where the ramps are. FWC cops were around the dock tonight

If so, if the whaler was coming back in, it would have been hit on stbd side.

Click to expand...


I get the immediate impression I don't want to know the timeframe of the Nantucket incident (first I've heard of that particular one)...
 
Mike. I m surprised the rumors that were floating around the mooring field didn't make it to Brandt point :)

Obviously No excuse for fleeing but the whaler was indeed hit on its starboard side. A good reminder to keep your head on a swivel when on a small boat, especially near the entrance or just inside a channel where boats are likely to cross.

I m surprised It took an hour to find them on a calm clear night. The county high tech jet powered flir equipped fire boat is based just 5 miles away... Too bad her cell phone didn't have a gps. Time to make sure all know where to find lat/Lon on your phone..
 
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