- Joined
- Jan 1, 2000
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- 3238
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http://www.nola.com/outdoors/index.ssf/2016/10/fisherman_slams_set_of_pilings.html
Sigh. Another one. No fatalities, though.
Highlights:
Fisherman out past sunset. Been fishing the same area for about 3 decades.
Moonless night.
Following the GPS track he dropped on the way out.
Was operating at about 29 mpg.
Claims both occupants were looking ahead at the time when they struck the pilings.
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He might have seen the pilings if he had not destroyed his night vision stating at the GPS...
He might not have damaged the boat if he had been traveling slow enough to react when he actually did see the pilings.
Had no VHF, but ( purely by accident ) was able to use cellphone, as well as trigger manual EPIRB.
He reports he was following the "rabbit droppings" dropped on the way out, but since he only hit the pilings on the way in, I suspect he was not following the path very closely, and/or forgot that GPS, while often pretty accurate, can can have a fair amount of error; enough to be "exactly on track" and quite solidly aground.
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Boating at night can be safe, but it is different. You must respect the special conditions. At least one party must preserve night-vision and stand a proper watch. You should go slow enough to respond to "surprises". A GPS does not warn you of moveable items in your path ( does not apply in this case ).
Have a mounted VHF and know it's proper usage.
I am delighted that events conspired to keep them alive. It was not a certain thing, but they could have greatly reduced or eliminated the "accident" by more closely observing proper operating procedures for night operations.
I am delighted they made it home.
Highlights:
Fisherman out past sunset. Been fishing the same area for about 3 decades.
Moonless night.
Following the GPS track he dropped on the way out.
Was operating at about 29 mpg.
Claims both occupants were looking ahead at the time when they struck the pilings.
----------
He might have seen the pilings if he had not destroyed his night vision stating at the GPS...
He might not have damaged the boat if he had been traveling slow enough to react when he actually did see the pilings.
Had no VHF, but ( purely by accident ) was able to use cellphone, as well as trigger manual EPIRB.
He reports he was following the "rabbit droppings" dropped on the way out, but since he only hit the pilings on the way in, I suspect he was not following the path very closely, and/or forgot that GPS, while often pretty accurate, can can have a fair amount of error; enough to be "exactly on track" and quite solidly aground.
----------
Boating at night can be safe, but it is different. You must respect the special conditions. At least one party must preserve night-vision and stand a proper watch. You should go slow enough to respond to "surprises". A GPS does not warn you of moveable items in your path ( does not apply in this case ).
Have a mounted VHF and know it's proper usage.
I am delighted that events conspired to keep them alive. It was not a certain thing, but they could have greatly reduced or eliminated the "accident" by more closely observing proper operating procedures for night operations.
I am delighted they made it home.
One on the lighted instruments, one dark-adapted lookout.