A
Anonymous
Guest
Ferries are always a big concern for me, at night, when we are under sail in light airs especially rounding headlands where we all tend to choose much the same waypoints.
For example, approaching Elba at around 4am in late August, I was early (didn't want to enter the harbour in the dark) and light airs so was making about 2.5 kts with several ferries coming up right behind me -- like being on the M25. I had the powerful torch out and played it on the sails every time they approached. EDIT: Just remembered that there was one that didn't alter course until I played the torch on his bridge. I would never, ever, assume that they can see me and am always alert until I see them alter course. You can't do much with a light breeze up your chuff, making 2.5 kts. Ferries are a bigger navigational headache than freight or passenger liners....I suppose it's because they do it so often and have a rigid timetable?
The more sailing I do at night in areas of high passenger ferry density, the more understandable the Ouzo tragedy becomes, to me. At a certain distance, the accident is GOING to happen. There is little you can do about it. It's amazing just how quickly these situations seem to develop.
For example, approaching Elba at around 4am in late August, I was early (didn't want to enter the harbour in the dark) and light airs so was making about 2.5 kts with several ferries coming up right behind me -- like being on the M25. I had the powerful torch out and played it on the sails every time they approached. EDIT: Just remembered that there was one that didn't alter course until I played the torch on his bridge. I would never, ever, assume that they can see me and am always alert until I see them alter course. You can't do much with a light breeze up your chuff, making 2.5 kts. Ferries are a bigger navigational headache than freight or passenger liners....I suppose it's because they do it so often and have a rigid timetable?
The more sailing I do at night in areas of high passenger ferry density, the more understandable the Ouzo tragedy becomes, to me. At a certain distance, the accident is GOING to happen. There is little you can do about it. It's amazing just how quickly these situations seem to develop.
