Anti-collision strobe

[ QUOTE ]
Certainly the carrying of anti-collision strobes is widespread in the US, in my experience, but like others I am uncomfortable about using a device that is outside of the colregs for the reasons stated above.

[/ QUOTE ]

Don't disagree with you, but thought it was an interesting point as a white strobe is in the US inland rules - it is an approved distress signal; and it is in Canada as well. Personal locator lights tend to be strobes, and they have a detrimental effect on one's own night-vision, so I would rather find another alternative to make my boat more visible. Look forward to seeing other suggestions.

Kevin
 
More years ago than I care to remember I was commiting aviation in helicopters on behalf of Her Majesty. On a States visit we found all the USN aircrew using handy little strobes as part of their survival kit which they attached to their helmets with a little velcro patch. Being the entrpreneurs that we were we nicked a load and kept them in our lifejackets. On return to UK we got them checked and within 6 months they were issued as standard to all RN aircrew. They were found to have by far the best visibility of any system as the light is so intensive. As far as I know they are still in use today as survival location aids. If they are good enough for downed aircrew in the oggin then why not yotties? The arguments about mistaking them for buoys etc clearly isn't an issue. If the military use them then surely so can we.
 
Been following this with some interest. I don't think a white strobe is the answer as it is easily confused with a buoy or a lifejacket in the water (all ours are fitted with strobes)

There's no doubt that cyclists have become much more visible these days by using flashing high intensity led lights. The duty cycle is low (brief flash) so they don't eat batteries but the effect is great. Just need to come up with a sensible colour scheme so they cannot be confused with other lights. Maybe synchronised red over green, which is the traditional colours for a sailing boat?

I've night sailed through the area where Ouzo was lost many times, and have had some close encounters over the years. It's an area where ferries go full away and it can catch you out if you're not expecting the turn and increase in speed
 
Quite seriously I think a laser pointing straight up in the air is the biz , so a laser beam pulsing red and green straight into the air is visibible and marks precisely where you are.
 
Re: steamer scarer

A friend who crewed for us from Madeira to Tenerife brought out a new 3 million candlepower jobbie for us. We were very pleased to have it when we were nearly run down coming into Santa Cruz de Tenerife at four in the morning. Too close to take chances so shone it straight at the bridge - it worked.

I thought most people had these on board, so why bother with a strobe? We do have friends who have a masthead strobe - they crossed to Brazil with it earlier this year and didn;t get run down once, so it must work - but it is designed to be on all the time and is of course totally unacceptable in colregs terms.

- Nick
 
I think the whole point of lasers is they keep all the light confined to a narrow beam - can see them for miles, but only in the direction aimed. I do like the idea of a high-intensity flashing red over green. Also wholeheartedly endorse the use of white strobe lights for emergency use - manoverboard or otherwise. I always carry one - bought at a divers' shop; waterproof and runs on a C cell. I've also seen them in West Marine.

Kevin
 
Re: steamer scarer

Nick

Think you need to read the report again, especially the sequence of events leading to the loss

You had time to get the torch out and shine it at the bridge. Ouzo wouldn't have had

Tom
 
Re: steamer scarer

[ QUOTE ]
You had time to get the torch out and shine it at the bridge. Ouzo wouldn't have had

[/ QUOTE ] In fact they had a 1 million power light at least according to the report. We will never know if they did not have time to use it or if it failed.
 
Re: steamer scarer

They also had VHF and flares on board so my conclusion agrees 100% with MAIB that the gradual change of course of the ferry caught them out and it was too late by the time they'd realised what was happening
 
Re: steamer scarer

[ QUOTE ]
You had time to get the torch out and shine it at the bridge.

[/ QUOTE ] - kept just inside the companionway - takes about three seconds.

And anyway this was nothing to do with the actual accident - it was in response to people who were proposing other anti-collision solutions such as strobes, spreader lights etc.

- Nick
 
Re: steamer scarer

As to what happened aboard Ouzo, it's all speculative isn't it? Report indicated that PoB was steady on its new course for about 4 minutes prior to the incident (collision? close interaction?). Visibility was supposed to be good, so we can only guess they were fooled into thinking the ferry would pass clear - or they were completely unaware that it was there. I agree that the MAIB report is very good, with very sound recommendations.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top