damn this is sad
- Thread starter dylanwinter
- Start date
Seajet
...
There seems to be a problem - and this happens in flying too, seen it done, sadly - whereby people get to a stage they think " I'm bloody experienced I am, a lesser mortal wouldn't do this ( set off through a reef at night, maybe after drinking too ) but I'm that good I can ignore the laws of common sense "
As you say, very sad; I suppose at least no-one was hurt.
As you say, very sad; I suppose at least no-one was hurt.
Nicholas123
N/A
"Maybe it's because wood yachts are organic, like us humans, that we find the loss of a wooden boat to be more depressing than the loss of a fiberglass or steel boat."
Can't agree with that.At least it's biodegradable!
Can't agree with that.At least it's biodegradable!
TQA
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Not heard for sure but it sounds like the classic error of not waiting for good light and using the mark 1 eyeball to thread your way through the reefs.
The reefs off southern Grenada claim their share of boats every year, esp. those that rely on plotters.
The reefs off southern Grenada claim their share of boats every year, esp. those that rely on plotters.
westernman
Well-Known Member
Looks a bit like some one thinking it is easy because they have a chart plotter. Just follow the desired line on the chart - no problem.
Not realizing that while the GPS position may be accurate to 15M or so, the charts in the plotter where made by Captain Cook before GPS was invented.
Actually if it is a narrow pass, your GPS may well not be accurate enough to get through it even if your charts are 100% accurate.
Remember that your GPS is accurate to 15M or so only 99% of the time.
Not realizing that while the GPS position may be accurate to 15M or so, the charts in the plotter where made by Captain Cook before GPS was invented.
Actually if it is a narrow pass, your GPS may well not be accurate enough to get through it even if your charts are 100% accurate.
Remember that your GPS is accurate to 15M or so only 99% of the time.
Seajet
...
I don't think the suggestion is that this boat was wrecked due to following a plotter, that was a general comment.
I got the impression the skipper of the Raindancer knows the area but pushed his luck trying to get through the gap in the reef in the dark - after a party.
I got the impression the skipper of the Raindancer knows the area but pushed his luck trying to get through the gap in the reef in the dark - after a party.
TQA
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He was in Clarks Court Bay for the dinghy concert and left late to return to the Le Phare Bleu marina in the next bay. As you can see there are reefs on both sides of the entrance. I am pretty sure the buoys shown are not all there and are unlit. Plus as always in the Caribbean they might not be in the right places. [ French islands excepted ]
westernman
Well-Known Member
That entrance looks to be about 120M wide at most.
I have no idea how accurate the chart is there - but I have seen errors > 100M in the Med. Add on GPS error - your GPS is good to about 12M 95% of the time. Which means that 5% of the time, it is more than in error....
So you are relying on the buoys all being there, seeing them and that they are more or less in the right place.....
I would only be attempting that in broad daylight, in calm conditions with someone half way up the mast with some binoculars.