In the dock

[Seakindly]

A confession: Was making a long night passage inshore last weekend and came upon a mysterious cluster of lights that resolved much closer into two vessels. One a large ship at anchor showing every light but the christmas tree and a second smaller vessel. The latter was a collection of white lights and it later became clear it was the rear working lights of a small fishing vessel, probably dredging for shellfish I guess as it was close inland. I didn't work that out until it turned round and headed back on reciprocal course to me showing correct lights for trawling. As he passed he came close enough to bellow a barrage of obcenities to effect I should watch where I was effing going. I would usually stay well clear of any likely fishing activities, but on this occasion misunderstood the forest of lights, and misjudged distance when one set of bright lights were intermingled with those of another boat much further orf. The incident rankles with me as I live in a small fishing town and the last thing I want to do is screw up some fisher's livelihood. Could I have handled this situation any better other than holding my course in uncertain circumstances? hmm. Hope trawlermen don't read scuttlebutt. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[fireball]

If you ain't got a clue what it is then surely it is better to give it a wide berth!!

 

[Seakindly]

Um -yes, wide berth. But apart from judging distance off as further away, there were some constraints on said wide berthing.
hh

 

[Richard10002]

[ QUOTE ]
and a second smaller vessel. The latter was a collection of white lights and it later became clear it was the rear working lights of a small fishing vessel, probably dredging for shellfish I guess as it was close inland. I didn't work that out until it turned round and headed back on reciprocal course to me showing correct lights for trawling.

[/ QUOTE ]

I wouldnt worry about it - if he has such a mass of bright white lights at his stern that other vessels cant make out his fishing lights, then that's his problem, (and a problem with many fishing boats), and he deserved a barrage back.

His green and white are probably the minimum brightness he can get away with, and his working lights are probably the brightest he can afford.

Your attitude is right ... keep clear and dont interfere with them so they can get on with earning a living, but if they look like they are anchored, or part of another vessel, or just a bunch of bright white lights, what are we supposed to think.

 

[alec]

I can sympathise lots. Judging distance at night is next to impossible.

Can't think of much else to suggest other than selling something and buying radar.






'What's wrong with pear shaped then ?'

 

[PeterGibbs]

It's amazing what a pair of binocs can do to resolve those difficult encounters at night. Saves having to go right up to their exhaust pipe to establish course and intention....

My early experiences at night were not a lot different to your own, but cheer up, you develop a feeling with time - close encounters are things not teachable in those nice cosy RYA classes....

PWG

 

[Seakindly]

Aw, I feel small. Bin sailing twenty years including pond-crossing and my crew has single-handed the Atlantic 5 times. What this incident taught me was inshore passage daytime fine, night passage; offshore more! I did use the bins, and dragged my crew from well earned kip for second opinion. But the 'getting a feel with time' strikes a nagging chord. I came to sailing quite late -in my thirties, and even twenty years on, my brought-up-on-it pals seem to have that smarter instinct. Maybe we're born to it better than learning it?

 

[MasterofHera]

The Squid are here off Lossiemouth its the same at night, lights everywhere and none making any sence. Talking of trawlermen see how many of them never stop fishing even when tied up in harbour!

 

[Gordonmc]

I guess the moral is to keep questioning in your own mind and never make assumptions about what lights are all about.
Last weekend I was entering a harbour about an hour after dark looking for entrance lights against a backdrop of sodium streetlights, shop lights, cars et al. I saw the flashing green... and two flashing reds, one brighter than the other.
My course altered to go just the starboard of the brighter red which of course was the tail light of a car parked 100 metres from the harbour port mark.
Quick correction called for.

 

[Richard10002]

You also need to be careful that the flashing green isnt a fish and chip shop!

 

[Seakindly]

Yup -very nearly landed on the beach first time into Weymouth at night mistaking some WW memorial celebrations on esplanade for harbour lights.