Night Navigation

[Happy1]

I have just returned after a 3hr excercise in night time navigation. I took the boat out on my own and spent a few hours in familiar territory up and down the river Medway to get a feeling for night navigation. It was as I thought, a totally different experience, my senses were alerted to more of what was around. I bought some Binos from Milltech a couple of weeks ago with the compass in, they were brilliant, helped no end, and easy to use (thanks milltech). I turned off the chart plotter and got a sense of achievment in plotting my position on the charts by using back bearings and triangulation, all good stuff to my mind anyway.

Do any of you have any hints from your experiences on navigating at night that you could share with me, or any horror stories /forums/images/icons/wink.gif of things to avoid.

Thank you in anticipation.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>

 

[kingfisher]

All blinky lights: navigational markers
All fixed lights: other ships, cars, trafic lights

i find that night navigation is either the most beautifull thing that you can do, or the scariest.

Do not sail from one light to the other directly: there could be unlit markers inbetween (things that go bump in the night, and leave a green mark on your boat :-/

<hr width=100% size=1>Group of people on the pontoon: skipper is the one with the toolbox.
http://sirocco31.tripod.com

 

[BrendanS]

>>things to avoid<<

Don't do club night exercises anywhere near Portsmouth a few weeks after 9/11, even if you have notified the authorities before hand

<hr width=100% size=1>Err, let me know if Depsol enters the forum, I'll go and hide

 

[martinwoolwich]

A New toy for Happy1

Happy,

Try stabilising binos - Fantastic for night navigation. Stops all those long distance lights looking like fireworks easy to tell backgound lights (ie street lights, car headlights) from navigation lights. Only problem is they cost about £800 quid. Pretty good in daylight too. Best is Fujnion IMHO of course


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[Renegade_Master]

Hi Pete you should get a respose for Nick2 or Joanne, as Phil & I had them night navigating down Thames and right up Medway to Chatham on their maiden voyage out.
It was laudable that you turned off the plotter and started using bearings, but it must have been hard examining the charts for buoy info i.e. light sequence,bearing etc, whilst going along in the dark on your own, trying to right it down.

Next time try doing a passage plan before leaving, by listing the buoys as they will appear (buoy hoping) noteing the light sequence for each plus the bearing and the distance between, then by setting your speed you can work out at which point you should reach each buoy and thus know where you are at all times.

One more thing look out for the big ships (ask Nick about the one at the mouth to the Medway on our trip) and give them plenty of room CGN

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.suncoastmarine.co.uk>Sun Coast Sea School & Charter</A>

 

[oldgit]

Also watch for the big tugs around Isle of Grain.
They have a special night throttle setting,WOT.
The wash is like hitting brick wall.Twice.
Trying to dig your teeth out of the dashboard in the dark is no fun.

<hr width=100% size=1>Two boats please one here n one in the Med

 

[Happy1]

Re: A New toy for Happy1

I had a look at those, a very interesting concept, but a bit out of my budget. I opted for the Steiner 7 x 50 (which is meant to be the best size for marine use) from allgadgets reduced from £299 to £219, they are fantastic quality and have the compass built in, which lights up at night. His price is a genuine saving, and I do believe that in a few weeks some of the Steiners will go up £90 each due to the fluctuation in the Euro, there is something on Scuttlebutt about that.

Thanks for the info anyway.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>

 

[Russell]

They got me during the day once. 2 of them were racing past the power station and the boat felt like it took off vertically ! Even the ladder slid out. It was the same feeling I had when motocrossing, hanging in the air and wondering which way up it would land....

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[Happy1]

Thanks I will do, I have experienced them in the daytime and was surprised even at low speed what wash they gave.

Thanks,

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>

 

[jimi]

Buy a big white board and write down the lights and their characteristics. Lot easier than squinting at a chart. Big white board is a very useful item ti have on a boat .. if you've got any room!!

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[Happy1]

Hi Jimi, thanks, I have actually been using the white grp to write on with a chinagraph pen, it works very well, there are benefits to a plastic boat perhaps /forums/images/icons/wink.gif. The pen is useful for any notes e.g. radio messages, as I have a big white space I can write on, it comes off without a problem. It is really amazing what you see at night that you miss during the day. Last night was my first attempt, I will gradually work my my out until I am doing some coastal night time navigation, but those big ships certainly can creap up on you, i'm glad I have my rear view mirror /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>

 

[milltech]

Buoy Hoping...sounds like my navigation

<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>

 

[milltech]

First time on the Caledonian, running too late, steered for a port hand marker, but just in time it turned amber and then red! Temporary road works.

<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>

 

[Observer]

Odd sequence - red - amber - red?

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[milltech]

Ah yes, writing without brain in gear. Bang goes my credability! I was just thinking about the experience as I wrote it, and it was to port that I steered.

<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>
<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by milltech on 09/07/2003 10:39 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[jimi]

Funny name for a boat "credability" .... did you name it after your cooker?

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[milltech]

Nah, that was back in the 80's, more credit-ability.

<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>

 

[dickh]

Avoid moving(slowly) large block of flats.... High Speed Ferry out of Harwich.....

<hr width=100% size=1>dickh
I'd rather be sailing... /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[Renegade_Master]

Harwich thats miles way, Oh I get your point

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.suncoastmarine.co.uk>Sun Coast Sea School & Charter</A>

 

[kengill]

Remember to keep your charts updated.

We once missed a change that was posted on a Friday because I bought the new chart in the morning. When we went aground following the wrong light it turned out that the characteristic of this light had been changed that day and was a repeat of the buoy we thought we were going to 2 miles away. We reported the anomaly on the monday and were informed it would be changed forthwith.

No damage - just soft mud - But poor old Vasco was having a fit. Me I took a quick look at the chimney(conspic) and Brambles bank and realised where we actually were and powered off - but it could have been serious - we might have missed the pub.