Pilotage Done Properly

[westhinder]

Has anyone read the article on pilotage in this January’s Yachting Monthly?
Am I alone in finding this way over the top and a classic case of overthinking it? If you were to do it as is described, you probably wouldn’t leave your berth either because it all seems so complicated and dangerous or because by the time you have finished your preparations you would have missed the tide.

 

[DanTribe]

Our granddaughter came to Holland with us and was keen to learn how to navigate "properly". So I showed how to calculate tidal heights, tidal vectors, compass variation etc. By then I sensed I was losing her attention so said we just pressed "Ostend" on the GPS routes page.
It is worth doing it the old way occasionally because you do forget how.

 

[ctva]

Has anyone read the article on pilotage in this January’s Yachting Monthly?
Am I alone in finding this way over the top and a classic case of overthinking it? If you were to do it as is described, you probably wouldn’t leave your berth either because it all seems so complicated and dangerous or because by the time you have finished your preparations you would have missed the tide.

Please elaborate as to why. I have not read the article so would be interested to hear what was said that was overthinking and what you think was appropriate?

 

[zoidberg]

I fired up my unused 'Chrissy Present' Readly, opened up the relevant mag, and read Justin Morton's article on pilotage. Certainly, it was thorough.

As someone who used to plan mil low-level strike sorties - and execute them now and then - I'm quite wedded to the 'plan things as though your life depends on it' school of thought and enjoy, now and then, digging down to that level of intensity. It's not for everyone, nor everywhere.... and I accept the choice of Salcombe as an illustrative example in the magazine.

I found his concept of constructing a model of the 'target' harbour intriguing. Might struggle to find room for that! I do agree, however, with his sketch-map and detailed preparation as the basis for 'memorising the plan'.... or what some academics would call Cognitive Rehearsal. Cold War Vulcan and other aircrews would spend many hours on 'Target Study', memorising every last detail of where they were going and how they would get there. And several 'Plan Bs' for the inevitable forced change of route/timing/weather/speed. I can still 'run' some crucial route-sections like videos in my head, after some decades. And I'm far from the only one...

'What-ifing' is VIP....

It's also VIP to pre-plan a point and set of conditions which require a Go/No Go decision. And then what....

My pernickety approach adds the intention to run from a planned Initial Fix, at the set speed of 6kts - or 3kts in poor viz - which allows me to do simple mental arithmetic for DR position as we progress. I mark expected time-elapsed adjacent to expected points.
i.e. 6 knots = 60 cables in 60 minutes = 1 cable per minute.
'At 4 minutes, a Port Hand Marker. At 7 minutes, MinDepth of 3m. At 11 minutes, intersect Leading Daymarks 016T.....'
At 3 knots, each segment takes twice as long. At 2 knots, each segment takes thrice as long.

I've used this 'full-on' approach e.g. running the Chenal Relec/Chenal Meridionale de Portsall down into the Chenal du Four in fog, and entering Loch Moidart and Arisaig/Loch Nan Seall for the first time s/handed.

 

[mrming]

I haven’t read the article, but I got a particular pilot book for Xmas which I have been looking forward to getting. I own many pilot books and cruising guides, so I’m pretty familiar with the format. In this case I was disappointed to find the vast majority of the book is devoted to safety advice, and far less to actual passage planning. The book also assumes you have an 11m yacht and asks you to re-plan accordingly if you don’t. I could have got the info I actually need from the web. If a less experienced sailor picked up this book they would likely give up all ambition of sailing in the area and buy a caravan instead.

 

[justanothersailboat]

Surely picking the right detail level is part of the skill, but to do that, you have to be able to do the detail work so you're able to make the choice?

(not that I think I'll ever get to the Zoidberg level here)

 

[wonkywinch]

I enjoy the planning part of sailing and come from an aviation background where the 7 Ps are the bedrock.

(Proper Planning and Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance).

Last summer I worked up a course to steer from Alderney to the Needles buoy based on channel tides etc and came up with 010M.



I set that on the autothelm and let nature do it's work. The result was very satisfying.

 

[SaltyC]

As a traditionalist I too felt it over the top, construct 3D models - really?

However, considering what was written and what I do, not that far apart. Is it that the written word takes far longer to write in full detail than it takes with experience? Detail 120% and hopefully people do 100%?

In essence I agree with everything written, familiarise yourself with the area, far easier with paper charts to get a visualisation and topographical understanding of land features than scrolling on a small screen.

Understand where the 'deep ' water is at any given time etc.

Perhaps it is an RAF thing, being used to travelling at 600knots not 6? I have tought theory to an ex pilot and it took a long time for him to relate to the difference, however his navigational awareness was excellent!

Overall, I felt the article was a good explanation of good practice, if you do 70% of what was written you will cover 99% of situations and have less stress entering new harbours.

At the risk of invoking the wrath of the keyboards, you would be far better equipped in the event of problems occurring than someone who just placed waypoints on a plotter and follieed the line.

That us not to say you don't then 'follow the line' but if something goes wrong, engine fails and have to raise sails? You have the awareness to get out of jail not being glued to a screen.

 

[Frank Holden]

I wrote this some 8 years ago. It involves both pilotage and planning -maybe.
'
A simple plan... head off after lunch on Friday afternoon... a 16 mile run down to my mate's 'bach' on Isla Puluqui and back to Pto Montt on Sunday.

A bonzer weekend was had by all... we even had a sail up and drawing for about an hour on the way north.

We did have a bit of fun on the way down. A later departure -1600 - than planned and with sunset at 1730 meant that the last hour and a half would be in the dark but no probs there... the run in through the chorito ( mussel ) farms would be 'up moon' and the moon was almost full.

Unfortunately no plan survives first contact .... with fog.

And so it was with about 2 miles yet to run and us still on the outside of the chorito farms. First the lights of Calbuco vanished, then the lights of the fishing boat a mile ahead vanished ... we felt our way onwards with vis down to a few hundred metres... a whistle.... a white light ahead... a call of 'caballero..caballero!' from out of the murk. Then we found we had run up a bit of a blind gulch... reversed our course and tried again further out. Found another gap and soon came up with a local workboat - them of the white light - with a rope around her prop being slowly rowed home. Offered them a tow which they declined.
Now the depth is down to 4 metres and the blackness of the land is close ahead. Right hand down a bit and thirty minutes later we are entertaining Simon, our 6 year old grumete, with 'Chicken Run' while I knock up some beef stew.'

 

[Sandy]

As a traditionalist I too felt it over the top, construct 3D models - really?

Did they suggest what these 3D models could be made from?

Pilotage is not that difficult, we all do it in our own way. For me in a new complicated river or harbour it is a wee sketch plan and a narrative of buoyage, distances, course and times at a certain speed.

 

[johnalison]

I did flip through the article and put it into “something to read if I get laid up with ‘flu” category. I think that it does no harm for those early in their sailing life to learn all the basic principles, but most passages don’t need as much attention. On passage, there might be just one or two critical points, such as a headland or tidal gate, or, as I found in Sweden, the odd dangerous rock that wasn’t visible above water, and I usually confine myself to assessing these factors only.

For a new harbour, I am very much in favour of learning to read a simple harbour chart. There might be an additional feature such as a transit to follow, but memorising the basic layout and if necessary lights has always proved sufficient for me. I think the only times I have felt confused were when entering familiar harbours in unfamiliar conditions.

 

[rotrax]

I enjoy the planning part of sailing and come from an aviation background where the 7 Ps are the bedrock.

(Proper Planning and Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance).

Last summer I worked up a course to steer from Alderney to the Needles buoy based on channel tides etc and came up with 010M.

View attachment 187480

I set that on the autothelm and let nature do it's work. The result was very satisfying.

View attachment 187481

The first time I did a Channel Crossing as Skipper we overnighted from Portsmouth in a 37 footer. First Mate and a Yachtmaster qualified pal were crew. The boat had no plotter. I worked out a course from charts/tide tables at home and made a passage plan. As we encountered a strongish SSW wind - up to 22 kts - on the day, I allowed for a bit more leeway.

I remember my pal saying " You jammy ####ard! Thats Bray right on the nose!

"Oh, really" I proudly replied" Bit of luck, that is what I was aiming for!"

As Uncle Tom Cunliffe tries to achieve, we were upwind and uptide too!

Pity it does not always work out so well.............................

 

[capnsensible]

Did they suggest what these 3D models could be made from?

Scratch?

 

[mjcoon]

Please elaborate as to why. I have not read the article so would be interested to hear what was said that was overthinking and what you think was appropriate?

I at least dipped into the first part of the article. It is very clear that the author anticipates exactly the OP's reaction, and attempts to address that criticism. IIRC the main riposte is that by preparing numerous sketch maps of intended and alternative routes the navigator becomes deeply aware of all possible sits rep in advance. OK for a brain as big as a planet, perhaps...

 

[Wansworth]

Off the coast of death….”costa de morte”………having read up in the pilot book and studied the chart and then worried about the iron bound granite coast I entered Laxe at 002 hours y following a fishing boat…..

 

[AntarcticPilot]

One of the advantages of the often maligned RYA emphasis on chart work is that if you are confident and familiar with charts, it is a fairly simple matter to keep a mental picture of your expected passage in mind. Interestingly, I once saw research that indicated that the creation of mental maps starts very early in childhood; and that toddlers below the age of two can create a mental map of objects in an area.

In waters I am unfamiliar with, I like to have a chart to hand, but when planning a passage in unfamiliar waters, I spend time making sure I have the main points of the chart (dangers etc.) in mind. But I am not an advocate of precise planning of tidal offsets and CTS; reality will soon present situations where your beautiful sums fall apart!

I agree that the idea of model making is completely OTT! But certainly spend time considering how a harbour entrance will appear from seaward.

I'm not a good person to advise on how you build up your personal mental map - a lifetime working with maps means I can gain a good mental picture from a fairly brief glance! But I'd argue that any planning for unfamiliar waters should include creating a mental map of the area to be covered, and during the passage a regular check of what you can see against that mental map. If the two start to diverge, then you need to reconnect the two!

 

[Wansworth]

Interestingly I recall a weather map give to us by the Belgian pilot on boarding at Antwerpen……it was the North Sea from the Belgiancoast north up with a strange land mass off the coast,that was the UK

 

[mjcoon]

... creating a mental map of the area to be covered, and during the passage a regular check of what you can see against that mental map. If the two start to diverge, then you need to reconnect the two!

I understand that is how brains work more generally, adjusting an ongoing mental map against sensations. To an IT (ex-IT) person that suggests microcode operating below the level of conscious thought...

 

[capnsensible]

From what I've seen coaching students over the past couple of decades.....as with most things sailing......simple is best.

A screen often tells you what has just happened rather than looking forward to the next bit, especially in winding entrances.

So a few simple techniques, easily planned in advance will crack the nut.

A large scale tidal curve, made up for the day, gives heights at a glance. A tide stream atlas will give you any cross tides on the approach.,

A sheet of A4 or a similar size whiteboard ( my preference) can show a simple sketch that can be seen by everyone in the cockpit. As others have said, drawing a simple sketch helps fix things in one's mind. Typical mistake at this stage though is to try and reproduce the chart....

Hazards, depths and navigation marks are easy to draw. Plus, with great value are transits (can often form your own), clearance bearings, back bearings etc gives a clear indication of tidal set and leeway. Plus when you are quite busy operating the boat, with or without crew plus looking out and applying IRPCS in a busy place, those depths and bearings are keep you safe at a glance tools.

This sort of stuff was taught to me by some real nautical experts and its a pleasure for me to practice and pass it on. Some navigators find themselves getting a bit overwhelmed, especially in the dark. So a simple plan keeps you in charge of the boat rather than getting flustered. In my opinion!

For great learning, try a rib course navigating at speed in the dark. Carried out with pre planning, it's safe and satisfying. With practice!

 

[AntarcticPilot]

I understand that is how brains work more generally, adjusting an ongoing mental map against sensations. To an IT (ex-IT) person that suggests microcode operating below the level of conscious thought...

As long as what you can see takes priority over the mental map, it should be self-correcting. But there are many cases where a person's attempts to force what they can see into their mental map has resulted in accidents. It seems to be particularly common in aircraft crashes, where pilots have lost situational awareness.