Litotes
Well-Known Member
Some years ago I was travelling up the southern North Sea from a trip along the French coast. About 2 a.m. Flat calm so motoring. Just past the West Hinder and before the new "circulation system" was in place. Ships everywhere - both coming and going via the Dover Strait and crossing the N. Sea.
A succession of vessels passed ahead of me, mainly from port to starboard. One of these crossed ahead, perhaps three quarters or a mile away. I saw the sidelights disappear and the sternlight appear and thought - "another one safely past". Then I looked again and saw a starboard light, then both sidelights and steaming light. The vessel, a small coaster, was heading straight at me. As I watched, he made a U turn and crossed back ahead of me, this time about one third of a mile away.
This vessel then stopped, positioned on my port bow. I saw a man leave the wheelhouse and walk forward. Then a spotlight was turned on my boat for about 10 seconds. The man walked aft again and went back into the wheelhouse. The engines started up and the vessel moved off at considerable speed, passing astern of me and on a heading about 90 degrees different from the one it was on when it first appeared.
The only explanation I can think of is that this might have been a smuggling operation of some sort involving a rendez vous between the coaster and a yacht - and that my boat had been mistaken for the contact. I thought afterwards that I should have rung the coast guard (not a message to broadcast on the VHF, I think) but I didn't think to do so at the time.
If anyone can suggest any other possible explanation for this strange incident, I would be most interested.
A succession of vessels passed ahead of me, mainly from port to starboard. One of these crossed ahead, perhaps three quarters or a mile away. I saw the sidelights disappear and the sternlight appear and thought - "another one safely past". Then I looked again and saw a starboard light, then both sidelights and steaming light. The vessel, a small coaster, was heading straight at me. As I watched, he made a U turn and crossed back ahead of me, this time about one third of a mile away.
This vessel then stopped, positioned on my port bow. I saw a man leave the wheelhouse and walk forward. Then a spotlight was turned on my boat for about 10 seconds. The man walked aft again and went back into the wheelhouse. The engines started up and the vessel moved off at considerable speed, passing astern of me and on a heading about 90 degrees different from the one it was on when it first appeared.
The only explanation I can think of is that this might have been a smuggling operation of some sort involving a rendez vous between the coaster and a yacht - and that my boat had been mistaken for the contact. I thought afterwards that I should have rung the coast guard (not a message to broadcast on the VHF, I think) but I didn't think to do so at the time.
If anyone can suggest any other possible explanation for this strange incident, I would be most interested.
