Mondays 08/01/2011 Question and boating safety tip

CaptainScott · Post by **CaptainScott** » Mon Aug 01, 2011 6:15 am

Safety Tip:
Dropping anchor. We all know about it. Most of us know how much anchor rode we should put out. However, how many of us are truely aware of what is under us? Have you looked at a chart or cruising guide to see what the bottom is like where you wish to anchor? Do you consider other boats when you anchor? Do you think about the other boat and HIS anchor position? You most certainly don't want to drop anchor on top of his anchor or his rode. Will your boat swing over his anchor in the changing winds and currents? Speaking of swinging, do you circle the anchoring spot you are about to drop hook in looking for shallow spots or maybe rocks with your depth finder? Remember the human herding mentality. Just because a boat is anchored "over there" does not mean you have to anchor "over there"!!! Give the other boat some space! LOTS of space! Remember when we go sailing most of us are GETTING AWAY! Last thing we want is another boat anchored 50 feet from us in a huge bay! Most harbors are plenty big for you to anchor safely and at a pleasant distance from other boats!
We recently returned from our yearly trip sailing up North. Again we were first to enter a nice quiet harbor. We took the lessor desirable spot in the anchorage in hopes of the other boaters seeing the "good spot" was open and leave us some space. It was not to be. Since we were anchored "over there" that must be the better area so guess what . . . . You got it! The best spot was left empty and the other boat slipped right in close to us. Go figure. So, when you set your anchor it is better to know what the bottom is like, what the weather will be, anddo not simply rely on the fact there is another boat and anchor by him!!

Question:
A very real life situation happend to us this year. We were transiting Mosquito Pass. I was following my charts through the snake shaped channel. The clearly marked channel. The exit of the channel is a very wide bay relative to the rest of the channel. However at the extreme South end of the channel the bouys indicate a very very narrow channel to transit. The boat ahead of us ignored the markers and headed out dead center of the bay. So the simple question. Do I follow the boat or follow the chart? Clearly the boater MUST have local knowledge because only a fool would shoot across THAT area!

Further reading:
If you are interested, Here is a great article on some of the "Scariest" areas where we like to play. Mosquito Pass is number 3 in this list and a chart snippit is there for you to see the area we go through. We've been through most of these areas without incedent. Learn your charts and how to use them. Tides here are also critical so learn the tide tables and current tables.
Enjoy!
http://www.usps.org/seattle/images/link ... 0Visit.pdf

Alanhod · Post by **Alanhod** » Mon Aug 01, 2011 6:21 pm

I would obey the markers, then the charts and not follow the boat in front of me. I've seen so called local knowledge in action and that can get expensive.

If the channel is marked follow the marks could be a new issue just outside the markers like a large sunken boat, which I have seen in Agate Pass clearly marked.

I have also seen local knowledge run aground many times just outside the channel I normally travel. True that mostly happened on low tides but still you should see these powerboats flat out, hair on fire, beer in hand, slide headlong into the sandbar/mud flying as they go. Then the stop real fast and start calling for a tow after they managed to get 100 yards into the shallows with the tide still dropping. I saw this very event the very first time I ever went up that channel to the new marine.

I have been tempted to just scoot out there on a high tide with the keel up but no, I sail around jetty Island and call it good and skip the short cut.

Thanks
Alan

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Wed Aug 03, 2011 8:03 pm

Local Bubba's can be as un-smart as people who have never been in the area. 1) There is no way to know the boat is a locally knowledgable person - that is an assumption. 2) I'd rather trust the Coat Guard and their researched and placed bouys for safety.

CaptainScott · Post by **CaptainScott** » Thu Aug 04, 2011 6:15 am

WOW ! It is Thursday already! Where did the week go?

ANSWER:

FOLLOW YOUR CHART!

This question is indeed inspired by what happened to us. I bring it up because I was so surprised and totally amazed at how strong my desire was to just follow "that guy"!! This area is notorious for groundings. I know the channel well. I know each and every marker and where Destiny needs to be. I know her draft, and I know the depth of the waters. I even know how to make a long sweeping arch while transiting part of this area since the channel bends around even though the markers almost make it look straight. Yet . . . . ."That guy mad it!" Why can't I just sneak through saving maybe 5 minutes . . . . . . The desire to follow was so strong I actually got my chart out and confirmed my knowledge of the area! I guess it is a bit of a sheep mentality we all have. If he can do it . . . .

So remember to trust your charts, instruments and use a Costco sized bucket of common sense!

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Thu Aug 04, 2011 3:36 pm

Yay! I finally got one right!!