Sea Guide rocks my world. Puttering around,
discovering and rediscovering a love for this
great country, sparking a renewed love of life,
and ... a whooping great ferryboat passed us
on our starboard side, not four boat lengths
away. Steel sides rising like cliffs, three
crew on the bridge looking in our direction,
mouthing ‘boo!’
A few seconds later, the wake of the ferryboat
smashed into us and rocked away all residue
smugness. It is called a wake because it rocks
you a-wakey-wakey.
We survived a most shocking experience,
shocking and yet a useful lesson for life.
It put the wind up me to think that was
almost the end of our cruise, the end of Sea
Guide, the end of us. It pays to keep a good
lookout behind you.HOW TO AVOID COLLISION AT SEA
Will I take my own advice? I will if you will.
Take a yacht skipper course, where, if you
are like me, you will be surprised to learn that
deviation is mind boggling and variation is not
a menage a trois.
Prudent sailors ask: what are the rules?
Imprudent sailors ask: rules? You can keep ya
stinking rules. I play by me own rules.
Even if a ship does have crew on the bridge,
will they be looking in your direction? Do not
rely on it. A yacht is a tiny dot on a vast canvas.
A mere blink on a radar screen. Chances are they
will not see you, so you had better see them.If power gives way to sail and sail gives way
to fishing boats and fishing boats give way to
hardly anyone and everyone gives way to those
restricted in ability to manoeuvre and drunks
restricted in ability to manoeuvre think they
have special powers and power gives way to
sail, then one does wonder why some boaties
think that the rules do not apply to them.
Never tell an idiot they are an idiot. It only
make them more idiotic.
Risk of collision exists if the bearing of a vessel
does not change and it is coming closer; i.e. it
remains at constant compass direction from you
and the distance between you and it is diminishing.
If you are the give-way vessel do not speed up,
tempting as that seems. Either slow down, stop
or make a bold alteration to starboard to go
around the stern.
If you have the right of way, maintain course
and speed. If the give-way vessel does not
appear to be doing anything, then you must do
something. Alter course to starboard, because
you have been expecting them to turn to the right
and give them a short blast of five expletives. ≈70
Cruising Helmsman July 2018HIGH SEAS
Suzy Cook has no nautical background
whatsoever, but she doesn’t let that stop
her cruising along with adorable Capt. Hunk where the
weather is mostly fair, the scenery picture-postcard and
the food outstanding. Life’s so effortlessly charmed and
danger free you’d be forgiven if you think she has no
dramas to write about.SUZY COOK
Don’t panic, dearest,
we’re on starboard tack.