TenMile
Well-Known Member
Hey guys,
Thought I'd link to a great post on another forum from one of the crew of a 891 foot Oil Tanker. He has some photos from what sport boats look like from the bridge of the tanker.
At the end of the post, he shares this advice -- wise to listen to what he says:
Seems my posts have raised a few questions from people regarding large vessels.
As for how close is too close.....if the ship is underway either in a channel or at sea....I 'd caution you to keep your distance! We cannot manoeuver quick enough to avoid a collision very well at all and chances of us seeing a small fiberglass boat...especially in reduced visibility.....are low at the best of times. These small boats do not show up very well on our radars especially in choppy seas. They do show up when it's calm but even then they are weak targets and can often be confused for sea clutter on the radar. There area also many blind spots in radar when the other small vessels are at close range.....keep in mind our scanners are almost 150' in the air and anything that comes within 1/10th of a mile will likely not be detected at all.
I believe there is a false sense of security when running with a radar reflector on your boat.....it doesn't guarantee that we will detect you but it doesn't hurt either. I have actually seen instances where we have trouble picking up larger fishing vessels at a few miles away even with all their aluminum masts and rigging. Radar is only an aid to navigation and not a precision instrument. Our vessels maintain our equipment very well but don't assume all ships radars are working as good. I can guarantee you that many flag of convenience ships do not do a very good job of maintaining them or operating them.
So basically.....don't take the chance and hope that the officer of the watch on the large ship sees you.
Also...I have seen a boat as large as 50 feet alter course to cross our stern (which I appreciated) but come too close to the stern and actually get spun around 360 degrees in our prop wash. He won't do that again!
Most Captains have "Standing Orders" on the bridge for the mates that dictace how much distance to keep between themselves and other traffic at sea. Most vessels where I trade like to keep 2NM from all traffic if at all possible if not we have to call and advise the Captain. Nothing is more annoying than having to call the Captain at 3am to let him know I have a target on the radar that refuses to give way when he should and then me having to make a large alteration to keep away. So when you do approach too close for comfort....remember that you are stirring up the guys on the bridge of the ship.....we now have to do what we can to make sure we don't run you over!
But....if the ship is anchored or alongside a dock.....most vessels do not worry about the smaller boats coming alongside for a look. But stay away from Navy ships. Just be careful and stay away from propellor and bow thruster areas as they may start at anytime even if it doesn't look like the ship is preparing to leave. Also do not venture too close to anchor pockets (Hawse Pipe) and the crew on some ships let it free fall to the bottom when in shallower water instead of lowering it slowly.
Just be careful!!! The sea is big enough for all of us!
Here is the whole post including some cool photos: http://www.baylinerownersclub.org/forum/showthread.php?p=624806#post624806
Thought I'd link to a great post on another forum from one of the crew of a 891 foot Oil Tanker. He has some photos from what sport boats look like from the bridge of the tanker.
At the end of the post, he shares this advice -- wise to listen to what he says:
Seems my posts have raised a few questions from people regarding large vessels.
As for how close is too close.....if the ship is underway either in a channel or at sea....I 'd caution you to keep your distance! We cannot manoeuver quick enough to avoid a collision very well at all and chances of us seeing a small fiberglass boat...especially in reduced visibility.....are low at the best of times. These small boats do not show up very well on our radars especially in choppy seas. They do show up when it's calm but even then they are weak targets and can often be confused for sea clutter on the radar. There area also many blind spots in radar when the other small vessels are at close range.....keep in mind our scanners are almost 150' in the air and anything that comes within 1/10th of a mile will likely not be detected at all.
I believe there is a false sense of security when running with a radar reflector on your boat.....it doesn't guarantee that we will detect you but it doesn't hurt either. I have actually seen instances where we have trouble picking up larger fishing vessels at a few miles away even with all their aluminum masts and rigging. Radar is only an aid to navigation and not a precision instrument. Our vessels maintain our equipment very well but don't assume all ships radars are working as good. I can guarantee you that many flag of convenience ships do not do a very good job of maintaining them or operating them.
So basically.....don't take the chance and hope that the officer of the watch on the large ship sees you.
Also...I have seen a boat as large as 50 feet alter course to cross our stern (which I appreciated) but come too close to the stern and actually get spun around 360 degrees in our prop wash. He won't do that again!
Most Captains have "Standing Orders" on the bridge for the mates that dictace how much distance to keep between themselves and other traffic at sea. Most vessels where I trade like to keep 2NM from all traffic if at all possible if not we have to call and advise the Captain. Nothing is more annoying than having to call the Captain at 3am to let him know I have a target on the radar that refuses to give way when he should and then me having to make a large alteration to keep away. So when you do approach too close for comfort....remember that you are stirring up the guys on the bridge of the ship.....we now have to do what we can to make sure we don't run you over!
But....if the ship is anchored or alongside a dock.....most vessels do not worry about the smaller boats coming alongside for a look. But stay away from Navy ships. Just be careful and stay away from propellor and bow thruster areas as they may start at anytime even if it doesn't look like the ship is preparing to leave. Also do not venture too close to anchor pockets (Hawse Pipe) and the crew on some ships let it free fall to the bottom when in shallower water instead of lowering it slowly.
Just be careful!!! The sea is big enough for all of us!
Here is the whole post including some cool photos: http://www.baylinerownersclub.org/forum/showthread.php?p=624806#post624806