Fishing Forum

[center][font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"][#ff0000]Operating in Reduced Visibility[/#ff0000][/font][/center]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"]Boating during the fall can bring special challenges for the mariner. In addition to the need to be aware of reduced temperatures which can lead to [url "http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/hypothermia.htm"]hypothermia[/url], you also at times have to deal with reduced visibility. [/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"]Fog is the primary cause of reduced visibility, but haze, heavy rain and snow all present problems for mariners. Boating in these conditions presents two hazards, navigational errors and collisions. [/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"]Preventing both of these begins with reducing your speed. The old saying, “Be able to stop in half the distance of visibility” doesn’t appear in the Navigation Rules, but it is very good advice; remember slower is better! [/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"]A sailboat with an auxiliary engine, if under sail in fog, should have her engine available for immediate use, but you’ll be better able to listen for fog signals and other helpful sounds if you leave the engine off until it’s needed.[/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"]Fog signals must be sounded, the time interval specified in the Navigation Rules is the minimum.[/font] [center][font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"]Vessel[/font][/center] [font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"]Required Sound Signal[/font] [font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"]Power-driven vessl making way[/font] [font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"]one prolonged blast every two minutes[/font] [font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"]Power-driven vessel not making way (stopped)[/font] [font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"]two prolonged blast every two minutes with a one second interval between them[/font] [font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"]Sailing Vessel, vessel not under command, vessel restricted in ability to maneuver, vessel constrained by draft, vessel engaged in fishing and a vessel towing or pushing another vessel.[/font] [font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"]one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts every two minutes[/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"]Vary your interval so that there is no possibility of your signals being in step with another vessel’s, thereby preventing you from hearing them. Listening for another vessel’s fog signals is just as important as sounding your own. If you have crew aboard, post a lookout well forward and consider having another person aft if possible. The lookout should listen as well as look. Listen for other vessels, the sound of aids to navigation, breaking surf, and other helpful sounds. Lookouts are especially important if your helm station is inside. Switch bow and stern lookouts occasionally to provide some variety and increase alertness.[/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"]If your engines are noisy, periodically shift into idle, or even shut them down for a few minutes to listen for faint fog signals. The transmission of sound in foggy conditions is tricky, if you hear something, don’t jump to a quick conclusion about its direction and distance, listen some more.[/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"]If several craft are traveling together, it is advisable that they stay close in a column formation in which closely following vessels aren’t directly behind the leader so they can easily steer clear if the lead vessel stops suddenly. If the fog is so thick that it is hazardous for them to be within sight of each other, each vessel should tow a floating object such as an empty fuel container or a cushion well astern on a line of approximately 150 feet. Then, each vessel can keep its “station” in column by keeping that object in sight, rather than the craft ahead.[/font]
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good post!

Here in TN the fog gets pretty thick on the rivers some mornings. I remember one morning last fall i was SLOWLY workin my way toward a dam to get some baitfish in the soup. My nephew was on the bow with a flashlight....had the running lights on as well. Next thing ya know we are surrounded by 4-5 boats all anchored off, fishin with NO lights on whatsoever!! It didn't present a problem for us as we were goin at idle speed.
I've been out other mornings just idling and you can here other folks cranked wide open flying across the water....for the most part i don't launch in fog anymore because of the other folks on the water...i usually wait till it gets a bit more light out and the fog starts to burn off.

cyas
robert

I am sitting here drawing up plans for the wireing of perminant lights on my boat.

the front lights is a cant miss situation. but the rear light has me in a ponder... the best I can find as far as where the light goes is it has a minimal hight that it can be seen from 360 degrees. I understand that part, what I dont understand is which side of the boat to mount it.

my plan for the front light is a triangle shape. my plan for the rear is a teloscopic light that I can raise at night or fog. It will raise higher than my self during times of use and retract down otherwise. "Manual" I am thinking in the rear of the boat on the starboard side.

if you can, could you relate to me which side should it go on or dose it matter. I see from illistrations with the larger boats it goes on top in the center. or let me know what side or location is the light of your white light on?
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all the smaller boats that i have had or seen have had the light on starboard side,i havent seen any regs that says any different
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I picked up a Federal Requirements and safty tips for recreational boats manual. It dosnt say...



Thanks for the assist..
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