Watching tall ships from boat

[TyBoo]

The Lady Washington and the Hawaiian Chieftain are in Astoria for a few days and have some "battle sails" scheduled. I am curious about any protocol for watching this from the water on my own boat.

I could go over to the Sheriff's office and ask a marine deputy if I can find one, but figured this would be a likely spot for info. I mean, who better to ask than the C-Brat crew?

While I am sure there will be other boats doing the same and a few law enforcement boats around I would like to know a little about what to expect before leaving the dock. The local CG Aux guys can sometimes take their roles a little too zealously and I like to be nice to everyone so it's best if I don't get them hollering at me in the first place.

I have family visiting this weekend and the river should be calm so I think going out to watch the ships would be fun.

Thanks! I hope you all are enjoying the summer!

[Bill K]

Try the local notice to mariners.

Bill Kelleher

[ssobol]

Long time ago I happened to be in Gig Harbor just wandering a round taking some photos on what was my day off. The Lady Washington was in the harbor taking some underprivileged kids out for a sail. I was approached by one of the organizers and asked if I would take some photos of their activities with the kids. I ended up going on the long boats with them and on the Lady Washington herself and taking pictures what they were doing. I ended up donating the photos to the organization sponsoring the activity to use in their publicity. All in all it was a pretty neat thing to do and it just happened because I was in the right place at the right time.

[AstoriaDave]

Mike,

You might get some straight answers from Sam Johnson at the Maritime Museum on this. I expect there may be some concerns about a modern power boat appearing in their video footage. Otherwise, if you stand off out of their way, I think you should be good. IIRC, they conduct their mock warfare off CRMM, for maximal visibility from the CRMM grounds and the 17th Street dock.

Should be some mention in Notices to Mariners. Their battlefield intersects with the shipping channel, I believe.

Edit: link to timing of Battle Sails: https://www.historicalseaport.org/public-tours-sails/sailing-schedule/astoria-oregon/

[hardee]

Mike,

I have seen both boats, together and separately, on the water, but not the Battle Sailings. Would love to have some photos of that. I doubt they will have USCG escort, there may be some CG Aux support, although the only time I have seen that was when they were in Tacoma with some Navy vessels - don't remember the occasion - but they had both CG and Aux vessel support.

One one occasion in Juan de Fuca, I had about an hour and got some good pix, even crossing the bow, after contacting on VHF for permission. The captain was quite cordial.

For most photos, you will want to be a ways back, so proximity should not be an issue. Absolutly worth the trip.

Tried to bring a photo here, but again on my tablet, I have not found a way.
See my album, page 1, go to "Other Boats We Have Seen" and look down into the first page. The Hawaian Chiefton in Sequim Bay.

[img]http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?full=1&set_albumName=album621&id=PLI_and_SB_CBGT_2_683&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php[/img]

Harvey
SleepyC

[dotnmarty]

Here's Harvey's photo

[hardee]

Thank you Marty. Much appreciated. Good to see you are keeping tabs on the sight.

Harvey
SleepyC

[TyBoo]

As it turned out they didn't do the battle sail show. Only the Lady Washington came out for a loop around the anchored ships. She wasn't flying much for sails.

There were no support vessels out there. We stayed out of the way and all was good.

[hardee]

[Bluechablis]

Here is a video I made from a gathering of tall ships in LA Harbor, I just followed the rules of the road and kept aware of all the other looky loos

https://youtu.be/dlHXMhvToVk

[AstoriaDave]