Night Cruising

We have pre planed compass bearings, both to leave an anchorage, if we have to in case of an emergency--such as in Yugoslovia, when the Bora Wind came up to 60 knots from zero in seconds, and the anchors would not hold, and we had to cut the anchor rodes and run. With heavy rain and sea whipped up the radar was of little use. We followed the compass bearings to put to sea thru the jetties.

Another similar situation was when leaving a West Coast harbor which had a breaking bar at 5 AM--we had pre plotted our compass bearings. As we came to a bend in the jetties, the local Coast Guard cutter was coming in, and shown his search light on us, blinding me. The Radar showed echos all around at close range--the clifts behind, jetties on each side, and the break on the bar ahead. Again, we relied on the compass bearing to continue underway. Both of these were before chart plotters, which make the situations easier--but it is still very important to have compass courses already laid out and keep exact track of your location as you move in limited visability.
 
We have pre planed compass bearings, both to leave an anchorage, if we have to in case of an emergency--such as in Yugoslovia, when the Bora Wind came up to 60 knots from zero in seconds, and the anchors would not hold, and we had to cut the anchor rodes and run. With heavy rain and sea whipped up the radar was of little use. We followed the compass bearings to put to sea thru the jetties.

Another similar situation was when leaving a West Coast harbor which had a breaking bar at 5 AM--we had pre plotted our compass bearings. As we came to a bend in the jetties, the local Coast Guard cutter was coming in, and shown his search light on us, blinding me. The Radar showed echos all around at close range--the clifts behind, jetties on each side, and the break on the bar ahead. Again, we relied on the compass bearing to continue underway. Both of these were before chart plotters, which make the situations easier--but it is still very important to have compass courses already laid out and keep exact track of your location as you move in limited visability.
 
Years ago before we had radar or a chart plotter gps we were inbound to Baltimore Inner Harbor on the Patapsco River. I was very pleased with myself following the pretty range lights under the Key bridge.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear but a very big freighter on my starboard side. I almost missed seeing him as his red light was far above me in my little cruiser. I was so intent on the range lights that I really did not keep a proper look for other traffic. His hull was not visiable just a big black area. I made a hasty turn to starboard and gave him his right of way. Probably only seconds away from the dreaded five blasts on his big horn.

Fred, Pat, and Mr. Grey(the cat)
 
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