Running in the FOG

[johnseafood]

Ok guys I'd like for everyone to see this and hear about this. We went fishing yesterday (11-15) and it was foggy. In the morning it was about 1/2 mile visibility. Now as the day went on it got bad, like real bad. We had many 200 yard visibilty if that. We sat on the hook and didn't move just for the fact that we didn't have radar and its stupid to just move around it that.

Well when sitting we heard a boat running our way, so we kept a look out and out of no where here comes this boat at 25-30 mph right at our. He pulls back the stick and turn right hard. He came within 20-25 yards of us before turning.

Now I was nervous about the drive home since we didn't have radar but took it nice and slow and did it with no problem. People were out there with no radar wide open running around. Is it just me or is that about the stupidest thing ever???

[JD5652]

John-

It is a dangerous situation with extremely low visability even if you have radar and are accustomed to using it in dense fog. Up here on LI Sound we get socked in all the time. This same situation you expereinced has happened to me numerous times ....and don't even get me started about the blow boaters and the fog...

[Bite Me]

Love ya John but in fog, no radar, no Bite Me. Running 25 in the soup is stupid, no question about it. Fishing in the soup without radar is lets say, questionable.

If you are like me, we always worry about the other guy.

Glad you made it back safe and sound. Get some Radar on that thing .

[striper101]

I have just about seen it all out there! But that has to be one of the stupidest things I have ever seen, running fast without or with radar for that matter! We have radar but I still slow it down considerably because you have to keep an eye on the other guy just as well!

[BTH284]

I can tell you from fishing with Lou this past summer on one trip and fishing the Barta on another boat that radar is a must.
Saved our butt from storms both times out.

My next rig will have one, either a 16NM or 24 NM dome. Small price to pay to be safe.

[Admin]

First John this is my take on it, If your boat has no radar you should return to port.

When ever im on the hook and sitting in the fog i run the radar and set alarms.

People running in the fog with no radar are stupid no doubt.
1 thing i do not understand is why people dont sound there horn.

When ever im in the fog and navigating i can run my hailer to run the fog horn.

If you dont have a fog horn hit your normal horn.


To answer the main question though yes dumb to run wide open in the fog yes.

[Squidnation]

Not sure what makes one mistake worse then the other. Fog, no radar..... go home.

[gradywhite273]

Just had radar installed on the grady for that reason, if im caught in it. But im with lou, if there is fog, i go find breakfast.


Tim

[ocnslr]

Is it stupid to run in the fog, with or without radar? YES.

Is it commonly done by far too many "boat drivers"? YES.

Are you at significant risk whenever you are out in conditions of reduced visibility? IMHO, very definitely so.

Radar is there to help you get home safely if you are out and visibility deteriorates due to fog or rain or snow. Having radar does NOT justify heading out in conditions of reduced visibility.

_____________________________________________________________

Now, what does the law say?

RULE 19: CONDUCT OF VESSELS IN RESTRICTED VISIBILITY

(a) This Rule applies to vessels not in sight of one another when navigating in or near an area of restricted visibility.

(b) Every vessel shall proceed at a safe speed adapted to the prevailing circumstances and conditions of restricted visibility. A power-driven vessel shall have her engines ready for immediate maneuver.

(c) Every vessel shall have due regard to the prevailing circumstances and conditions of restricted visibility when complying with the Rules [of Section I of this Part / 4 through 10].

(d) A vessel which detects by radar alone the presence of another vessel shall determine if a close-quarters situation is developing and/ [Intl] or risk of collision exists. If so, she shall take avoiding action in ample time, provided that when such action consists of an alteration in course, so far as possible the following shall be avoided:

(i) An alteration of course to port for a vessel forward of the beam, other than for a vessel being overtaken;

(ii) An alteration of course toward a vessel abeam or abaft the beam.

(e) Except where it has been determined that a risk of collision does not exist, every vessel which hears apparently forward of her beam the fog signal of another vessel, or which cannot avoid a close-quarters situation with another vessel forward of her beam, shall reduce her speed to be the minimum at which she can be kept on her course. She shall if necessary take all her way off and in any event navigate with extreme caution until danger of collision is over.
_____________________________________________________________

Admiralty Courts have interpreted 19(b) to mean that a vessel must proceed so that she can STOP in ONE-HALF the distance she can see.

Having radar does not in any way reduce the requirements for vigilance, good seamanship, and proceeding at a safe speed.

Brian
Master, Oceans, Steam, Motor & Sail - 1600-Tons
Chief Mate, Oceans, Unlimited Tonnage
Radar Observer

[johnseafood]

Ok yes i went out in the fog with no radar but when you leave and there is more then a mile of visibilty i felt no threat at all with going out. Yes i take full responsibilities for my action since I am the captain but in no way shape or form did I feel that my life or the life of my crew was in danger. Yes the fog rolled in and yes i did sound my horn when I heard a boat running around. I know that things happen out of your controll and this was one of them on my boat. No we don't have radar because we rarely run early morning or at night. We never stay in the dark since my dad doesn't like it. A 2k expense is a hard thing to chew if you never use it. Yes we can afford it and yes we ARE getting it this winter.

I put this up to let people know of what can happen out there when you least expect it. I Do no and will not put the life of the crew at stake when i'm the captain. I've made the call so many times to turn around or called it at the dock. People that have fished with me will back that up.

Now i'm out to go kill some ducks in a tornado .

Lets see where this will be when I get back.