What Type of Boat Are You Well-Versed In ?

[boasun]

Hold a 1600 ton Masters with a 2nd Mate unlimited upon Oceans. Sailed on Tankers, research vessels, Factory Trawlers, and assort Navy ships and small craft. Have taught sailing and single handed up to 110 foot crew boat. So not only do I feel compendent but am also relaxed as I handle the unknown vessel.
Have seen a few people who were uptight when they stepped aboard a strange vessel.

[captain58sailin]

It is all good, sounds like most of the responders are well experienced vessel Captains, which means you should be able to handle anything that comes your way, or be able to compensate lack of knowledge of a particular vessel with former experience of other vessels. If you want a challenge; dock a 220' twin screw, kort nozzle, bow thruster equipped tug, with only one screw and no bow thruster, with the tide and wind working against you, it is funny how there are many similarities between that and docking a larger full keel sailing vessel, only the rudder on the tug doesn't give you as much help.

[S/V Alchemy]

A really competent Captain would actually refuse to operate a boat on which he wasn't certified, even if he thought he had the physics down.

In the "skipper" world, by contrast, we are often in charge of a wide range of boats, from little tippy oar-powered tenders to fifty footers. (The number of privately owned yachts drops off considerably above that length, I find). So everything's relative. I find I have trouble on occasion when visiting marinas or YCs where the visitor's dock is slightly longer or shorter than my usual...say a 30 footer when I expect a 32. That's when I realize I use bearings taken on deck gear across to dock "features" to judge when I should be stopped!

[cchesley]

Originally Posted by S/V Alchemy

A really competent Captain would actually refuse to operate a boat on which he wasn't certified, even if he thought he had the physics down.

That concept would have put me out of a job. As a Ship's Pilot, I had to be ready to maneuver whatever vessel came to me when it was my rotation.

Boat/ship handling is ultimately the same skill set no matter the size or design. Understanding the nature of your equipment, the handling principles and what forces are acting on you is what's required. Also important, is the ability to constantly and instantly shift your immediate priorities as to what's most important NOW as you anticipate what will be most important 30 seconds to 10 minutes (or more) from now.

Some folks learn to be really good with the one boat they usually 'drive' because they know what they want to do at their home dock, or when the 'port bow chock lines up with the widgeygidget'. It works. Others are good because they 'feel' what their craft is doing and know how to reach into their 'bag of skills' appropriately. The latter are comfortable with many wide ranging vessels, the former tend not to be. That's just what is and it's not a better or worse judgement. The bad thing is to be beyond your own skill level when others property and safety are at stake.

[zeehag]

omg ...am not a cpt nor certified in anything except nursing..lol.... so i guess i cannot operate my own sailing shiplet lol.....

[capngeo]

Originally Posted by cchesley

what will be most important 30 seconds to 10 minutes (or more) from now.

That about sums it up!

[markpierce]

Originally Posted by osirissail

(post #11) ... If there wasn't it would be necessary for schools to expend large amounts of money training with small mock ups like below.

Your photo of miniatures reminded me of this view shot yesterday near Richmond, CA.



I've routinely handled a 30-foot auxiliary sloop and a 35-foot single-engine motorboat without disaster. The sloop was easier to dock under power than the motorboat. Sailing under sail isn't difficult except when shortening and changing sails when the boat is bouncing around.

[boasun]

Originally Posted by zeehag

omg ...am not a cpt nor certified in anything except nursing..lol.... so i guess i cannot operate my own sailing shiplet lol.....

Certificates & Licenses do not make a Captain or pilot... It is learning from their's & others' experiences that develop the skills to operate your boat.
There are a lot of paper Captains out there that have time on board but never learned anything meaningful.

[captain58sailin]

Amen boasun, and ditto cchesley. The paper do not make the Captain. Any Captain worth his / her salt can adapt to and operate safely a wide range of vessels with out being "certified" . The problem with this world today is everything is brought down to the lowest common denominator and if you pass the class then by God you are competent. Hogwash. The harsh realities are that not everyone should be a Captain or Pilot or even a bicycle messenger.

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by cchesley

That concept would have put me out of a job. As a Ship's Pilot, I had to be ready to maneuver whatever vessel came to me when it was my rotation.

I consider Pilots and Captains separate jobs with only some overlap, akin to a medical specialist versus a general practitioner.

[markpierce]

Originally Posted by cchesley

That concept would have put me out of a job. As a Ship's Pilot, I had to be ready to maneuver whatever vessel came to me when it was my rotation. ...

I've always presumed (as an ignoramous) that the pilot only gave advice to the ship's officers and helmsman and did not handle the ship directly (hands on wheel and engine controls). Please enlighten.

[captain58sailin]

A pilot is a professional paid adviser to the Master. He/She has specialized knowledge of the area that the vessel is entering or departing. He/She also has experience with the handling characteristics of a wide range of vessels. While the Master has specific knowledge of the vessel that He/She is commanding at the time. The Master may choose to ignore the advice of the Pilot, but that is a hazardous proposition at best. It also depends on where you are operating, in some areas it is best not to listen to the pilots due to the lack of knowledge on their part and lower standards in different parts of the world. No matter what, the Master is not relieved of the responsibility of the safe navigation of the vessel.