Container Ships

[zeehag]

that wasnot even close.
want pix of the steel plate welds....
reasonable wake up, tho.
good work. happy sails amigo.

[MarkSF]

Originally Posted by thomm225

Container Ships are so big they tend to freak me out a bit when I get too close to them.............

I was heaved too waiting for this guy to cross in front of me but wasn't doing that great a job since I was still moving toward the channel at 1.9 knots

The other weekend there were three that big, underway at the same time, in the Oakland estuary. That was interesting.

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by MarkSF

The other weekend there were three that big, underway at the same time, in the Oakland estuary. That was interesting.

I can imagine that is was.

The ship I posted pictures of actually passed another ship I crossed in front of maybe 10-15 minutes earlier at a wide spot in the channel near Thimble Shoal light which is further in.

His bow wave was one of the reasons I decided to tack back and wait. He was moving along pretty good...

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by Foolish

It's funny that we will drive down the highway at 60mph and pass a fully loaded semi truck going the opposite direction at 60mph, with only 6' and a dotted white line between us. But we get nervous at passing a ship going 20 knots 1/4 mile away. After a little more experience you just get used to them.

That's One semi?

These ships hold 100's of containers.

It's impressive to see them.

Also, at night some of them have the same tiny red and green lights that smaller boats have and that will also freak a person out when you stare long enough and realize there's a big ship attached to that little light

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by valhalla360

I guess growing up near Detroit and spending time on the Detroit & St. Clair rivers, I'm just over it. You have no choice but to get a lot closer than those pictures show on a regular basis.

You also may not want to go down the river system. There were times we were within 50' of tows. A standard 3x5 tow is over 1000' long traveling on rivers that may less than 500' wide.

Not saying you shouldn't respect big ships but no need for paranoia.

There's no paranoia since I usually deal with them almost every time I sail.

Their size is just impressive, freaky impressive

We have two shipping channels on the lower bay and one of them, Thimble Shoal Channel, is about 4-5 miles from my creek's entrance.

During squalls you better know where you are and do your circles out of the shipping channel. I say circles because I usually keep the bow into the wind as the squalls pass while keeping an eye on my GPS

When the subs and carriers come in its another PITA but they have escort boats nearby to ensure no boat comes within 500' to the side and 1500' in front of them

Many times on the newer subs all you can see is their sail from a distance plus the escort boats

https://www.google.com/search?biw=12...OSEn7GQE3-LlM:

This carrier is headed out to sea.

https://www.google.com/search?biw=12...KQFL5MgE7SAHM:

[pete33458]

First few dozen times going in and out of Government Cut in Miami had me clenching my cheeks, but then you get used to it...



The new cruise ships are even bigger! The good news is that they're all fairly predictable in their movements. Unless you happen to be a guided missile destroyer or something...

Pete

[Jubilee39]

Closest encounter entering the suez canal, outgoing convoy trying to get in to the anchorage before dark had a container ship exiting at the turn, no room to maneuver with shoals on the port side we passed each doing about 6 knots opposing directions with 15 ft, seemed like I could touch the hull.

[thomm225]

That's a bit too close I'm thinking but on the other hand, the pilot boat has to drop a pilot off on most every one of these big ships.

I'm sure those guy have some tales to tell. The pilot boats are good boats but still it's got to get a bit dicey at times.

We have some pretty rough weather up here where the bay meets the ocean ............

https://www.google.com/search?biw=12...Ht49jd5jN8uKM:

https://www.google.com/search?q=lynn...bEUa2MIGroNaM:

[aquadreams]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

I sailed in SF Bay for 40+ years. That ain't even close.

Same here, SF Bay for past 10+ years. They move fast, 20+ knots. It's fun watching other sailboats to see if they'll get a horn toot from the container ships. It's always interesting when they get 5 blasts :-) I usually tack before getting a horn.

Outside of the gate I pay attention to the shipping lanes and monitor VTS (vessel traffic service) especially since there isn't as much room.

- Joe

[Lepke]

Many ships go by my winter dock on the Columbia River. Not too many containers to Portland since the Longshoremen screwed that up, but car carriers and grain ships mostly. I find the ship wakes don't hurt the docks as much as some a-hole yachties.

[johnyhask]

Have a look at the clip in the link. It came right over the horizon straight toward us. And we were rowing. This was mid Atlantic and he admitted he saw us on the AIS but couldn't see us from the bridge so ignored it as a mistake. We VHF'd him and screamed for him to alter course which he luckily did. 20ft row boat against super tanker and we bossed him lol http://www.itv.com/news/wales/2013-0...atlantic-dash/

[Caribbeachbum]

Perhaps there's a book that can help:

-

[Caribbeachbum]

Originally Posted by pete33458

First few dozen times going in and out of Government Cut in Miami ...

Wow, look at the vertical development and classic anvil shape at the top of that cumulonimbus! That photo is so close to perfect it could be in a weather textbook. I'm thinking the keys were getting pummeled with heavy rains and thunder when this was taken...

[deblen]

Tanker/container ship 1000ft long travelling @ 20kts---5 miles every 15 minutes.....& your top speed is ?? 5-7kts Plus,they create a wake that could swamp you!

Yep... keep rolling the dice. Demand your "rights"
/ Len

[masonc]

Originally Posted by johnyhask

And we were rowing. This was mid Atlantic

Pshaw... I rowed ashore in my dinghy ALONE once.