Keeping Watch at Night ?

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Wrong

Even in the rare case when a ship may not throw so much light as to look like a city in the distance, I have never had trouble recognizing the white navigation lights on bow and stern far enough away to discern that first it is a ship and second direction of travel. Even in significant seas. What do you define as a "freight boat"?

I was just commenting that cheeckho post was exactly on the number.

I'm impressed yiu can see the bow and stern lights .....!! , must be a glass boat.

Dave

[zeehag]

when you see white red white you are ok
when you see white green white you are ok
when you see red white green you are ok
if you see green white red you are ded

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by zeehag

when you see white red white you are ok
when you see white green white you are ok
when you see red white green you are ok
if you see green white red you are ded

Why the difference in the last two, it matters not if your run down by the port or starboard side of the bow

Dave

[Blue Crab]

[QUOTE=goboatingnow;1316035
...
Recently did a delivery with two friends both of whom are very capable skippers. No standing orders , Sleep was blissful. Dave .[/QUOTE]

Unlike others, if I had Lin Pardey onboard, I would appoint her Captain.

[Rakuflames]

Originally Posted by Blue Crab

Unlike others, if I had Lin Pardey onboard, I would appoint her Captain.

So would I. I have willingly given the helm to an accomplished friend as well.

HOWEVER, the command would not be turned over until all (even Lin Pardey or my highly accomplished friend, and that one was a bit of a battle) have agreed that the head, and not the ocean, is the head, and that at night, a second person has to come up to the cockpit before the first one can leave it.

Period, end of sentence and sail if not agreed upon.

My boat, my rule.

[Blue Crab]

I doubt that Mrs Pardey would need reminding not to pee over the rail.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Rakuflames

So would I. I have willingly given the helm to an accomplished friend as well.

HOWEVER, the command would not be turned over until all (even Lin Pardey or my highly accomplished friend, and that one was a bit of a battle) have agreed that the head, and not the ocean, is the head, and that at night, a second person has to come up to the cockpit before the first one can leave it.

Period, end of sentence and sail if not agreed upon.

My boat, my rule.

I find it strange , all these newbies , with all these " rules" , listen to boatman , " it depends"

If I'm on watch , the area is quiet , weather reasonable , boat is on AP , you know the 95 % time , how can yiu enforce your , quite frankly silly rule, I mean the on watch. Needs to go to the head , make tea , update and check charts and log etc I'm up and down all the time , night or day.

What have you got the cockpit crew doing ,so they MUST be up their all the time.

Really this dogma amuses me. Rules should be flexible , appropriate and reasonable , otherwise they get broken

Dave

[zeehag]

Quote:
Originally Posted by zeehag View Post
when you see white red white you are ok
when you see white green white you are ok
when you see red white green you are ok
if you see green white red you are ded
Why the difference in the last two, it matters not if your run down by the port or starboard side of the bow

Dave
__________________


red white green is ship headed away from ye. green white red is ship on you bow first.

[D&D]

Originally Posted by zeehag

red white green is ship headed away from ye.

Suppose so, although can't ever recall seeing -- Is it possible to see? -- both nav lights and a stern light. Thought the nav lights arc of visibility would make seeing both nav lights from astern impossible.

Perhaps we're missing something here...

[Blue Crab]

Rules. An ugly word. I generally only abide by the ones I agree with. I'm a singlehander by choice. People talk too much. Sure would help at night tho.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by zeehag

Quote:
Originally Posted by zeehag View Post
when you see white red white you are ok
when you see white green white you are ok
when you see red white green you are ok
if you see green white red you are ded
Why the difference in the last two, it matters not if your run down by the port or starboard side of the bow

Dave
__________________

red white green is ship headed away from ye. green white red is ship on you bow first.

Strange ships in your part , where you can see nav lights from behind

Dave

[zeehag]

you have never sailed across stern of a ship???

when they come at you you can see both sides. when they go away you can see both sides when you sail across their transom. doesnt matter how far distant it is--you can see it from that angle. it is not strange. i keep watch and pay attention. there are many ships off mexico. duh. there is major shipping here.
and remember, i have drifted many many miles in pacific ocean in and around shipping channels and lanes....near big shipping ports.

also in tampa we saw from stern.....

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by D&D

On most decent head lamps the angle of the lamp is adjustable...and, for most people (certainly the case here) the most useful angle is inclined down so as to be pointing to objects within arm's length in front. So it shouldn't always (or even often) shine into someone else's eyes.

Furthermore, for us nearly all night watch keeping is done solo, while the other 'crew' sleep. So for us there's very, very low risk of blinding anyone else.

Further still, if the head lamp is used on the red light (as it should be >90% of the time) it is significantly less blinding than the white light. We read (with interest, thanks! ) the articles and posts in this thread about 'the red myth', but it seems safe to suggest at least that a single red LED on a head lamp will have less impact on night vision than full white light from either the head lamp or a torch.

Finally and even accepting the risk of shining into someone else's eyes, that risk itself can be managed by the wearer of the head lamp simply taking care not to indulge the "natural reaction" and instead be always mindful of where your own lamp is pointed.

As already noted on this thread, head lamps are hugely handy tools. They are always there -- you never need to look for them when you need them -- and they leave both your hands completely free.

So for us, all weather head lamps are absolutely required wear for night watch keeping...and we keep spares.

I can tell you love your head light and that's fine with me but my experience and opinion of them remains unchanged. I have never been around anyone with a head mounted lamp that didn't shine it in my face to some degree and I have been around them a good bit. I used to do a lot of cave diving and head mounted lights are popular with many in the sport. Every one I was ever around manged to blind me at least a couple of times on a dive and blow my vision. Didn't matter how or where they were mounted or how experienced the diver, it would happen, every time.

Nor do I find it necessary to wear one while on watch. 99% of what I need to do on watch that needs a light is quite easy to do with a hand light or a dim cabin light and never had any trouble keeping a flash in the pocket of my foul weather jacket. Also if feel the need to look up at the sails, rigging, tell tales or whatever and need a light it's just easier to point a hand light than to look around with a head mount.

Most things requiring two hands involved in sailing the boat I can do with ambient light and good night vision. Another problem, trying to do any really active work on the boat a head light is also too easy to tangle in a line or knock off with a flogging sail. Guess that's why you need to keep several spares.

If there is something that seriously needs light then I will use the spreader lights or get someone on deck with a spot light.

The only use I see for a head light is doing some sort of repair unassisted that needs two hands and can't be lit by a work light and these situations are rare and don't

Sure, on my trips as well most night watches are solo except when changing watch. If I had a crew member that loved his/her head light then they would be welcome to use it on watch but the first time he/she shines it in my face it goes in the drawer.

[Bash]

Originally Posted by carstenb

let's face it, a couple making passage is single aahnding part of the time, but! i drowiness becomes too much you wake your partner.

I hear this a lot on the forum, but I disagree strongly.

Wonderblond and I keep a proper watch 24/7. I take the midnight to 0600 watch, and then she takes the 0600 to 1200 watch, which gives us each a solid six hours of sleep. The rest of the day we either trade off with naps, or share the watch. This is nothing like singlehanding. Nothing.

Of course, we are also available to help each other with tasks such as shortening sails. Again, this is nothing like singlehanding.

[jackdale]

Quick question - how much difference does a autopilot make?

Newport to St Baths - autopilot the whole way. I had some great conversations with my watch mates.

HI to PNW - first trip AP failed - handsteered 3/4 of the way
- second and third trips - no AP (race boat) - handsteered the whole way

Handsteering especially in big seas takes a lot of work and concentration.

I do not like my crew to sit when handsteering in those conditions. The exception may be close hauled and watching tell-tales in moderate winds ( below 20 knots)

I had a crew member who thought he could sit and handsteer in 25-30 knot winds broad reaching. He managed to slam the boat.

Personally when I am standing I have a better feel for the boat in the ocean. Coastal is a different situation.