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jalmberg · 15-06-2018, 07:03

Last year we saw a boat at the dock with bow pulpit and lifelines ripped off. Turns out they had rammed bow to bow into another sailboat in the middle of the night.

This was in the Caribbean, on a clear night, both boats had running lights lit. Both boats were sailing; no engine noise. Both had crew in the cockpit standing watches. Actually, two people in each cockpit! Neither boat saw the other until they collided.

No headphones involved. Draw your own conclusions.

BocaIII · 15-06-2018, 07:33

US Coast Guard does not allow head phones on watch
Therefore, I do not allow on my boat.

mikereed100 · 15-06-2018, 07:34

I occasionally wear headphones when on watch, volume on low, one ear 'off' so I can hear what's going on in the boat. In that way I don't disturb my wife while she is trying to sleep. I don't see how this is any different from playing a stereo or strumming a guitar while sailing. Every few minutes I take them off and have a look around, same as I do if I'm not wearing headphones.

wesevans · 15-06-2018, 07:36

Absolutely not

NotCook · 15-06-2018, 07:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatman61

Its all down to your risk tolerance I guess..

The problem with this is that one is not considering the risk tolerance of the other boaters potentially crossing one’s path, or or that of your other crew. I expect our watch standers to hear if a bulge pump or battery alarm is sounding. However, typically we do need some form of stimulation to stay alert. I like the comments about reading, and doing a 360 scan when turning each page.

samoorelex · 15-06-2018, 08:07

We just finished a circumnavigation.

We often used headphones and watched movies, listened to podcasts, music and books on tape.

We did this when sailing or motoring. We were usually well off shore. We had a chart plotter under the dodger with a split screen chart"AIS" /radar at 16 mi.

We could hear/feel any changes the boat made.

The captain slept under the cockpit in the quarter birth with a window open into the cockpit most of the time. He would not have wanted to hear our manufactured sound in addition to all the normal boat noise.

Bruce Johnson · 15-06-2018, 08:09

Standing watch means you pay attention to EVERYTHING. With headphones you won't hear the sound of the nut falling out of the rigging when it hits the deck. You will only realize there is a problem when the bolt works its way loose and the boom separanates from the mast.

telecam · 15-06-2018, 08:10

While on night watches in fair conditions and open waters, I love to listen to podcasts. I am using a set of Apple Airpods, perfect for this. But yes, I don't wear headphones in rough conditions or busy navigation areas.

cj88 · 15-06-2018, 08:29

So from what I have read here, it seems that people with hearing disabilities shouldn't be allowed to sail, drive, ride a bike or cross a road.

teabreak · 15-06-2018, 08:46

Have to say I think this is a bad idea, as good as our eye can be sound is so important at sea, you hear a unusual noises from the rigging, ruddar, engine are all so important before mayhem starts. so big now way from me

Semper Paratus · 15-06-2018, 08:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

Wonder how many read on watch, messing up their night vision? Or gone below to pee, or get a drink, or check the chart. How many have just plain nodded off on watch?

I’ve done all these things.

I’m amazed by those that follow “the rules” so well they are at the helm constantly scanning the horizon at all times etc on watch!

The last person I seen fall asleep on watch, ended up Ramming a US Coast Guard Cutter. I was on the USCGC. So all I will say STAY AWAKE!!!!!

If you must sing to yourself, but do not put on head set or do anything to block out noises from your boat or others.

phoenix-marie · 15-06-2018, 08:54

There are places you wouldn’t want to do anything except keep a watch - busy shipping lanes etc. And there are many thousands of miles where keeping a good watch doesn’t require listening as well. If it helps you keep alert, as it does me, then it’s better than not watching carefully. I say use your judgement. On the way from Seattle to Hawaii there were a couple of weeks of the 3.5 week trip where we did not pass within mast-top AIS of any ships.

mikesailin · 15-06-2018, 08:59

One's hearing is very important in protecting the boat and others on the boat from danger. Its necessary that one is able to hear whistles and bells from other vessels as well as on board alarms. When under power it is imperative that one be able to hear any change in the sounds coming from the engine(s) to get advanced warning of equipment failures. Listening to music at a low volume is OK, but NOT with headphones. The point made about night vision is also an important one. Any time I expose myself to bright lights, I have one eye closed to protect its night vision. Watch standing is an important duty and should be taken seriously!