I have just cruised from Kentucky Lake to Punta Gorda
Florida and we are used to tows like are on the Tenn-Tom going 5 to 6 knots which is comparable to sailboats. I have Radar with Marpha and AIS and have had two encounters with large ships on my last legs from
Panama City to Punta Gorda. Just as the sun set, I discovered i had a large tow pulling a barge overtaking me from
Panama City to Clearwater and I followed him carefully visually, with AIS and with Radar/Marpha. At one time out CPA was 46 meters at 26 minutes. I had the
VHF in hand to call him and determine which way he preferred I change course to to avoid being overtaken. I was doing about 6 knots and he was doing 8.1. Just before my call, he changed course 20 degrees to his starboard and we got clear pretty fast. I continued to
monitor him closely until he was well away from us.
When transiting the Intercoastal just east of the Sunshine Parkway bridge in Tampa Bay, in the middle of the day, a freighter was just entering the pass heading east. From AIS I determined he was a potential
collision course with us very early on. I altered course to get across the ship channel well in advance of his getting near us and we cleared by well over 1/4 mile. He saw us and sounded his horn well in advance and I made a
VHF call to him and advised him of my intentions and that I would be well clear. This ship was 468 feet long, 91 feet wide and had a
draft of 28 feet. He was also doing 15.2 knots and probably capable of much more, but had slowed due to entering Tampa Bay. He also put off a pretty good wake even 1/4 mile away. It was a very different large ship experience than I have had before with the tows on the lakes and rivers. Even with all my tools, and knowing we would be well clear, without them, I would have waited to cross his path. That ship was on us much faster than one can imagine until you have experienced the speed at which these big ships operate. I knew to expect ships in the ship channel in Tampa Bay and would have been very surprised had their not been one or more in the area. That is why radar and AIS is so important to have. Further, you must also have enough common sense to not drive in the ship channel if other parallel options are available. Something that draws 28 feet isn't going to be in 15 to 20 feet of
water.
Anyone in any
boat that doesn't contemplate these circumstances while cruising in a busy harbor is just a fool.