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KJ

KJ

El Capitan
Joined
Dec 2, 2010
Messages
907
Location
USA
Vessel Name
Avalon
Vessel Make
Chung Hwa 46 LRC
How embarrassing.
This fella was getting ready to dock at Greg Normans restaurant ($$$$) at Barefoot Landing. I was watching him from the back of my boat and noticed that his approach was getting dangerously close to a major shoal area.
I tried to get his attention to by waving at him to let him know (didn’t have time to get on the radio), but it was too late. Sure enough, he slams to a dead stop. He must have had a gazillion bucks worth of nav stuff on that very nice boat, but still managed to veer way too far over.
I thought he was going to burn out his bow thruster trying (unsuccessfully) to get off.

Even more embarrassing, the little Sea Ray that was able to pull him off, to the applause of all the folks dining on the outside deck of the restaurant.

Fortunately for him, the bottom there is all mud, so there probably wasn’t any damage, as opposed to what would have happened less than a mile further up on the “Rock Pile”. KJ


1429-albums131-picture1252.jpg



1429-albums131-picture1253.jpg
 
Do you think before that incident the people on the big boat looked down their noses at little SEA Rays?
 
I don't know if he was looking down his nose at the Sea Ray.
He certainly wasn't looking down at the depth sounder.

I was surprised that the sea Ray was able to pull him off.

I guess there are some considerate boaters on the ICW.

He did offer to buy the Sea Ray skipper a cocktail. KJ
 
It's never fun to watch a boat go aground. It's even less of a joy to watch a boat like that go aground.

That's a major oops, and those always seem to happen when there's an audience.
 
KJ said:
I don't know if he was looking down his nose at the Sea Ray.
He certainly wasn't looking down at the depth sounder.

I was surprised that the sea Ray was able to pull him off.

I guess there are some considerate boaters on the ICW.

He did offer to buy the Sea Ray skipper a cocktail. KJ
Click to expand...

Couple O' "Ol' Salt" Observations Here:

1. With today's new/hi-tech equipment pervading the "money is no object" big-boat market... I'm finding that some of the "New" boat Captains (in their 20's/30's) seem to think that the new/hi-tech equipment offers fail-safe programs that answer all navigation questions by simply looking nonstop at numerous screens with fancy, colorful, moving pictures, and fast changing numbers/graphs/squiggely-lines. GEEEZZZZ guys and gals! :ermm:

2. Did bright big-boat Captain bother to put his/her big-boat in reverse?? Reverse thrust of the big-boat would provide MANY times the power of little Sea Ray. But, somewhat in big-boat Captain's defense... maybe he/she felt it dangerous to turn the props (so - only use lateral thrusters... like that would work!?!?), feeling the props might be also aground because after finally looking at the boring depth sounder when hard aground (whose sending unit may be toward front of big-boat where it is grounded)... reading "0" depth. That's when you take piece of line with weight attached and manually check depth (ya know - old-school "mark twain" and all that) at big-boat rear where props are located. Again, GEEEZZZZ :nonono: Of course, in all fairness to big-boat Captain; it could also be that even with big-boat in reverse it was necessary to have the little Sea Ray’s miniscule extra power to pull big-boat’s nose off of ground... doubtful, but maybe that was required??? :facepalm:

3. Taint nutten like bein an Ol' Salt Boat Captain! Following is basically all that is needed to correctly pilot/use a boat: :thumb:

a. Boat Handling Capability - i.e. sea keeping and close-quarters boating knowledge as well as much ability (professional, Rube Goldberg or otherwise) to rectify mostly any mechanical/electronic problems that may arise,
b. Compass,
c. Depth Sounder,
d. Current Paper Charts,
e. Binoculars,
f. Wrist Watch,
g. Paper Tablet - with pen/pencil... and, oh yeah, I almost forgot;
h. Open Eyes that don't fixate on equipment screens and that consistently survey all surroundings and boat portions!

Knowen whats cha b doen, an, haven dems eight (8) simple items in hand... dere's jus bout taint no place in da world yas cants go wit a boat - and - STAY AFLOAT!! :dance:

Happy Boating Daze! - Art :speed boat:
 
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Did bright big-boat Captain bother to put his/her big-boat in reverse?? Reverse thrust of the big-boat would provide MANY times the power of little Sea Ray. But, somewhat in big-boat Captain's defense... maybe he/she felt it dangerous to turn the props (so - only use lateral thrusters... like that would work!?!?), feeling the props might be also aground because after finally looking at the boring depth sounder when hard aground
Click to expand...


I didn't see him go into reverse until he was off the shoal. I think he was worried the props were dug in also. Yeah, the thruster had no effect at all. KJ
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Amongst some of us locals, we call all those high tech flat screens in the pilot house "the cartoons".

As in, quit watching cartoons and watch where you're going!!!

But we all pile it up eventually. And nothing like doing it with an audience. Been there, done that.

Seems like he handled it ok, it was a conservative decision to not use the wheels. Never know whether there are rocks, lines, old bicycles, whatever on the bank.
 
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Probably the same guy that doesn't announce or honor a Securite when entering the Rock Pile.
 
I'm thinking a 68' OA might have a non-owner captain.
 
GFC said:
It's never fun to watch a boat go aground. It's even less of a joy to watch a boat like that go aground.

That's a major oops, and those always seem to happen when there's an audience.
Click to expand...

It might be a bit embarrassing, but a little stuff up and mea culpa is good for the soul. it's stops us from looking down our long noses at other people.

Actually, I have always found it interesting to see how people react when they do come a bit of a cropper, it reveals a bit of a person's character.

As my old dad used to say 'never forget humility and humour, it will see you well'.
 
We've all run aground. Better in mud or sand than on rocks. I just sold a boat and noticed this strange thing on the dash when I got home and looked at the photos. I asked the owner "what is that red and green thing on the dash?" and he said; "It's just a little thing I whipped up as reminder of what direction I'm going at the time." Sheer genius!! He just flips it around for where he's at.DSC_3602.JPG
 
In my neck of the woods there's two types of boaters. Those that have run aground and liars(perhaps slip huggers). I soft grounded twice last year, self rescued both times. Tow Boat US is always on the move around here.
 
Art said:
Knowen whats cha b doen, an, haven dems eight (8) simple items in hand... dere's jus bout taint no place in da world yas cants go wit a boat - and - STAY AFLOAT!!
Click to expand...

:confused: Am I the only one who can't read this? :facepalm: :socool:
 
Art said:
Couple O' "Ol' Salt" Observations Here:


a. Boat Handling Capability - i.e. sea keeping and close-quarters boating knowledge as well as much ability (professional, Rube Goldberg or otherwise) to rectify mostly any mechanical/electronic problems that may arise,
b. Compass,
c. Depth Sounder,
d. Current Paper Charts,
e. Binoculars,
f. Wrist Watch,
g. Paper Tablet - with pen/pencil... and, oh yeah, I almost forgot;
h. Open Eyes that don't fixate on equipment screens and that consistently survey all surroundings and boat portions!

Click to expand...


Art I would like to add that whenever I teach boating I like to mention that one of the most important devices on a trawler is the windshield, if you frequently confirm that you can still look out it, you will save yourself a lot of trouble.
 
I never criticise someone who damages their boat. If you never take it out of the slip you'll never damage it. I too have damaged my girl, fortunately she still let's me take her for a ride. :)

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Trawler
 
Bay Pelican said:
Art I would like to add that whenever I teach boating I like to mention that one of the most important devices on a trawler is the windshield, if you frequently confirm that you can still look out it, you will save yourself a lot of trouble.
Click to expand...

:thumb::thumb::thumb:
 
Greetings,
Two self rescued groundings (hard sand) and a really good thump all within three hours in one day just north of New Smyrna (ICW). Poop occurs.
 
FlyWright said:
:confused: Am I the only one who can't read this? :facepalm: :socool:
Click to expand...

Well, it took me twice before I got it. :D

What I'm still trying to figure out is how nobody ever runs aground if they just followed those 8 simple steps. Especially since a current tide table is not on the list.
 
RT Firefly said:
Greetings,
Two self rescued groundings (hard sand) and a really good thump all within three hours in one day just north of New Smyrna (ICW). Poop occurs.
Click to expand...

Rock House Creek, or intersection of the ICW and Inlet Channel?
 
Capt.Bill11 said:
Well, it took me twice before I got it. :D

What I'm still trying to figure out is how nobody ever runs aground if they just followed those 8 simple steps. Especially since a current tide table is not on the list.
Click to expand...

Capt.Bill - Please note I carefully included caveat phrase "... jus bout taint no..." in my last portion on post #5; which means there is still a chance of grounding even when/if my eight (8) simple “Old Salt” rules are followed. :eek:

And, I agree - current tide table is another good item to be aware of. That said... irrespective of tide level - the same 8ight items I list could help keep ya off the bottom during highs or lows!! :thumb:

Happy Boat Float Daze! - Art :speed boat:
 
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"There but by the grace of God, go I..."
 
Greetings,
Mr. M. The best I can figure out from AC and remember it was the Halifax River where it joins Ponce de Leon cut. We came north the following year through the same area and didn't see less that 10'. Good ole CoE.
 
RT Firefly said:
Greetings,
Mr. M. The best I can figure out from AC and remember it was the Halifax River where it joins Ponce de Leon cut. We came north the following year through the same area and didn't see less that 10'. Good ole CoE.
Click to expand...

RTF, I had the fortunate happening of being asked by the USCG at St. Augustine Marine on the Sebastion River if I would move my boat back for them to dock next to the haulout slip. I said that I would do that if he would update me on the trouble spots around. He laughed and said that it was a deal.

One of the trouble areas that he noted was the area from the entrance to the North Channel of Ponce Inlet, Rock House Creek, and the South entrance just above New Smyrna Beach. He said that the currents run so fast in there that the sand is shifting constantly. Out nearer the inlet you can see the weekend boaters anchored and playing on the spoil bank beaches.
 
Greetings,
Mr. M. 29*05.629'N 080*58.897'W I think... When we approached the area in question and slowed to an idle, we were greeted by a multitude of markers that was, at the time, mind numbing-seemed like 15 or 20 with no obvious route. Charts were no help as they showed 4 or 5 markers. We attempted to navigate through the maze twice (hence the two self rescued occurrences) to no avail. A larger cruiser in the 70' range approached from the south. We backed well off the channel and carefully observed what route he used and after he passed, we were successful in our passage. Shortly thereafter we experienced a solid bump, in the channel, about half way southbound in the P de L cut. It's all good.
 
Perhaps the fellow needed more powerful thrusters:

232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv3%3C%3A%3Enu%3D3363%3E33%3A%3E57%3B%3EWSNRCG%3D3%3A62987237336nu0mrj


....

With shifting bottoms/silting, charts updated every few decades, and postponed dredging, it's a question of who hasn't gone aground in the SF estuary.
 
RT Firefly said:
Greetings,
Mr. M. 29*05.629'N 080*58.897'W I think... When we approached the area in question and slowed to an idle, we were greeted by a multitude of markers that was, at the time, mind numbing-seemed like 15 or 20 with no obvious route. Charts were no help as they showed 4 or 5 markers. We attempted to navigate through the maze twice (hence the two self rescued occurrences) to no avail. A larger cruiser in the 70' range approached from the south. We backed well off the channel and carefully observed what route he used and after he passed, we were successful in our passage. Shortly thereafter we experienced a solid bump, in the channel, about half way southbound in the P de L cut. It's all good.
Click to expand...

Success often happens in boating, when as I say lastly in post # 5:

h. Open Eyes that don't fixate on equipment screens and that consistently survey all surroundings and boat portions! :D
 
Art said:
Capt.Bill - Please note I carefully included caveat phrase "... jus bout taint no..." in my last portion on post #5; which means there is still a chance of grounding even when/if my eight (8) simple “Old Salt” rules are followed. :eek:
Click to expand...

Guess I should have read it 3 times. :D
 
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