Reminds me of ….
In the 80s I lived in the PNW. There a Washington State Ferry that grounded because it was off course. I believe the reason was the captian was engaged in extra activity with a female friend. In the reporting it was stated the ferry boats do not have depth sounders. The reason was the ferry boats are traveling a fixed route repeatedly that isn't suppose to change so there is no need for a sounder.
My thought was, they are carrying cars and some ferrys carry 40 to 100+. This one was about 50 if I recall correctly. And the state couldn't afford a hundred bucks on a depth sounder? With a sounder it isn't like the operator would avoid a grounding. (They don't exactly turn on a dime) However power could be reversed easily in an immanent grounding. Reducing the potential damage.
And being off course giving lessons to your gf on how to operate a ferry is an issue as well.
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