[dennismc]

Mandatory logging of time, course etc every 15 mins...mandatory resetting of radar out to maximum and scaling back in to minimum every 10 mins along with logging of targets and range, I did with crew from Vancouver to Mexico and from Ft Lauderdale to Vancouver, worked really well till 2 mutinied in North California on return from Mexico, replaced them and on we went...you do what you as Captain feels is necessary to maintain safety, specially on pleasure craft where many think it is less important.

[tirekicker11]

Originally Posted by K1W1

Hi,

Tirekickrr, up to now you have seemed reasonably competent, your current post call that into doubt.

If you are going somewhere from around Singaporebattention by your watch keepers is paramount.

Don't take on idiots or in experienced people for kegs around there. Big ships don't see small boats very well and do not often respond to radio calls from small boats that ain't on AIS.

KiWi, it's a brand new boat with only VHF installed.
I bring and install my Echomax active radar transponder, AIS on my laptop, soft and paper charts, Epirb etc.

I wish I could have the AIS transponder but this will have to be programmed with boat's MMSI everytime I deliver a new boat, so not feasable unfortunately.

Crew is experienced and qualified but new to me. We'll have a 2 on- 1 off watch schedule.

Just read the MAIB publication on the grounding of FV Golden Promise that made me start considering bringing a clock.
It's a Taiwan Straits passage, so lots of traffic and poor viz with choppy following seas.

[costalive]

Originally Posted by K1W1

Hi,

Tirekickrr, up to now you have seemed reasonably competent, your current post call that into doubt.

If you are going somewhere from around Singaporebattention by your watch keepers is paramount.

Don't take on idiots or in experienced people for kegs around there. Big ships don't see small boats very well and do not often respond to radio calls from small boats that ain't on AIS.

I second this!

[Bamboo]

I hope I never come close to a boat you are on in the water. If you are relying on a $10 kitchen alarm clock to insure "you" (as captain) don't hit the rocks, get rammed or do the ramming I question your whole abilities. Sorry to offend but that's what you are asking in a nutshell.

[Marmot]

Originally Posted by Bamboo

If you are relying on a $10 kitchen alarm clock to insure "you" (as captain) don't hit the rocks, get rammed or do the ramming I question your whole abilities.

Oh for Heaven's sake ... there are countless examples of maritime accidents that would most likely have been prevented if there had been a kitchen timer on the bridge.

It is a bit unreasonable to attack someone for looking for an alternative to doing nothing as is the case in the vast majority of one-man bridge situations.

[Ken Bracewell]

Originally Posted by Marmot

It is a bit unreasonable to attack someone for looking for an alternative to doing nothing as is the case in the vast majority of one-man bridge situations.

Well said. Although, I am never a proponent of one-man bridge operation in the overnight hours. During the daytime I can sometimes let a one-man watch slide since there are always enough people around to check in with, or to notice if something has gone awry.

[tirekicker11]

Originally Posted by Bamboo

I hope I never come close to a boat you are on in the water. If you are relying on a $10 kitchen alarm clock to insure "you" (as captain) don't hit the rocks, get rammed or do the ramming I question your whole abilities. Sorry to offend but that's what you are asking in a nutshell.

Bamboo you're not offending because it's pretty clear that you haven't really read my posts or you don't get what I'm trying to tell.

Apart from all the precautions I am taking (as explained in my previous post) I am looking into the possibility to have a nightwatch alarm. This because I've just read an article where a ship run aground because the night watch fell asleep.
I do know quite a lot of delivery skippers that deliver brand new, minimal equipped boats but I don't know anyone who brings an alarm clock with them, in fact most of them don't bring an active radar reflector/ detector or AIS receiver like I do.

I think every skipper should do everything that is possible but feasible to improve safety at sea. When a $10.- egg timer may improve safety but a commercial style clock is out of the possibilities then my choice is easy made.

What bridge alarm have you installed on your boat?