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Subject: TWL: Buddy Boating
From: Michael Maurice (mikem@XXX.XXX)
Date: Sun Dec 01 2002 - 10:07:03 EST
My older sons reached the stage a few years ago where we could consider
doing dual deliveries at the same time. There are a number of issues of
planning and safety which we had never considered in that context and since
these issues are of some interest to others I thought I would post some of
the ones I can easily recall.
First we created a defined set of guidelines deciding whether 2 boats were
suitable for running in tandem.
Since there is no perfect match these guidelines are not written in stone
and subject to a good deal of debate each time we would consider a project.
1. Similar cruising speeds, similar top speeds.
2. Similar hull configurations. Size, rough water ability.
3. Similar fuel ranges, not necessarily similar fuel burn rates.
We had a spelled out decision process on what to do if:
1. Separated.
2. Out of radio contact.
3. Broke down.
A plan for towing each other, if necessary.
In order to have an orderly trip, we set up certain equipment to improve
the coordination between boats.
Identical GPS's on each boat with identical waypoint lists. So that
waypoints could be selected easily and be certain of having the same
lat/lon. Same model GPS, same software version, identical!!
The worst case scenario required 4 GPS's.
Handheld radios, separate from the boats radios, as a fall back.
Most importantly, Cell phones (coastal obviously), for worst case
communications.
Identical copies of all documentation, contacts, fuel docks, etc.
The chart problem was solved by giving them the best chart materials, while
I carried the secondary materials, usually copies of the entrance itself.
As a practical matter we have done about a dozen of these kinds of
operations and if practice makes perfect well then, at least we have worked
some of the kinks out of the system. But, there is no perfect system.
The matching of boats has never been quite as good as one would like, but
we have been careful to pick weather suitable for both boats to operate in.
In one case we had a boat with no radar and another with, so at night and
in fog, the one with radar would lead the way, with the other following.
Such a situation requires that there be several means of communication or
the boat with out radar is in a bit of trouble.
Actually this no radar business has happened several times.
If instant communications were necessary, we would set up 2 radios on each
boat. A VHF and a UHF set up such that even if one failed the other would
still be there to call the other boat with.
If you are going to try this sort of thing yourself, here is the one single
piece of advise I would lay on you.
These things can go very smoothly, but however you do them, they are always
based on some underlying assumptions, usually about being able to talk back
and forth or impart some piece of information or decision to the other
boat. If you cut corners by trying to get by without the necessary
communications gear like I have described above, then the entire plan and
system begins to fall apart.
And it will, in fog, in bad weather and you will be wishing you had checked
the batteries or replaced a radio that was marginal, etc.
We carried extra batteries for every single piece of electronics equipment
and made sure to keep them recharged.
Regards,
Mike
Capt. Mike Maurice
Wilsonville, Near Portland Oregon
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