Coast Goard hovercraft hits unlit anchored sailboat with no radar reflector.

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by Lodesman

Because it was unlit - duh!

I have yet to serve on a ship equipped with headlights, so the onus really is on all vessels to be lit in accordance with the rules.

Having never been to this harbor, but reading what everyone is saying, and knowing what it is like trying to make out boats when silhouetted against a well-lit harbor shore, I would say that if the Coast Guard boat had no spotlight on the bow, they should get one. In a crowded area as described, at night, a good spotlight may be more valuable than AIS or Radar.

[Calif.Ted]

The "prime" directive when operating emergency apparatus has always been "don't hit anything and don't let anything hit you". Defeats your whole mission and needlessly endangers your whole crew if you get in an accident enroute to an incident. He hit a stationary object with a moving one, that's pretty tough to blame on the object.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by jackdale

A hovercraft is covered in ColRegs.

Not specifically, but it is included:

The word “vessel” includes every description of water craft, including non-displacement craft, WIG craft and seaplanes, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water.

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by StuM

Not specifically, but it is included:

The word “vessel” includes every description of water craft, including non-displacement craft, WIG craft and seaplanes, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water.

Specifically covered in Rule 23 b

An air-cushion vessel when operating in the non-displacement mode shall, in addition to the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule, exhibit an all-round flashing yellow light.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by Bill Seal

What about when they're travelling over land?
Motor vehicle code?
Or would it be an Off Road Vehicle?
Or hook a plow to it and call it An Implement of Husbandry?

Then COLREGs don't apply.

[TrentePieds]

Well, in answer to Lodesman:

Yes, of course I've sailed at night, but the significant thing about GH is that the field of debris and detritus is extensive and it's of somewhat variable location - so at night you GROPE your way in :-).

At the speed you do that, a searchlight is very useful indeed, and, in fact, many "yachts" (as well as small commercial boats of many types and in many employments) have them.

We all know how to deal with loss and recovery of night vision. All the fancy electronic doodads are for dealing with stuff that is far, far away - not within three boat lengths. Things that close to you you blast with a million and a half candlepower :-)!

As for coming to the government dock in the "Small Craft Harbour", you can do that by ear :-)!!

Cheers

TrentePieds

[sv_pelagia]

An interesting thread to follow....

So many opinions but only a few who have any idea of the location (Ganges, BC) or the situation.

Pretty common in so many threads here on CF.

[Bill Seal]

Originally Posted by Lodesman

Because it was unlit - duh!

I have yet to serve on a ship equipped with headlights, so the onus really is on all vessels to be lit in accordance with the rules.

As I recall, the old USCG 40 footers had a bigass spotlight right above the helmsman, and they used it alot when we were charging down the Mississippi river at night, dodging logs, gators, and such.

[bcboomer]

The boat that was hit has no mast. Apparently changed hands 3 years ago and has sat there ever since.

Canadian rules require an anchor light at night, no matter where you are anchored.

[japarker11]

Originally Posted by Don C L

Having never been to this harbor, but reading what everyone is saying, and knowing what it is like trying to make out boats when silhouetted against a well-lit harbor shore, I would say that if the Coast Guard boat had no spotlight on the bow, they should get one. In a crowded area as described, at night, a good spotlight may be more valuable than AIS or Radar.

Having encountered the CCG's west coast Hc Fleet multiple times in the last seven years (+2,500 nm) of coastal BC cruising, hovercraft deployments were very limited to SAR locations involving tidal stages, shallow water depths and possible beach access requirements. If medivac was required transfers were made at shore to ground equipment or air ambulance. It seems that deployment of the Siyay for the 30 nm transit to mainland facilities would be extraordinary, possibly related to availability of flight crews/aircraft which are in normal times in great supply.

As for searchlight usage, for SAR duty, the HC's have large stationary arrays and 360 Deg rotating units. However, the slower they go the more vapor/rotor mist is kicked up into these lights essentially blinding the bridge in the direction of travel. It is likely greater than the shore light disruption.

IMHO, this one goes to the duty officer who made the decision to deploy this asset. Hope he and HC crew get commendations for accomplishing a very tough nonstandard assignment with a good outcome.

Wikipedia
A medium-sized, fast*hovercraft, up to 45 knots (83*km/h; 52*mph), multi-tasked vessel which rides on a cushion of air, capable of working in very shallow areas and littoral zones. Has no helicopter capability. Primarily used for search and rescue, aids to navigation, environmental response and icebreaking. Named with Aboriginal words.CCGS*MamilossaCCGS*MoytelCCGS*Sipu MuinCCGS*Siyay

[AKA-None]

May I ask what minimum speed is required for steerage on one of these? Not trying to assign blame just curious how slow can these go and still steer?

[ameehan]

Originally Posted by Don C L

Well, in this case, given that the sailboat was anchored outside of a designated anchorage, unlit and without a radar reflector, it seems pretty clear-cut who was at fault.

Only the light is relevant.

[Lodesman]

Originally Posted by Don C L

Having never been to this harbor, but reading what everyone is saying, and knowing what it is like trying to make out boats when silhouetted against a well-lit harbor shore, I would say that if the Coast Guard boat had no spotlight on the bow, they should get one. In a crowded area as described, at night, a good spotlight may be more valuable than AIS or Radar.

I think some people have given the impression that the shore is a wall of lights - it's not. The town proper is clustered in a small area on the south shore at the end of the inlet. There are houses/cottages up and down both sides, but are for the most part up-hill, well above the sight-lines of anchored vessels. I can't imagine how unpopular any vessel would be shining a bloody spotlight as it drives through the harbour, lighting up live-aboards, blinding other vessels' operators. Not practical.

[Lodesman]

Originally Posted by TrentePieds

Yes, of course I've sailed at night, but the significant thing about GH is that the field of debris and detritus is extensive and it's of somewhat variable location - so at night you GROPE your way in :-).

Unless you're referring to the derelict vessels, or vessels that just appear derelict as detritus/debris, I think hovercraft would not really worry about striking a deadhead or getting caught on a trap-float.

[Lodesman]

Originally Posted by japarker11

However, the slower they go the more vapor/rotor mist is kicked up into these lights essentially blinding the bridge in the direction of travel. It is likely greater than the shore light disruption.

I had this same thought - having watched the video, it's clear that when stationary/slow, the mist from under the cushion obscures vision forward, but when making headway, vision ahead is not so obscured. Perhaps 8 kts was the minimum speed required to keep a clear field of view ahead.