I Keep Peeving Tugs.

[bobofthenorth]

Scoobert, guys like you are why we like winter boating. We typically go back to the prairies in the summer to avoid the onslaught of weekend warriors and fools that the summer brings with it. If you didn't really want to figure out what you were doing wrong WTH did you make your original post? Everybody is telling you the same thing. Listen or don't but don't ever say you weren't warned.

[Lake-Effect]

scoobert - first, kudos, really, for asking questions here. That takes cojones, especially if you know you're going to get scolded. So... keep asking.

In the meantime, get a VHF at the helm, and take some courses, already

[scoobert]

Originally Posted by Lake-Effect

scoobert - first, kudos, really, for asking questions here. That takes cojones, especially if you know you're going to get scolded. So... keep asking.

So get a VHF at the helm, and take some courses, already

thats the plan. i didnt know the horn thing thou, so i learned something valuable. maybe i will post the horn rules to my nav station, where the inland nav rules are posted.

[scoobert]

oh, and i use to run on the yellow bullet forums. we had insult threads that would make mortals cry. i found out the brutality of open forums when i joined the wrong planet forums and suggested that autism may be cured. in case you didnt know some people say autism is a way of life, and not a disability. wow, if you say something contrary to that they tear you up!

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by scoobert

thats the plan. i didnt know the horn thing thou, so i learned something valuable. maybe i will post the horn rules to my nav station, where the inland nav rules are posted.

That's a good idea.
Also, there are flash cards available that represent various types of vessels you may encounter at night, showing what their lighting looks like and the meaning of the light signals. I found them useful to self-quiz.

Ann

[scoobert]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

That's a good idea.
Also, there are flash cards available that represent various types of vessels you may encounter at night, showing what their lighting looks like and the meaning of the light signals. I found them useful to self-quiz.

Ann

thats an interesting one, i started to read on day shapes and such, but have never seen any used so i stopped reading. apparently i am suppose to hoist some sort of triangle thing if i am motoring? anyway flash cards would be a great ref for when i run at night in the ocean.

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by scoobert

thats an interesting one, i started to read on day shapes and such, but have never seen any used so i stopped reading. apparently i am suppose to hoist some sort of triangle thing if i am motoring? anyway flash cards would be a great ref for when i run at night in the ocean.

Before venturing into the open ocean you should know ColRegs pretty much cold. You do not have time to go below to look up a reference card.

The inverted cone is rarely seen in North America. Nor is the anchor ball.

There memory aids that you might learn in a course.

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

That's a good idea.
Also, there are flash cards available that represent various types of vessels you may encounter at night, showing what their lighting looks like and the meaning of the light signals. I found them useful to self-quiz.

Ann

Agreed but they should committed to memory prior to departure. Looking them up in the dark is not feasible.

[Stu Jackson]

There's that old combination of deaf, dumb and blind. You don't use your VHF even though you seemingly admit that perhaps you should. Heck, all you have to do is close your eyes and you'd meet all three criteria.

Good luck, since if you're close enough to a tug to see it, even 1 watt should suffice for contact.

[keyspc]

I think its time to close this thread.
don't ask if you don't want to know.
If you haven't anything nice to say ....

[scoobert]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

Good luck, since if you're close enough to a tug to see it, even 1 watt should suffice for contact.

one day i sat at a lock for 10 min calling the lock master. thinking he may be asleep, i went up to see where he was. he was painting, and said the radio never made a sound.

rubber duck antennas suck. maybe if i had an old 3' steel antenna.....

[Stu Jackson]

I often go out under four drawbridges. My little ole HH VHF has never failed to raise the bridgetenders. You, of course, used the proper channel. Was his radio even on? Did you check your radio to see if it worked? Tad of information seemingly left out of your post. And I simply think you're just completely wrong about HH VHF performance.

[scoobert]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

I often go out under four drawbridges. My little ole HH VHF has never failed to raise the bridgetenders. You, of course, used the proper channel. Was his radio even on? Did you check your radio to see if it worked? Tad of information seemingly left out of your post. And I simply think you're just completely wrong about HH VHF performance.

yes on, yes once inside the lock he could hear me. after that i used my cellphone in a plastic bag to contact the locks.

[Boracay]

Since no one else has suggested it it could be that you have followed the rules and the tug crew are peeved because they had to avoid you or face a very long and protracted legal and inquiry process that could end their careers and ruin their financial future.

As has been suggested if you had been clearly in the wrong they would have been able to hit you and enjoy a good laugh at the pub later.

That said maybe you could phone up a few local tug companies (the lock keepers would know who they are), explain the situation and ask what the problem is. They'll probably tell you and you could also work out what actions are necessary to avoid future unpleasantness.

[Paul Elliott]

I have (since I'm a moderator here) just deleted several posts that were insulting and not germane to the discussion. Please keep it civil!

And Scoobert, you have been given some very good advice. Learn the regulations, and keep a radio at the helm. People's lives and livelihoods are at stake.