alcodiesel
Bill McLean
Last week I was sailing along a few miles off of Ocean View heading east. Nice breeze. I was sitting on the leeward side. We were on a reach so I could see, under the jib, ahead just fine.
I noticed a power boat coming at an acute angle to me from the Little Creek area. Didn't really pay that much attention. It was a clear day I could see him just like I assumed he could see me.
After a few minutes he hadn't crossed me yet so I peaked over the cabin roof to get a visual. He was still heading at a close angle for me. I then took notice. There are miles of bay around and this guy just is being friendly and wants to come near for a wave. Fine.
Finally he's maybe 50 feet off my starboard beam when I, standing by now, wave. The person piloting the roaring multi engine outboard has music playing loudly to get over the engines' noise, is looking down at something; reading the paper, watching a youtube, staring at a chart plotter- I could only guess. She (close enough now to see he was a she) never looked up during the whole crossing. My guess is that she never knew I was there.
I plopped down, stunned. If only I had my air horn in the cockpit with me I could have gotten her attention.
Dang! what a lesson. I assumed she saw me. And we all know what assume means, only in this case, I would have been run over by the giant bow of an ocean going outboard.
I now carry the air horn in the cockpit where it is easy to get to.
I noticed a power boat coming at an acute angle to me from the Little Creek area. Didn't really pay that much attention. It was a clear day I could see him just like I assumed he could see me.
After a few minutes he hadn't crossed me yet so I peaked over the cabin roof to get a visual. He was still heading at a close angle for me. I then took notice. There are miles of bay around and this guy just is being friendly and wants to come near for a wave. Fine.
Finally he's maybe 50 feet off my starboard beam when I, standing by now, wave. The person piloting the roaring multi engine outboard has music playing loudly to get over the engines' noise, is looking down at something; reading the paper, watching a youtube, staring at a chart plotter- I could only guess. She (close enough now to see he was a she) never looked up during the whole crossing. My guess is that she never knew I was there.
I plopped down, stunned. If only I had my air horn in the cockpit with me I could have gotten her attention.
Dang! what a lesson. I assumed she saw me. And we all know what assume means, only in this case, I would have been run over by the giant bow of an ocean going outboard.
I now carry the air horn in the cockpit where it is easy to get to.