T&T: Radar and Rule 7 (was FOG)

[Rich Gano]

Let's hope this doesn't devolve into that same sort of morass my comments on
use of mooring lines generated. :)

Please note that the following comes from a professional background of
peering intently into radars aboard ship and boat since 1965, and using one
for me in a maneuvering situation in zero visibility is, well, like second
nature.  I have never had an accident at sea, I am still occasionally
entrusted with nighttime close-quarters navigation of the odd billion-dollar
destroyer or cruiser where somebody else uses the Aegis radar, but I still
use my own senses after careful consideration of what's on my GPS-laptop.

My comments are my own thoughts on this matter and will not find full
agreement even amongst the pros (or amateurs) on this list.

I don't for a minute dispute thoughts like Henry's, "If there is a collision
and the hearing person thinks that the radar would have helped you avoid the
collision you are in deep do do."  I also like very much the attitude that
use of the radar in good daylight conditions trains you to use your unit -
bravo (I do that once in awhile to ensure good calibration of the radar as
well before I NEED it as conditions begin to deteriorate).

However, I take to heart the initial words of Rule 7, "Every vessel shall
use all available means appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and
conditions..." and tend to NOT slavishly use the radar on my trawler on
clear days (and sometimes not on clear nights - in my home waters either).
It would be awfully embarrassing to hit something not noted by radar, like a
kayaker who tends to be out on clear days rather than in foggy conditions,
while I am pre-occupied looking at a scope.  I am certain I'd find less
sympathy from a hearing officer over non-use of radar in an incident
happening on a clear night than on a clear day and WAY less sympathy if
visibility was inhibited.  However, with all my senses operating unimpeded
and at their full capacity on a clear day, I am less likely to find myself
in front of an admiralty officer in the first place....

When I am operating a ship, I am in a very different mode, mostly because of
the manpower and technology (more on that below) available.  Aboard ship the
radar is on 24/7, and somebody is making full use of its wonderful
capabilities.  In my trawler, I tend to want my own senses undistracted by
my radar (can I legally make full use of its capabilities when I am alone?)
in conditions where I think I might otherwise be distracted by the unit.  As
conditions begin to indicate that I would be aided rather than distracted by
the radar, it comes on.  Note that anytime I am using radar, I consider that
I am in conditions where I am more likely to have a collision with something
than when I am operating in clear daylight; and the already slow speed comes
off the trawler as we crawl along; and all senses are more fully alerted.

Lastly, I would be remiss in not pointing out that my poor old radar is not
capable of many of the helpful functions found on more modern units, and it
takes a bit more concentration to decipher what is going on with it as
constant attention is required to ensure all contacts within the concerned
range are seen.  While my unit can detect a pelican at a quarter mile flying
low across my bow, it has no variable range marker, only relative heading,
no range alarms, no automated contact tracking software, etc, etc.  So what
capabilities your radar has should also be factored in to how you use your
radar as well as your own capacity as a skipper, the weather, visibility,
traffic congestion, nearness to land or shoal waters, and a few other things
I probably forgot.

Enjoy your radar and watch out for cataracts (got some myself) if it is a
CRT model.

Rich Gano
7407 Sale Blvd
Southport, FL 32409
850-271-8663