T&T: Cape Canaerval to the Tenn-Tom (running the TT at night)

[Rich Gano]

I was in a situation on the Tenn-Tom where I wanted to run a 50-mile section
at night, but I was not adequately equipped to do so - we spent an
uncomfortable night waiting for daylight to proceed.  However, I did run the
last few miles from north to south (easy run) into Midway Marina in pitch
black and did OK.

Next time I go up that way, I will have the gear to do it right, on the off
chance I need to run at night.

What am I talking about here?

Although there were a couple of small sections where my electronic charts of
the Tenn-Tom showed us crossing the land necks of an oxbow or two, I would
still want to have ECs before attempting any night ops on the Tenn-Tom.
They allow you to have quick geo reference so you know which way the next
bend goes as well as its name for purposes of your security calls.  No need
to have the co-pilot following along with hardcopy charts and a sticky
marker (we had ready in case but rarely used).

AIS would be nice to have, but I would still use my radio at every bend to
announce my presence in case you are encountering a tow with an out of
commission AIS or just another nut like myself.  Anticipate a tow every
couple of hours or so.

Radar is not so useful in the narrow areas, but we did use ours when the
morning fog got thick in the early mornings in October and November.  On a
clear night, I probably would not be referring to it, if I had adequate
lighting.

LIGHTS!!!  I will equip a bar full of automotive spots and floods to be
slung under the anchor pulpit where they will not shine on any part of the
boat to blind me (Marin sez the guys in the PNW call these log lights).
They will be aimed ahead and off to the sides to give perspective on the
shorelines to port and stbd.  A switchbox to control various combinations
will be wired in with a long enough cord to reach the flying bridge or lower
helm.

I would not run the ditch at night when daylight revealed significant debris
in the water or if fog/rain/smoke or some other visibility-reducing factors
were in evidence.

We never transited a lock in darkness, I am uncertain about any possible
restrictions for pleasure vessels doing this.

Lastly, this is not one of those kinds of things you should do alone.  A
second alert watch stander is really needed.

Rich Gano
CALYPSO (GB-42 #295)
Southport, FL