Cruising during night time

[bluestreak]

As a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, we frequenly go out after dark for training.
You would think a full moon would be a help but it actually is a hinderance.
Trying to find training aids at night in the light path from the moon is really difficult.
These aids have refective bands and we have better luck finding them with our searchlights/spotlights.

As was mentioned, your night vision is your best friend after dark and you need to do everything to preserve it.
Minimal illumination on your dash instruments lights is a must.
The first time out might make you a little nervous.
Here is a suggestion.
If possilble, go out during the day and then travel the same area at night and note the differences.
It goes without saying that slower speed is needed.

Know what a vessel's navigation lights look like, red, green and white and the aspects as they change direction and as you move.
Try it and I think your nervousness will diminish with practice.
Bill

 

[etcwade]

Hello everyone,

I made my first night run on Monday, a short run from Phinney Bay to Port Orchard. It was a great night, unexpectedly clear with little wind. I too ran into issues with glare. I did try my sunglasses and they helped some. I think what helps the most is our situational awareness.

Sail safe,

Gary

 

[doke01]

I boat at night often. It is better to do it in areas you are already familiar with during daytime cruising. The key is taking your time, reviewing your charts/GPS early and often, keeping light out of your eyes, and making sure you are always aware of the direction you are going. I like to take guests out, do a 360, and ask them to point to where they think home is. They always fail. Even the boaters, who are generally daytime boaters. If you ever get into a position where you are not sure where you are or the direction you are pointing, stop and re-evaluate.

You will be surprised how much you can actually see at night. It is very rare that nights are so dark that you see absolutely nothing. Protecting your night vision is key. Make sure everyone on board knows not to turn on lights and that they don't shine lights into your eyes from things like cell phones. I have only had to use the searchlight once during travel in my night time adventures (other then finding the channel markers to my dock). Last summer we were traveling through Barnegat bay to get to an anchorage and anywhere outside of the channel is pretty shallow, especially at low tide like it was. The GPS, radar, searchlight, and a head stuck out the helm window were all in play on that night.

 

[knotflying]

It takes almost 30 minutes for the cones in your eyes to adjust to night vision. Keeping any light on other than red greatly reduces your night vision. You should also have you GPS adjusted as low as possible as well as any other needed equipment such as the auto pilot.

 

[sleepyboat]

I could not see the pictures that BAZ had on his message, so I hope I this is not a repeat. I watch Ship Shape TV from time to time an saw this product (See Cannon) on one of the shows. Low lux is older technology but effective and less expensive than FLIR. I got caught coming up river after running aground and it was too dark for me to navigate but I was fortunate to have my nephew on board, who has been traveling the Parker since he was four and we got in with no problem. If I had this device it would have been ice cream, even for my old eyes.

http://nitetoday.com/

John DeCaro