While on watch one day from the San Blas Islands in Panama to Jamaica, I had a funny radio conversation with a tanker that I think will amuse all of you.\u00a0 Before I recount the story, there are some things you should know:<\/p>\n
First – AIS.\u00a0 AIS, or Automatic Identification System, is an electronic system we have on the boat that shows us all other vessels (who also have AIS) in an 80 to 150+ mile radius of our boat (sometimes further when we rise up on particularly large waves).\u00a0 When you select an individual vessel (AIS target on our chart plotter screen) it will show – among other things – the vessel’s name, destination, boat speed and heading, when the closest point of contact will occur (CPA) and when that contact will occur (TCPA \u2013 Time to CPA).\u00a0 Before we had AIS, we had to rely solely on our radar (and our eyes).\u00a0 The radar is accurate but not detailed and just shows us blips on a screen and a vessel\u2019s vector approximation. That’s it.\u00a0 Most commercial vessels have AIS (cargo ships, tankers, etc.) so it becomes much easier to see and avoid them when on the high seas.\u00a0 And of course much easier for them to see us since we too are transmitting our positional data to their AIS system.\u00a0 In short, it’s AWESOME.<\/p>\n
Next, the VHF radio.\u00a0 The VHF radio is a “line of sight” communication device that allows us to talk with vessels within about 12 to 20 miles.\u00a0 All vessels are supposed to monitor channel 16 while underway and respond to other vessels hailing them.\u00a0 I’ve hailed dozens of vessels coming down the coast of California, Mexico, Central America and Panama when it looked like they were going to get too close to us. If a vessel was coming within 2 miles or less from us (especially at night), I’d get “on the horn” with them. Down the Pacific Coast, I would hail them in Spanish and make sure they could see us.\u00a0 More often than not, they would offer to alter course.\u00a0 But would always confirm they see us and how they planned to pass us.\u00a0 Technically, since we are a sailing vessel we have “right of way” but considering their size they win! We are happy to yield our right of way.<\/p>\n
OK \u2013 so here is the story:<\/p>\n
It’s about 2pm and I see that there is a 450-foot tanker that is headed straight for us.\u00a0 Our CPA will be zero feet.\u00a0 I believe that\u2019s what’s called a collision course!\u00a0 TCPA is 45 minutes.\u00a0 I get on the radio and hail the vessel:<\/p>\n
Benevento: “Vessel Maemi.\u00a0 Vessel Maemi.\u00a0 This is sailing vessel Benevento.\u00a0 Do you copy?\u00a0 Over.”\u00a0 (I hail them in Spanish and English just to be safe).<\/p>\n
No answer<\/p>\n
Benevento:\u00a0 “Tanker Maemi.\u00a0 Tanker Maemi.\u00a0 This is sailing vessel Benevento. Do you copy?\u00a0 Over.”<\/p>\n
Maemi:\u00a0 “Is someone hailing Maemi?”<\/p>\n
Benevento: “Yes, Maemi.\u00a0 This is Benevento.\u00a0 We are a sailing vessel and our CPA is zero with a TCPA of 45 minutes.\u00a0 We have limited maneuverability as a sailing vessel.\u00a0 What are your intentions for passing us?”<\/p>\n
Maemi:\u00a0 “One moment.”<\/p>\n
15-second pause<\/p>\n
Maemi:\u00a0 “What is your position please?<\/p>\n
Benevento: (gives coordinates)<\/p>\n
Maemi:\u00a0 “What is your position again?
\nBenevento: (gives coordinates)<\/p>\n
Maemi: \u201cOk, yes. Now I see you.\u00a0 I will pass your bow.\u201d<\/p>\n
Benevento: \u201cThank you for that Maemi.\u00a0 Benevento standing by on 16.\u201d<\/p>\n
60 seconds later<\/p>\n
Maemi: \u201cBenevento. Benevento.\u00a0 This is Maemi.\u201d<\/p>\n
Benevento: \u201cThis is Benevento\u201d<\/p>\n
Maemi: \u201cPlease switch to 14.\u201d<\/p>\n
Benevento: \u201cSwitching to 14.\u201d<\/p>\n
Maemi: \u201cWe will be passing to your stern, not your bow.\u00a0 We will pass port to port.\u00a0 Understand this is for safety reasons.\u201d<\/p>\n
Benevento: \u201cYes, thank you Maemi.\u00a0 We will watch for you to our port side.\u201d<\/p>\n
Let me pause here and explain that for \u201csafety reasons\u201d it would have been better if Mami had passed our bow. We were going North and the wind was coming from the Northeast.\u00a0 Therefore, we are being pushed West (toward our left, or port side.) and can\u2019t point any higher.\u00a0 We would have to tack to clear them if things got too close, but better to fall off from the wind if they weren’t passing over our bow.\u00a0 Not a problem, but it is blowing hard, waves our big and the sails are nicely trimmed.\u00a0 He obviously doesn\u2019t understand this and it becomes clear shortly. But we have enough room with his course change (we can see it on our AIS screen as we are speaking).<\/p>\n
Maemi: \u201cBenevento this is Maemi.\u201d<\/p>\n
Benevento: \u201cThis is Benevento.\u201d<\/p>\n
Maemi: \u201cI\u2019ve changed course, but you are still getting closer to us. Are you changing your heading?\u201d<\/p>\n
Benevento: \u201cNegative. \u00a0We are a sailing vessel so if the wind shifts then our course will alter as well.\u00a0 We are using the wind. Over.\u201d<\/p>\n
Maemi: \u201cOoooh.\u00a0 I see.\u00a0 You are using the wind. The wind. A sailing vessel.\u201d<\/p>\n
Benevento: \u201cLooks like our closest point of contact will be more than a mile so we\u2019re OK.\u201d<\/p>\n
Maemi: \u201cYes.\u00a0 OK.\u00a0 The wind.\u00a0 I will watch for you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Benevento: \u201cThank you.\u00a0 Benevento standing by on 16.\u201d<\/p>\n
We note that Maemi changes its course even more.\u00a0 A lot more.\u00a0 We now have loads of sea room.\u00a0 We wave as they pass by but they are too far away to see us.<\/p>\n
I think this guy was amazed that there are still vessels out on the high seas still using wind to travel by!<\/p>\n
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