The Cutlass - Lowry Bay Yacht Club

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10
Advice from the bridge of the Kaitaki
Jennie Darby (Out-to-Lunch) writes
of a very special experience on a
Cook Strait ferry!
After doing the Wellington to Nelson
race on Am Meer and three races of
the Nelson Regatta, Katie and Geoff
went on to sail the Torrent Bay part
of the Regatta and we (Jennie,
Christian and Simon) went home by
bus and ferry. Simon, who seems to
know someone everywhere chatted
up his friend Kelly and managed to get us up on the bridge of the
Kaitaki with a chance to talk to the captain and the first mate. The
view was wonderful!
We took the opportunity to ask about small boat visibility. The captain
emphasised that there were two key things to improve our visibility in
Cook Strait. Firstly, don’t have navigation lights (port/starboard lights)
at the top of the mast – it makes judging the distance to the boat
difficult from the bridge as it is high above the water level. From there,
a boat with deck-level lights which is further away on the horizon, has
the same appearance. The message: use deck level navigation lights
Secondly, use a radar reflector. Wave height can make it difficult to see
a small boat in the ‘clutter’ on the radar; this is particularly a problem
with wooden or fibreglass boats.
Looking at passive radar reflectors (those that hang up on the boat)
rather than the expensive receiver ones, trying to decide what sort of
radar reflector to use seems to be a matter of debate. The captain
mentioned octahedral reflectors (think three diamonds/circles slotted
together).
A quick search on the internet shows considerable debate on the right
type for small boats. The problems seem to lie in fitting the reflector:
most need to be vertical or rain-catch position, something that could be
difficult to achieve consistently in Cook Strait. Online forums provide a
variety of viewpoints ranging from no passive reflector is any good, to
they are essential.
A report commissioned by the British Maritime Body after a collision
and sinking of the yacht Ouzo advised yachties to fit the most effective
and appropriate radar reflector for your circumstances, and bear in
mind that, if fitting a passive reflector, fit the largest reflector that your
boat can sensibly display. Ensure your reflector is properly installed,
and finally bea aware that, notwithstanding the type of radar reflector
fitted, in certain circumstances your craft may still not be readily visible
on ships’ radars.
In summary the message seems to be for Cook Strait:
• no passive radar reflector is a substitute for keeping a good look out
• any radar reflector is better than nothing (size matters!)
• do your own research and find out what’s best for your boat.