"Embarass"

• Hold sombody up
• To hinder of impeed somebody or something

Guys,

I think that blinding the bridge of a vessel is embarrassing it. Destroying
the night vision of the helmsman will impede the USCG vessel. Of course, you
don't know she's a CG vessel. Approaching blacked-out at night is a bad
practice and the CG should rethink it in regard to low speed pleasure
vessels as it places the skipper and crew in fear.

If I was being shadowed by a vessel visible on radar only; I would try to
illuminate her bow to see if she was USCG. If she didn't appear to be a CG
vessel, I'd put out a MAYDAY. The other reasonable alternative would be a
white flare - that would certainly clarify things!

Phil, your shotgun should not need loading. It might need unloading before
they board.

Ron

----- Original Message -----
From: randyha@comcast.net

| "Embarass"
| - Hold sombody up
| - To hinder of impeed somebody or something

-----Original Message-----
From: Ron Rogers
Approaching blacked-out at night is a bad practice and the
CG should rethink it in regard to low speed pleasure
vessels as it places the skipper and crew in fear.

If I was being shadowed by a vessel visible on radar only; I would try to
illuminate her bow to see if she was USCG.

REPLY
The use of any search light can be percieved as an aggressive act such as
attmpting to blind the opposition, as a prelude ot opening up fire of your
own,  etc.
That in turn might provoke a similar defensive or premptive response if the
darkened boat is a USCG patrol.
And if they are pirates; the light will give them a perfect aiming point to
shoot at.

My advice stands:  stay cool, stay dark, and holler for help om the radio.
Any legit USCG patrol would at that point identify themselves properly and
approach with caution but in a manner not intended to provoke a fear driven
response from you.

Cheers
Arild

(SNIP) Phil, your shotgun should not need loading. It might need unloading
before they board. Ron

It's always loaded, but no shell is chambered.  When they board me and ask
about weapons, I tell them be careful, there is a loaded shotgun in the aft
cabin over the berth.  They write down the numbers on the shotgun and
continue on with the inspection. It doesn't seem to bother them a bit.

Personally, I would never point a bazillion candle power light in anyone's
bridge, lit or not, because I know what my reaction would be and it wouldn't
be pretty.

                                      Regards....

Phil Rosch
Old Harbor Consulting
M/V "Curmudgeon" MT44 TC
Currently lying Bond Creek, NC