I am reminded of an incident several years ago we overheard on the VHF.
We were anchored off Sand Island in the Apostle Islands National
Lakeshore of Lake Superior. We could see dense fog on the open lake just
north of us. There was routine chatter on channel 16. And then I heard
something which caught my attention. The captain of a 1,000 foot
freighter was hailing a recreational boater in the fog. I could only hear
the ship. (The little guy's antenna may not have been high enough or
maybe he was using a handheld. Or maybe the big guy was by now between us
and the recreational boater.) Anyway, the captain on the ship was
scolding the recreational boater to the effect that he had almost ran
over him in the fog. I think his words were "Its only by the grace of
God, I did not run over you. Don't you have your radar on?" Apparently
the little guy replied that it was broke. To which the captain replied,
"Well you had better get it fixed. I had to haul the ship to miss you."
He also asked if the little guy had not heard his fog horn. I don't
remember what the rec boater said on that. But he surely had to have hear
it. But then in the fog, all the little guy knew was that a big ship was
near, not exactly where it was or its heading.

Anyway, I did not know what "Hauling" a ship meant, so I went home and
looked it up in an unabridged dictionary. Its marine sense was to change
course, as I recall. I imagine changing course of a 1,000 foot ship at
speed is not an easy task.

The point is that (a) the little guy put himself in peril by not having a
working radar set and (b) he probably would have perished if the ship did
not have a working radar and an alert radar watch. One might argue the
recreational boater should not have been out in the fog, but in these
parts, fog can roll in very quickly. I'll keep my radar and use it.

David Sorenson
Duluth

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In my boating waters fog in the summer is rare.  And it's light about 20
hours per day.  Thus I rarely have a need for radar.  But that once-per-year
occasion that I do...I'm glad I've got it!

One of the biggest threats out there is being run down by a commercial
vessel.  If you routinely boat in (US) waters with heavy commercial traffic,
a strong case for AIS as essential safety equipment could be made.

Bob Deering
Juneau, Alaska

Snip:"...In my boating waters fog in the summer is rare.  And it's light
about 20
hours per day.  Thus I rarely have a need for radar.  But that once-per-year
occasion that I do...I'm glad I've got it!
One of the biggest threats out there is being run down by a commercial
vessel.  If you routinely boat in (US) waters with heavy commercial traffic,
a strong case for AIS as essential safety equipment could be made...."

I heartily agree with wanting both radar and AIS.  I often use radar to
track those pop up t storms that occur in the summer to hide out if possible
to let them pass...or hunker down.  Had the opportunity to watch a meso cell
storm with a tornado on the ground pass 1-2 miles north of us on the way
north in NC.  I was very nervous for a while.  AIS is great if they are
equipped and transmitting.  Not all commercials do so, including fast
ferries.  Radar is of course very useful on over night passages in open
water using the guard zone.  Often small fishing boats in the Gulf or
offshore in the SE may have obscured lights or just anchor without any.
Also some radars discriminate enough to detect net or fish floats which can
be in very deep water far off shore.  It is also very useful to measure
distance off a known object to verify position.  It is a great tool to help
you avoid trouble and be more comfortable.  Not absolutely required but shoo
is nice!

Joe
"Carolyn Ann"  GH N-37
At the wall in Phoenix, NY Oswego Canal