I Learned About Boating From That - Feeling Crabby

by Capt. Gregg Clark

It was a lovely fall afternoon, and I was returning to a marina with a group of guests following a day-charter.  I knew the channel well, but it was a little tricky. While there were multiple green markers to one side, there was only one red marker to the other.  And, of course, that was the side where the real danger lie as there were multiple rocks just outside the line from the red marker to the end of a seawall. 

The wind was blowing exactly 90° to the channel at a steady 15-18 knots with occasional gusts of 20-22 knots.  I was already steering 10° - 15° to port of my desired course to account for the wind to maintain my desired course over ground. 

This is called putting in a crab angle.  It is required to stay on a desired course over ground to compensate for wind or current.  This crab angle was especially important in this situation given the hazards outside the channel to my starboard. 

As I approached the first red to starboard, I noticed a small boat motoring out, but near the center of the channel.  She had applied no crab angle, in her case an adjustment to starboard would have been required.  The wind was blowing her further towards the opposite side of the channel to which she should have been operating.

I sounded five short blasts on the yacht’s rather loud air horn, the international signal for danger or lack of understanding of another boat’s intentions.  She didn’t alter course.  I hailed her on the VHF on channel 13.  No response. I hailed again on VHF channel 16. No response.  Time was running out.  As she approached closer, now almost dangerously close, I had a crew member on the bow yell, wave and instruct her to immediately alter her course to starboard. Finally, she complied.

Given the angle of the boats, her course directly down the channel and mine pointing towards her, I am sure she assumed I would alter my course to starboard and pass port to port.  But if I turned to starboard for even a short time, I would put myself perilously close to the rocks.

There are a few lessons to be learned from this too close for comfort encounter:

1. Know how wind and current will impact your specific vessel.  Many smaller, lighter boats can be blown quite significantly off their desired course even by moderate winds.  Larger boats always have to account for the windage given their sizable profiles.
2. Reference a chart plotter to see your location. Use a higher level of zoom when operating in a channel to see your exact position.  However, never rely solely on a GPS for position.  Always cross reference with visual checks.
3. When operating in a channel, look behind you to get a true feel for your course over ground.  “Connect the dots” from the last marker to the next.  I’m sure in this instance the boater thought he was staying near his side of the channel by looking forward, not realizing the wind was blowing him towards, and then across, the center of the channel.
4. Pay attention to danger signals sounded by other boats.  First, know what five short blasts means.  Then know what to do if you hear them.
5. Always monitor VHF channels 13 and 16 and respond immediately if called.
6. Even if you think you’re in the right, which I assume this boater must have done, remember that action must be taken if a collision is imminent. 

We all must share the water, especially in points where boats are forced to converge, like channels.  Be a good neighbor!

Capt. Gregg Clark is a test captain for BoatTEST.  He holds a 200 GT master license, has over 50,000 offshore miles under his keel and has been boating and yachting for 40 years. He owns a 56’ Vicem and is co-owner in a 40’ high-performance racing sailboat.  He can be reached at [email protected].

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