C and D canal

[Thad Van Gilder]

By the way, guys, The C and D canal is fully illuminated with street lights. So add that one into your smackhead arguement.

-Thad

[WillW]

So let's see, that should make a 3:00 a.m. excursion, in principle, an ok thing to do.

[Gary E]

ok so over 100 people have looked at this....and
I ask....How come, if it's lit as you claim....
THEY didnt see a BARGE and TUG that's BIGGER THAN A freekin BARN???

[Ian McColgin]

As was mentioned on the other thread, I would be nice to have a more comprehensive account.

A barge being pushed can be a bit hard to see in the night. Even if it's running lights are visible it can be strange against background clutter. And some folk sometimes forget that the absence of light is just as important. Like entering any large, well lit port a big area of black is a ship.

I learned when tugging that yachties do not listen in enough on 13 for security calls. Or make them.

[S.V. Airlie]

One point no one mentioned is how deceptive a tanker moves. Even in broad daylight, you look behind ya and there is one what seems to be three miles away. The next minute you look back and wow, there it is.
I'm guessing there are restrictions on speed but I bet at night, any tanker either coming from behind or at you does not appear to be going THAT fast and that perception of speed is magnified.

[David Tabor (sailordave)]

I've transited the C/D both at night and in daylight... IIRC, you must power through the canal NO SAILING.
In the article the captain says they were sailing. Now, were they sailing as in w/ sails up or sailing as in moving the boat? (As in " The cruise ship set sail...") Since it's pretty obvious they were MOVING, his use of the word sailing would indicate to me they were literally sailing. Hmmmmm.


Either way, his daughter is one lucky girl.

[Thad Van Gilder]

You, know, now that I think of it, I was over taken by 3 Naval academy 100 footers who used no sound signals... I didn't know they overtook me untill They where 25 feet abeam me...

-Thad

[Gary E]

Three people aboard the Heron, which was eastbound under engine power at the time of the collision, were treated at Union Hospital in Elkton for minor injuries and released, Winslow said.


http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070514/md_canal_collision.html?.v=1

[willmarsh3]

The C&D canal does indeed have a no sailing rule. One must motor through it.
I compare this to transiting the Tenn-Tom. I did it in September, 2001. The standard procedure is to broadcast and listen for security messages on VHF 16. They indicate where towboats are. The cruising guides say VHF 13 but that doesn't work. When you find a towboat approaching, radio them with "Towboat southbound at mile marker 163 this is S/V Andrea Lynn northbound at mile marker 152 on channel 16" Then a discussion ensues as to whether to pass on the "One Whistle" (port) or "Two Whistle" (starboard). If coming around a bend they may instruct you to hold near the point of the bend while they pass.
They always say never cut in front of the barges. If your engine fails you would be toast.
I'm told the wake of a towboat with barges can wash a boat up onto the bank and strand her.
I would never consider sailing past a towboat and barges in a narrow channel - it's just too dangerous.

[S.V. Airlie]

I would never consider sailing past a towboat and barges in a narrow channel - it's just too dangerous.

Sounds good in theory Will.. The C&D is 13 miles long. If, under power you move at say 6 knots, it will take you two hours.. If a barge is coming into the C&D, as an example but is 10 miles away, you will run into ito it.. not literally I hope, but you will be in the canal at the same time. Ya can't avoid this. I don't care how you plan or when you go through... Same with the Cape Cod Canal.
Keep in mind, the tanker may be running at 10 knots.

[Woxbox]

Plus you get a tidal current through that canal, which may make your trip even longer. But it's plenty wide enough to keep out from under a barge if you're on your toes. They had two people on deck, not sure how they both missed it.

[Gary E]

Plus you get a tidal current through that canal, which may make your trip even longer. But it's plenty wide enough to keep out from under a barge if you're on your toes. They had two people on deck, not sure how they both missed it.


Blinded by the bright lites???


By the way, guys, The C and D canal is fully illuminated with street lights. So add that one into your smackhead arguement.

-Thad

[Alan]

Not directly related to this tread. But the mention of the C&D reminds me of the fact that there is a C&D Museum at the Chesapeake City End. Very interesting (also free)

Worth a visit if you are in the area.

[Mike DeHart]

I thought the article stated that the collision happened west of Chesapeake city. That would be beyond where the streetlights run. In that section it is wider and navigation is aided with range lights. Perhaps both captains were focused on the range lights and took little notice of their surroundings, putting both smack in dead center channel. As far as running the C&D at night, I used to run from Ches City to the Delaware River and across at midnight or later almost every weekend of the summer. This was when Schaeffers had a great steel drum band every weekend. I did it, still do but not as often, in a 16 foot looneyum Starcraft. Safe? I think so, but I don't drive stupid and I keep a sharp watch for those who do. Barges and such have a speed restriction and have never given me a problem. You learn to see the dark spot that is darker than the surroundings. My biggest fears in the C&D are: 1. the yahoos in the big penile go-fasts that think they can safely run 60+mph after dark; and 2. the motor-yachters who seem to enjoy setting their throttles to the "max wake" position, tossing me about like a big tennis ball.

(It seems I missed something in the previous thread. I hope I didn't just step into a family squabble.)

[Bark]

I was just talking to my next door neighbor, and it occurred to me (duh!) that we saw Heron last week from our deck as she made her way north in the Chesapeake Bay. We were both outside with binos, commenting on what a beautiful vessel she was. I remember being tempted to hail her on the VHF just to identify her, she was so pretty. Must have been her; timing was just right.:(