Do we ove rely on electronics in our boats to keep us safe?

[BugsBunnyBoater]

Each time the question is asked about going offshore in a boat we all seem to chime in with GPS, VHF, seatow EPIRB ect.
One of my dads friend was looking at my boat and I was telling him about how I need to install my GPS in it. He actually laughed and told me about how he would go out with a chart and compass. He asked if I could use a chart and compass. I actually started to think about how until recently GPS and fish finders came down so we could all have them.
I guess the one thing we really need cant be bought good ole common sense. Weather looks to bad dont got to far out. Boat not right done go out and done go depending on sea tow to bring you back.

 

[cimy3]

Re: Do we ove rely on electronics in our boats to keep us safe?

Electronics are fun...but my boat has a compass next to the electronic GPS. I make sure I can get back to port without use of electronics.

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Do we ove rely on electronics in our boats to keep us safe?

Well...

There was a time people usta drive cars with out safety glass, seat belts, collapsing steering columns, crumple zones, air bags, VSC, and lived to tell about it. But..... all those things make a car safer.

I agree that knowledge of tried and true maritime navigation and safety should be observed, along with good old fashioned common sense. But....anything additional that can help you safely get home at the end of your voyage shouldn't be discredited because it's new and electronic.

 

[Woodnaut]

Re: Do we ove rely on electronics in our boats to keep us safe?

....anything additional that can help you safely get home at the end of your voyage shouldn't be discredited because it's new and electronic.

Exactly. Going out in a boat, especially offshore, should be a premeditated event. There's no substitute for good maintenance, good planning or good judgement. Putting out in a properly equipped vessel (no matter what size it is) falls into the "good judgement" category. Planning for the inevitable failure of that equipment also takes the same good judgement.

 

[NetDoc]

Re: Do we ove rely on electronics in our boats to keep us safe?

I go out with multiple compasses and two GPSes. One on my Android tablet and one on my phone. I also have two radios: one on the boat and one rated to 400 ft, the Nautilus Life Line (a diver's equivalent of an e-pirb). I'll be adding another dedicated GPS and Depth finder when I can afford the one I really want. Until then, I'll stick to waters I know and can navigate by sight. If you rely on electronics, go redundant. The further out you go, the more redundant you should be. When I dive in caves, I bring at least three lights and almost always four: two primaries and two back ups. Why? Three is two, two is one and one is as good as none. Even though they don't go out of the day light zone, cavern divers still need three lights; the sun and two others. As long as you stay in sight of your exit (sunlight) you know the way home. Still, the electronics (lights) are wonderful backups should a storm suddenly take away your guiding light. No, I won't put myself in jeopardy with insufficient back ups but I refuse to overly rely on antiquated methodologies as well. I don't feel a need to learn how to use an astrolabe or a sextant. Its the same reason I don't need to learn Morse code or semaphore. The technology is far, far better. Taking a luddite approach to technology is incredibly fool hardy.

Take a lesson from history. When compasses were first put on boats most people could use them but with varying degrees of success. A line was soon introduced as a way to make navigation far more reliable. Many of the mariners of the time scoffed at the need for such a line. People who needed them were idiots in their eyes... or lubbers as they called idiots back then. Even today, its called the lubber line and a land lubber is an idiot who does not belong out on the water. Today, there is no shame in using the lubber line though its still named after the idiots of old. Too funny really. Those who seem to decry our over dependence on electronics only show they inability to adapt. While others are enjoying the benefits and fun provided by advances in navigation, they're stuck on doing the old, hard and less accurate way!

 

[Bridar]

Re: Do we ove rely on electronics in our boats to keep us safe?

A GPS is great, but you need to have a back up, and if possible, a back up to the backup. Anyone navigating on the ocean needs to have some conventional navigation skills. That being said, I wouldn't go as far as to say you need to learn Morse code or pack a sextant along with you... lol

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Do we ove rely on electronics in our boats to keep us safe?

Some oldsters may laugh about electronics but maybe that's part of the reason average life expectancy is now 76 instead of 66. I agree though that on big water charts and a compass are needed as back up to anything electronic since they can get finnicky and easily stop working.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Do we ove rely on electronics in our boats to keep us safe?

I have driven a friend's boat back to the Venice, LA marina from 28 miles offshore thru an unfamilure maze of canals, rigs, and other hazards following the GPS trail and travle all over the US using GPS in rental cars...But I always bring a printed map along. I have had 2 GPS units fail while on the road- in a boat there are not many places to " pull over and ask directions"

 

[BugsBunnyBoater]

Re: Do we ove rely on electronics in our boats to keep us safe?

I am in no way saying new technology is bad I am just thinking we seem to have forgotten what we did before we had certain items.
We go from must have item to must have item ...

 

[NetDoc]

Re: Do we ove rely on electronics in our boats to keep us safe?

in a boat there are not many places to " pull over and ask directions"

You could learn a few captain's lessons from Captain Ron: http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=cOPl21EVhaU

Captain Ron: We should be okay. 'Cause I know we're near land.
Martin Harvey: Great, Cap. Great. Ya hear that? We're almost there. Explain to the kids how you know that, Captain Ron. Someone translate for General Armando.
Captain Ron: Alright, now stay with me: When we left, we had just enough fuel to make it to San Juan. And now... we are out of fuel!