Drifting: Doing it the Right Way

[LazyCruiser]

good morning everyone!

Some of you may recall my first appearance here w/this thread:
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=436246&highlight=impressive

So I am looking to learn how to drift correctly by sending the proper signals to other boats on the lake.

What I like to do is go out into the middle of Lake Champlain where it is several miles from any shore (like across from Burlington, for instance) and cut my engine, and drift. Book in hand, tunes playing, getting lots of sun. Dare I admit that I let myself fall asleep?

I often do this for quite a long time. It's how I enjoy my boat.

So the question is: How do I send the right signals that my boat is drifting and not really 'under command'?

as always: thank you and I am grateful for the knowledge that you guys share with me.

Sarah

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Drifting: Doing it the Right Way

I just re-read some of the Michigan Boater Education Book and see nothing that says anything about a boat that is drifting specificly.
But, any way you slice it, the over taking boat has the responsibility of avoiding an incident, period.
I also read your other post and I think the sailboat captain was just an idiot.
As also stated in that post, common sense is not so common anymore.
Just keep doing what your doing, sound fine to me.
By the way, we do the same out in the lake and dont have any problems, also DNR is always out there and trust me they will tell you if your doing anything slightly wrong. Some times you even get an award for it.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Drifting: Doing it the Right Way

i drift a lot too.
in the day i don't know of anything special to do to let others know i'm not under command.
at night, i run full nav. lights. bow and stern. since i'm not at anchor where i would only run the aft stern light.

as for them sail boats. they always buzz me too. i think it's a sail boat man thing. they just gotta see how close they can come. prove they have great sailing skills. i've had some come by so close that, just like ya say. i could reach out and touch the sail boat for how close they come by...

 

[sasto]

Re: Drifting: Doing it the Right Way

I don't leave the boat unattended while at drift.....even in the wide expanse of the Atlantic I keep one eye on my suroundings. But thats just me! I've been told I'm not normal....in this forum...and at home.

 

[ThePartsMan]

Re: Drifting: Doing it the Right Way

I think the right way to drift is to keep a look out for obstacles.

If you are not going to pay attention to were you are going or what you are bumping into you should anchor your boat.

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Drifting: Doing it the Right Way

I don't think there is any "proper" way just don't stop in the known channel is about the only rule. If a boat operator can't tell he is approaching a non moving object he shouldn't be driving the boat. That of course doesn't stop them from driving so it is best to err on the side of caution and keep a look out at all times for you're own safety. We have had several drinkers ramp over non moving boats in the last several years.

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: Drifting: Doing it the Right Way

Dare I admit that I let myself fall asleep?

Once you do that outside an anchorage (without anyone else onboard to maintain a proper "lookout") you are violating the most basic safety rule of navigation, and no signal is appropriate to relieve you from your responsibility to maintain a proper lookout (Rule 5). Your boat does not qualify as "NUC" simple because you fall asleep, as that is not an "exceptional circumstance" contemplated by the rules (Rule 3 (f)).

I think what you are doing is absolutely fine, so long as you don't fall asleep, and pay attention to the surrounding boat traffic, which is always important to do, as your previous experience demonstrated. Snoozing onboard should be reserved for a safe spot while at anchor.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Drifting: Doing it the Right Way

The day signal for "Not under command" is two black balls, one over the other. BUT, that is essentially the same as signaling for help, not that anyone would know what they meant anyway?

Red over red, the captain is dead!

 

[NYBo]

Re: Drifting: Doing it the Right Way

Once you do that outside an anchorage (without anyone else onboard to maintain a proper "lookout") you are violating the most basic safety rule of navigation, and no signal is appropriate to relieve you from your responsibility to maintain a proper lookout (Rule 5). Your boat does not qualify as "NUC" simple because you fall asleep, as that is not an "exceptional circumstance" contemplated by the rules (Rule 3 (f)).

I think what you are doing is absolutely fine, so long as you don't fall asleep, and pay attention to the surrounding boat traffic, which is always important to do, as your previous experience demonstrated. Snoozing onboard should be reserved for a safe spot while at anchor.

I agree 100%. At the very least, you need to be keeping watch at all times, and be able to give a danger signal with your horn or whistle when needed.

 

[LazyCruiser]

Re: Drifting: Doing it the Right Way

Well. I guess that I can live w/not falling asleep

Thanks very kindly for the good points that you all brought up. MAybe I can train my dog to be my lookout!

To me, just idle drifitng on the W I D E O P E N lake champlain is the coolest thing about boating. Music, eats and comfort,,,,just floating the day awayyyyyy.

thanks everyone

 

[Ned L]

Re: Drifting: Doing it the Right Way

Pez Vela said it. - Also keep in mind that Lake Champlain may seem like wide open space with no large boats to worry about, there is commercial traffic that can not make quick changes in direction & speed. There are a good number of tugs & barges that need a mile or so to stop. If you are just drifting, you could still find yourself in a "crossing situation" with a tug and tow where the tugboat is obligated to hold course & speed & you are obligated to move out of his way (even though you are just drifting).

 

[Subliminal]

Re: Drifting: Doing it the Right Way

I'll probably get some flack for this, but when I'm drifting or out swimming or whatever, I always put up my orange waterski flag. Sure, I might not be water skiing, but at least it lets people know to be careful around us.

 

[sasto]

Re: Drifting: Doing it the Right Way

I'll probably get some flack for this, but when I'm drifting or out swimming or whatever, I always put up my orange waterski flag. Sure, I might not be water skiing, but at least it lets people know to be careful around us.

good idea.....I would think a diver down flag would help also....especially when swimming.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Drifting: Doing it the Right Way

as someone said, even with the correct signals, too many boaters won't know what it means. Remember the "Drive Defensively" campaign for cars many years ago? That's how you have to operate a boat.

So use your judgment, about how much attention you pay in wide-open spaces. I don;t know about your boat, but maybe a drift sock might keep you from wandering too far, but still give you that drifting feeling.

 

[smclear]

Re: Drifting: Doing it the Right Way

The day signal for "Not under command" is two black balls, one over the other. BUT, that is essentially the same as signaling for help, not that anyone would know what they meant anyway?

Red over red, the captain is dead!

The condition described is not a "vessel not under command".

Basically, if you are not anchored, you are underway, and therefore there are no signals to display. A vessel "not under command" is a vessel with some sort of mechanical malfunction that renders the helm inoperable. It has nothing to do with whether there is someone 'manning' the helm or not.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Drifting: Doing it the Right Way

The condition described is not a "vessel not under command".

Basically, if you are not anchored, you are underway, and therefore there are no signals to display. A vessel "not under command" is a vessel with some sort of mechanical malfunction that renders the helm inoperable. It has nothing to do with whether there is someone 'manning' the helm or not.

*sigh* The OP asked what the "Not under command" signal was, so I posted it.

As for a vessel not being under command, a vessel not under command is any vessel that is unable to maneuver out of the way of another vessel through some exceptional circumstance. Sooo, technically, if she's asleep and doesn't have a lookout posted and not at anchor, she would be "Not under command". It probably also constitutes grossly negligent operation, but that's beside the point.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Drifting: Doing it the Right Way

maybe a drift sock might keep you from wandering too far, but still give you that drifting feeling.

That's exactly what I was thinking.

I know Lake Champlain is probably too deep to anchor where you like to drift(by a few hundred feet), so a drift sock will be the best compromise.

A 5 gallon bucket or two will do the same thing on 30' of line, as an expensive drift sock from a marine store.

BTW, I almost went to SUNY Plattsburgh, very nice boating up there

 

[Dick Sorensen]

Re: Drifting: Doing it the Right Way

I think everyone is over-reacting to 'drifting.' No where does it state a minimum speed a vessel must be making....we've all been in situations where it was dead slow/drift....your making some 'speed over ground.' Lean back and enjoy your time spend on the water and stop worrying!

 

[Chris-R]

Re: Drifting: Doing it the Right Way

I too like to drift in wide open water but I always have one eye open. Many years ago, I saw a big 48 foot sailboat slam into a small 24 foot power boat that was just sitting in the water doing nothing while a couple of guys had their fishing poles over the side. The sailboat was clearly the "give way" vessel but it still smashed into the little power boat that was not under power.

 

[LazyCruiser]

Re: Drifting: Doing it the Right Way

I do admit that sleeping could be construed as negligent and I'm good with that I've found this year that I had even more to learn than I had suspected there would be. So if I can minimize my mistakes all the better.

Maybe I will just mount a flashing amber light up high and fly a balloon trailing yellow CAUTION tape

thanks all