Why anyone would do this is beyond me. Look closely, there’s a sailboat sailing across the bow of an underway US Navy ship.
This particular ship, while not an aircraft carrier, carries six Harrier Jets, dozens of helicopters, LCU’s (landing craft), a LCAC (landing craft air cushion) plus a full marine city below decks, complete with tanks, armored carriers and everything necessary to set up a Marine base. It’s a big ship and not easily maneuverable or stoppable for that matter.
This was during a US Navy Family Cruise, just before the ship left for an extended deployment overseas, in this case to the Middle East. We happened to be visiting on the bridge because our son was the Officer of the Deck, which means he’s in charge of the ship while the Captain and XO are not on the bridge.
He tried contacting the sailboat multiple times via VHF and loud hailer. No answer, no answer, no answer. Eventually he had to make the decision to alter course to avoid any possible conflict with the sailboat, which caused a flurry of calls from the Captain – WHY is the ship altering course?
So why didn’t the sailboat answer the VHF calls from the ship? Because it was a singlehander and he was sitting on the bow pulpit as his sailboat crossed way too close in front of the ship. No one aboard the warship was amused and the situation could have been disastrous. The ship could not have stopped to avoid the sailboat so altered course instead.
Why? What purpose did this serve? The action was illegal: he was closer than the required 100 yards away from the ship. It was foolhardy and stupid. Do everyone a favor and stay away from US Navy ships and other military craft.
Personally, I will never understand why anyone would want to risk their lives and create an incident like this. Poor seamanship, definitely. Poor judgement, definitely. NOT amused. 🙁
Sailor must have thought he was “Capt. Ron”.
Just plain stupidity and unfortunately gives sailors and cruisers a bad name. 🙁
This is true. And he would have sued had there been a collision.
I’m surprised they didn’t identify the sailboat and issue a citation. Should have
I don’t know if there was any additional action taken, we were just privileged to be aboard for a Family Cruise before the ship left for a 7 month deployment in the Middle East. As a cruising sailor, I was appalled at this guy’s idiocy.
If the ship were outside the 3 mile limit there wasn’t much that the OOD could do except change course. Of course it is embarrassing to be lumped with idiots like that one. When was this picture taken?
Not to mention that the ship is moving ALOT faster than it looks.
Michael Chaplin DC, this would have been taken before my son left on his last deployment, maybe 2010? I came across the photo the other day while reorganizing my photos & it still makes me mad, especially when I remember how hard the Navy guys tried to establish communications without success.
Not enough information here. Was it in the channel or on the open ocean? If the former, then rule 9 applies and the sailboat was 1000% in the wrong and the co could have called the coastguard and the sailor probably would have been cited. If on the high seas, the sailboat had the right of way.
I’ve seen both of these situations many times here in San Diego.
Once we had a powerboat cut across the channel with no one at the wheel. The owner had set the autopilot and gone below to make drinks. CO called the CG and they fined him. Smh
The ship left the dock at the San Diego Naval Station, headed out under the Coronado bridge, took the families for an hour cruise and then headed back. We had turned and were headed back, just outside Point Loma when the incident occurred. I don’t know exactly where we were on the chart. As a cruising sailor I was appalled at the idiocy involved. No wonder ship captains hold us in so little regard. Before AIS, we were lucky to get a ship to respond to us on the VHF – actually we’re still lucky, but at least we have more info. 🙁
Sailing San Diego Bay is where I learned Rule 9 & the Rule of Gross Tonnage, it happens all the time in the bay and shipping channels. Sailors mistakenly think they have rights, & are always underestimating how fast the ships are moving!
If your son can drive a ship in San Diego Bay he is good to go!!! GO NAVY!!!
Ignorance, arrogance, idiocy… Take your pick, could be any or all of the above. I share your frustration, though. Even if the sailboat was technically “right” (and there’s not enough info for me to be sure) he or she was definitely exercising poor judgement.
Another possiblity is a disdain for all things military … and yes, those types exist within the sailing, cruising and liveaboard community (perhaps even at a percentage than the general public).
Rich — possibly, we’ve all met cruisers as you describe. But still, this is inexcusable – he was risking lives, primarily his own. Maybe he was an ex-OOD & knew how fast the ship was moving and how fast his boat was sailing and calculated the odds, but still….