Some really good points made above. I resonate with some of Boasun's comments. When we made the approach to Hilo (referenced at the top of the thread), we laid out an "approach plan". We took notes of what we would see visually and on
radar at each of the pre-planned waypoints. Obviously, the waypoints loaded in the
GPS and the approach template was sync'ed to the waypoints. For each turn point we developed a projection of what the visual signals (lights primarily) should be, and how the
radar should look before and after the turn. We wrote them down in the sequence they should appear. The helmsman had the courses, distances and ETA's to waypoints on a scrap of paper at the helm. We also had an 'abort plan' -- a preplanned route out if the visual /
radar picture we expected did not develop. Another thing we did was put the youngest guy with the best eyeballs on the bow, the oldest salt on the helm and the best
radar guy below looking at the green screen.
Happily, it all worked as planned. We made each of the waypoints on time, with all visual references appearing as projected in the approach plan. We arrived in
Radio Bay without a hitch at about 0130. The worst part of the night was trying to med moor to the seawall between two other boats. We had to set the
anchor twice. The best part of the night was the bottle of scotch that was consummed between 0230 and 0430. Worst part of the next morning was customs inspector showing up at 0730 to clear us in.
And, if you'll indulge me with just a bit more of the sea story.....around noon the of day we arrived, as we were recovering from our hangovers and feeling pretty full of ourselves for having completed such a long passage -- 3 guys with 80 or more years experience between them in a 47 ft boat, 31 days out of Gulfito, CR, 4800 nm, etc. etc,........when another boat pulls into the basin at
Radio Bay. It's a 31-32 ft sloop. The skipper, obviously single-handing, comes in, drops first the main, then the
anchor, backs smartly to the seawall, climbs ahore, ties up and then asks us where to find the customs officer. Turns out this singlehanded skipper was a handicapped woman, 26-28 years of age, who arrived off Hilo in the wee hours of the morning having left Puntarenas, CR some 51 days before. She had hove-to for the night.
