Was taking a OSV (180' supply vessel) toward the panama canal and there between Cuba and Yucatan we passed a sail boat of about 40 or so feet in length. Never did see him on
radar. I spoke to him on the
VHF and found that he had one of those metal
radar reflectors flying from his mast. He was upset that I couldn't see him on
radar. After all that what the
radar reflectors were sold for and assured that you would be seen.
I suspect that the sea conditions had part of it. White caps on seas of about 8~10 feet and he appeared to have a reef or two in his mains'l. But even with raising the gain and reducing the sea clutter I still couldn't find him on my
radar. He was a tad upset that he wasn't showing at all on the
radar and I really don't blame him.
Moral of this truth: You can not depend on the other guy's
radar picking you up at all when the seas are running a little bit. And if that watch officer is getting a cup of coffee or plotting his position, he may not see you at all.
