03-28-2007
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: New Orleans, LA
Posts: 2,981
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CD
When you are underway using power and your sails are up, you are suppose to fly a cone, apex down, Not a diamond. If you are flying a diamond alone that means your tow is more than 200 meters in length, from the stern of your boat to the stern of the tow.
When the first single handers made their way around the world there wasn't that much vessel traffic. Today the waterways are crowded and I have seen to many accidents on the waters due to people not getting enough sleep.
Though I have yet to acquire my next boat, I have worked commerially out there and have put in very long hours due to the skills lacking in the mates I've had on board. But I always try to always work in a safe manner. Working in the GOM or the Bering Sea is a dangerous business. My crews have always returned home safe and with the all the body parts they started the voyage with. That is my aim.
I now teaching the 100/200 Mate/Master course for those who want to be more then a deck hand. D/h earn $95 to $150 a day. Mates about $250 a day and Masters $300 to $500 a day.
My own license is: 1600 ton Master / 2nd Mate Unlimited upon Oceans. With radar endorsements, GMDSS Radio license and a score of other cerificates and endorsements. And after have been going to sea since 1958, I just by chance have and Idea of the real world out there.
But you are a Cruising Dad and have the joy of teaching your sons learn about the Sea. Hopefully your wife is just as skilled as you are in seamanship.
I wish you always a safe and wonderful adventures out there on the waters.
I myself may end up single handing due to various reasons. I will be using every means available to maintain a constant vigil when sailing. But may just be taking college students along as crew. They want to experience traveling by sea and I will have a crew. That is one way to do it.
But back to the real world. As the seas become more crowded. The days of the single handers are slowly coming to an end.
A single black ball; At anchor
A cone, apex down: Sailing vessel under power. Even if your engine is started but not in gear, you are considered under power.
Ball, diamond, ball; A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.
A cylinder; Vessel constrained by her draft (International only)
A Diamond; Tow 200 meters or greater in length.
A square flag over a Ball; In distress. This could be a ball over a square flag also.
Three Balls; Aground. As we always say, it takes a lot of balls to run aground.
Last edited by Boasun; 03-28-2007 at 01:27 PM.
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are the probably the same 23 - 35 footers that fly around NGBay with almost the same boating knowledge as the Jet Ski's which we refer to as 'Bay Lice' 
In general they seem to travel at 1 speed - full throttle to nowhere as a basic nav hazzard then to anchor with a little 10lb danforth thrown off the bow waiting to drag into you 
