Probably one of the major topics of 2007  was the loss of the yacht OUZO and its three crew.

 

A number of lessons for the boat owner are highlighted by the MCGA investigation.

 

• The legal obligation to have a permanently fixed radar reflector having the best radar reflective area possible for the size of the boat.  A study commissioned by the MCGA found that the some of the reflectors on sale are pretty useless.
• Navigation lights of a small craft will be visible to a large ship at only two miles or even less.  At 24 knots the ship will have four minutes or less to spot you, decide what to do and take avoiding action.
• The ship’s radar may not pick up your echo until 2 miles, so again there’s very little time available to avoid you.
• Assume that a large ship has not seen you, don’t get into a close quarters situation and take any avoiding action early.
• Keep a good lookout.

 

 

Give us a call if you would like some advice.