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I wasn't there but I bet he was just blowing the horn to get everyones attn. and alert the boaters that he is coming thru and to make way, not to signal which side he intends to pass. The sad fact is most boaters (probably 95%) don't know that one short blast means pass on port.
No matter, in that channel, it was probably not an issue anyway as it was clear where he was going...right down the middle..its not that wide.
I really don't argue that fact about blasting the horn. I was on one trip when they slowed down to about 15-18knots to pass thru WH then sped up upon entering BB. That flet quite safe. The other times we went thru full bore 30-32. This boat is very agile and can dart around most fools out there. Maneuvers like an outboard. I have to agree with you somewhat that I thought 32knts was on the high side the first time we blasted thru there. Personally....If it was my boat...I would slow WAY down and chug thru...but its not my boat and I am not on a schedule.
I have spoken to a few of the ferry boat capt's (not of the FF but others) and they all fume when you bring up rec and sail boats in the channel...they hate them. They (recs) seem to think that these boats can stop or turn on a dime. I see guys fishing in front of the steamship auth in OB and the capt is BLOWING a major horn and they will not budge. He starts moving and nearly clips a 16' boat with a moron aboard. If he hits them...is it the ferryboats fault? The law will be in favor of the lic capt and the larger vessel.
Yes someone will get hit or killed I agree with you, and it will be THEIR OWN fault...not the ferryboat's fault, high speed or otherwise.(it will prob be in the fog)
I think WH is the disired route for them (more direct), they have every right to use it. Quicks is wider but I don't think they don't *have* to use that. (again...if it were my boat...I would go quicks and slow down but I don't think that have to)
As an engineer we always look at limits...One fair question is "what is the limit?", if they make a 200mph ferry would it be safe to travel thu WH at that speed? Probably not because most boats could not react in time to avoid the vessel at that speed. they probably need to establish some regulations on speed thru restricted channels for saftey IMO. In the past it has not been an issue...nowadays it clearly is. I would guess that a limit of 20-30knots or so is probabaly reasonable. ( I don't think the FF can do much over 35 or so anyway)
Also these fisherman don't have the right to clog up a channel...if they do they should expect to come close to ships on the move.
Not trying to start a war but I those ferry boat have seen a lot of jerks day in and day out, out there and have gone WAY out of thier way to avoid making them prop food.
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