More of Tug Restless Upbound

The term: “Red Right Returning,” pertains to the Lateral System of Navigation, which establishes a format that places all red aids to navigation depicting a channel, to (starboard) on the right side of a vessel returning from the sea.

The format of the Intracoastal Waterway, (ICW) when transiting from south to north, is basically arranged so that all green aids are passed to starboard as well. One would think that such a system is rather straight forward, and as long as you know that your either in the ocean pointed towards land, or chugging up the ICW with something resembling a large: “N” in proximity to the Lubber Line, the whole thing is a “Piece of Cake,” Right? Well the entire process turns to “Fudge,” when the two merge.

If you stop to consider the number of channels and Inlets along the eastern seaboard that bisect, and even merge with the ICW, you’ll have a grasp for what I am referring. Should you be cruising along, “Fat, Dumb and Happy,” in a seemingly endless straight section of the ICW, and suddenly have the colors switch sides lacking forewarning; it can be not only confusing as hell, but extremely embarrassing as a result of what is about to follow. Many a moment can be spent standing on your head with a chart beneath you, as you attempt to trace the origin of this reversal.

A perfect example of this, is the C&D Canal connecting Chesapeake, and Delaware Bay’s. The C&D Canal’s buoy system is based upon the perspective of vessels entering from seaward into Delaware Bay. (even numbered red to starboard – north side of channel) However at Chesapeake City MD (a little past mid point of the canal) the buoy system reverses with odd numbered green to starboard – north side of channel. So much for the vis-à-vis: “Red Right Returning,” within a mere 12 miles of canal.

Prior to retirement, I spent 29 years as a pilot with a major airline. During that time, the manufacture and design of airliners went through a change that was in many ways as significant as that from Propeller to Jet. Cockpit instrumentation changed from gauges to Cathode Ray Tubes. Bell cranks and cables which moved control surfaces, were replaced with Electro-Hydraulic Servos. Computers were connected to autopilots, which changed “Aviators into Programmers.”

The change for many was a difficult transition. It required the pilot to develop a new “Mind Set,” and freely accept tasks that a computer could do not only better, but faster and more economical. In short; it required a blind acceptance akin to; “Just Drinking the Cool-Aid.” You either did not need to know the how’s and why’s or failed to have the intelligence to understand it anyway. The old system would come to be known as: “Flying with Steam Gages.”

The new: being referred to as “Fly by Wire” or a “Glass Cockpit,” and when everything works correctly; such aircraft are a dream to fly. However, when the computer swallows a stray electron, it becomes an event similar to, “Reinventing the Wheel.”

Pilots, who are new to the system, are recognized from those who are veterans, by two common phrases that are commonly spoken in a cockpit when a flight computer performs an apparent “Meltdown.” The former asking, “What’s it doing Now?” and the latter confirming,” See, there it goes Again!”

Autopilots and navigational aids aboard ships have gone thru a similar transition, in the ways that they too are controlled and operated. Many possessing the tendencies and idiosyncrasies like that of an aircraft. Our dependence on such state of the art systems, and their usage, creates a complacency which evolves into a script like that of the movie, “Jaws;” where just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water: “It Will Bite You in the Ass!”

Being alone on this cruise, I get spread rather thin at times. In addition to being Master, Chief Engineer, Bosun and Cook, I also double as number one, “Bilge Coolie.” Having an autopilot aboard Restless, in many ways is like having an additional crew member. It must…. as I occasionally find myself yelling and screaming at someone other than myself.

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