I have run out of fingers and toes counting the number of times I have seen this sight where when coming down the Broadwater from Canipa and heading to Southport they get confused at this cardinal mark where one turns left toward the Goldie and decide that the Green Markers change from being on port to starboard . This was today at low tide with 15-20 Knts true.
Select to expand quoteBananabender said..
I have run out of fingers and toes counting the number of times I have seen this sight where when coming down the Broadwater from Canipa and heading to Southport they get confused at this cardinal mark where one turns left toward the Goldie and decide that the Green Markers change from being on port to starboard . This was today at low tide with 15-20 Knts true.
Yes it gets confusing as hell at times especially where a channel does a severe dog leg and there might be another channel off to the left or right.
I'm not sure exactly where you mean but it certainly pays to keep an eye on the Navionics arrows with the circles either side (of the type depicted in the first picture below).
Then of course when coming to an intersection or perhaps sometimes not even an intersection when one is on the inland side of an island these arrows may change direction as can be seen in the second picture assuming you are proceeding to turn left when entering from the channel on the right.
I noticed when doing the Bay to Bay for example that there is no change of sides for the channel markers in the Sandy Straights so when for example when coming in from sea at Wide Bay bar and proceeding North all the channel markers are reversed on the assumption that you have entered the straights from the Northern point of the Island 80 miles or so North despite the fact that presumably the tide changes halfway up the island and you are entering from sea. I guess they figure that is easier than picking a magic point halfway up the island where everything reverses even if that is a point when the tidal current changes direction. The latter of course can't be seen and nor can it be detected near slack or high tide.
Agreed that if you aren't familiar with the area and don't have a chart you are screwed and even with these aids it is very difficult at times.
It's been a while but I thought that ALL the markers were installed as heading to Brisbane unless you were going the 2 miles from the bar to Southport.
Select to expand quoteKankama said..
It's been a while but I thought that ALL the markers were installed as heading to Brisbane unless you were going the 2 miles from the bar to Southport.
Aside from into rivers , Calypso Bay etc. correct
I was in VMR Jacobs Well for a few years (which is just around the corner from that location), one of the requirements to become a skipper was to know by memory all the channel marks between Eric Early light at the north end of Russell Isl to the Southern arm of the Coomera river and be able to navigate using them at night with no charts, which I could do.... back then.
Idea being that skippers new the area of operations by memory. I thought it was a bit ridiculous as navigation marks are designed to be used in conjunction with a chart. I think it would be safer to use a chart than just rely on memory over such a large area with so many channels and hazards, anyway my argument didn't fly. That was the requirement then, probably still is.
When I first moved up here from Melb. 20 years ago I found all the channels a bit overwhelming but by studying the relevant charts before embarking on a trip I managed to keep out of serious trouble. Jules mentions an important point above regarding following the arrow. With all the technology available simple things like reading a chart or even street directory are not so simple for those who didn't grow up with it so perhaps if there is not an arrow to see where you are on the screen or the screen can't be read in the sunlight confusion reigns . Now if someone could come up with a navigation siri . You know "In 100 metres past the third green channel marker on your left turn right"
The Jacobs Well boys (and girls) are kept pretty busy these days yet very little communication over the radio. All by phone I suppose.
My first boat was a 26ft yacht with a centreboard that would swing out of the keel ( no centreboard case in the saloon) I bought it from a broker in Hope Harbour. On the way back to Horizon Shores where I had rented a berth I ran aground on that very corner. I just lifted the centreboard and went on my way but it is a trap, pulled more than one boat off it while I was at VMR
Regardless of what colour the lateral mark, I'd say you're generally ill-advised to travel south of a North cardinal mark
If I am doing complex road navigation with the help of my phone - as a passenger - it's almost inevitable that I'll make a mistake if I'm doing it live. If I study the route first and look for landmarks it's easy.
Presently figuring out charting options for my boat and I'm reading cammd's point about memorising marks and thinking it would actually be a good idea to sit over my coffee table one night with the chart and a pencil and memorise all the various marks and points of interest in order to start spotting them while I'm out.
Jon, That's called a passage plan and is part of the amsa practical assessment for coxswain and masters certificates, you could also take tides and weather into account
