Spotted at range

[Uboatman]

Patrolling in AM42, April '41. Spot single large merchant at around 16km and as I'm well in front I plot an intercept course to hit the ship at a perfect 90deg angle, figure I will be safe from being seen till the ship is at about 10km, maybe less but thought I should be careful, I should have been more careful at around 12km separation the merchant starts a zig zag, I have been seen. So how did the merchant manage it?

Conditions, unlimited visibility, wind speed 15knots, very heavy seas

U-94(VIIIC) 5km from predicted intercept point at 14kts, course 010
Large Merchant 12km from U-94, course 100, speed 6kts

I'm surprised I was spotted at that distance, should I have been?

[Piggy]

Daytime?

Heavy seas and you're going 14 knots?

If its daytime and you're breaching the waves at 14 knots then that explains why you were spotted.

Even at night you should reduce speed so as to lower your wake/spray.

[meduza]

Don't be surprised. :D What was the ship's bearing? From the data you provided, I'd say somewhere from 270 to 300, which means you turned your broadside to the ship, and you were spotted.

I've been spoted from even greater distance. That's why I hate unlimited visibility, especially when combined with calm seas.

[Uboatman]

Yeah it was just after noon, bearing was approx 280. ok, put that info in my mental notebook:up:

P.S. nailed the SOB anyway

[meduza]

P.S. nailed the SOB anyway
:up:
At the end, that's all that matters.