Got any petrol?

[Freiwillige]

More than once I have been out on patrol and had the Japs seize my home base only to have my new base moved beyond my reach even at the most modest fuel consumption needs.

Case in point my current situation. Im sent to patrol near North east of singapore.
With a half load of fuel im told that I must now port in Freemantle Austrailia.

So I milk the old girl at ahead 1/3 only to fall short by 123 miles! No fuel and no battery left. So what are my options? Anybody know how to add fuel?
Or am I just a floating drift wood destined to live on my over inhabited metal island where canibalism is only weeks away! The chef is already eyeing me funny.

[Torplexed]

Yeah....when you're based with the Asiatic Fleet you really gotta keep on eye on where your next home port is gonna fall back to and whether you have the fuel radius to get there. By early January 1942 it's going be Surabaya and by late February or early March it's going to be Fremantle. The game does give you a few cues as to what is transpiring on land, but probably not enough.

In reality there were a myriad of small ports in the Netherlands East Indies you could have scrounged fuel from, or an Navy oiler or fellow submarine would have met you for re-fueling. In the game you just sit when you run dry. I don't think you even drift as tides and currents aren't simulated either.

[Elder-Pirate]

@Freiwillige
Skipper you are shark bait.

If there are a few fueling ports between your home base and your assigned task, you may be able to run at "Ahead Flank" between fueling ports, but at the last fuel port to your assignment area I would run at "Ahead 1/3" and fast time it. By doing this you will have fuel enough to reach your nearest fueling port ( after the battle ) then the home base they changed on you. Remember though stay under during the day ( running at 1 knot to save the batteries ) and on surface at night. Gotta keep an eye on those port changes.

[Fincuan]

Originally Posted by Elder-Pirate

I would run at "Ahead 1/3" and fast time it. By doing this you will have fuel enough to reach your nearest fueling port ( after the battle ) then the home base they changed on you. Remember though stay under during the day

I wouldn't, that's a good way to waste extra fuel onboard. In fleet boats ~9.5 knots speed and submerging only when it's absolutely necessary gives you the best mileage. In the pig boat the best speed is around 6 knots iirc.

[Freiwillige]

Well the good news is that im only 10 miles or so off the coast of austrialia. Maybe I could make a raft?

[Red Lord of Chaos]

Was Surubaya completely out of commission or was there a black anchor icon?

[Rockin Robbins]

At ahead 1/3 you are not getting the best mileage, which is considerably better at ahead standard. You had plenty of fuel to reach your destination. Wait until you are stationed in Pearl. THEN you learn the fuel game! You have it easy now in the Asiatic fleet.

[banjo]

I have seen these kind of posts before and don't get it. Even based out of Pearl and Midway I have never had to sweat fuel. Out of Pearl I top off coming or going at Midway, based out Australia I have always had plenty. I cruise at Standard, use Full and Flank judiciously but as needed. I think folks aren't paying attention. The point is, the fuel available is sufficient if you do it right.

[groomsie]

Well, as the bases move away from you fuel can be an issue, certainly you need to watch it and monitor the range to base if you are Asiatic fleet before mid-1942 (when the situation stabilizes and then gradually improves). I've stopped into port just to top off fuel in those periods because the base shift can occur without a lot of warning, and it is easy to get caught up in something else and miss the shift.

You may even need to respectfully blow off a set of orders, if you are sent to the home islands to patrol and you know the base shift may be coming and realize you can't expect to run 1000 nm north and then have to add that to your trip to Surabaya or Freemantle...

Use the "range at current speed" function to determine most fuel efficient speed for your boat--I am almost certain you used more than you had to at ahead 1/3.

Historically you would have had fuel from somewhere (minor port, at-sea rendevouz, something) in all probability, but since you are aware of how early 1942 will unfold (unlike RL skippers) and can thus watch the situation on range/fuel, it probably balances out.

Tough luck sailor!

[SteamWake]

9.5 knots best speed/distance for most boats.