I need a tow

[Admiral8Q]

I was just wondering if there is a way to radio for a tug if you run out of gas. I was trying to get to Brisbane but ran dry about 100 miles from port

[razark]

Originally Posted by Admiral8Q

I was just wondering if there is a way to radio for a tug if you run out of gas. I was trying to get to Brisbane but ran dry about 100 miles from port

Nope.

There's instructions somewhere around here. You basically save your game, edit it to move your boat, and then load the save. I've never used it, though.

[Admiral8Q]

Strange that they didn't include that in the game. I figured that if it was there it would cost you some renown. Oh well, I loaded and went to Freemantle instead.

[Dread Knot]

Originally Posted by Admiral8Q

Strange that they didn't include that in the game. I figured that if it was there it would cost you some renown. Oh well, I loaded and went to Freemantle instead.

It wasn't included in the game because it never happened in the actual war. Both the skipper and the XO kept a sharp eye on the fuel gauge. Frankly, being skipper of a man of war endangered by being towed ignominiously into port out of gas, would likely land you in front of a Board of Inquiry, if not outright sacked.

[Freebird]

I had fun a couple times trying to get a boat home with low fuel.

The worst part is when you sustain hull damage and your range diminishes slightly. When it happened, I beelined it for port or closest fuel and spent as much time as possible submerged on batteries. Took 3 tries on one patrol to get home that way. Pretty irritating to run out when trying to get home.

Of course, fuel leaking out is the worst scenario but, watch out when you have hull damage as it will either create more drag or diminish engine performance.

I monitor fuel levels and hull damage very closely, now.

It WILL take more to get home almost invariably.

When I restart the war, I'll be running TMO and look forward to the fuel/range gauge included.

Gary

[Frenssen's Farts]

To a point it makes sense. If sub ever did run out of fuel the captain would not be the captain on the next patrol that's for sure. So in real life it is game over as well.

I'm not up on my sub history but were no subs ever stranded during the war? Either due to damage, punctured fuel tanks, engine problems etc? Are there not any cases of a rescue sub being sent to help repair and get a stranded crew back?

[Dread Knot]

Originally Posted by Frenssen's Farts

I'm not up on my sub history but were no subs ever stranded during the war? Either due to damage, punctured fuel tanks, engine problems etc? Are there not any cases of a rescue sub being sent to help repair and get a stranded crew back?

The closest case I can think of in the Pacific War would be the USS Darter and Dace. The Darter ran aground chasing Kurita's surface force prior to the Leyte Gulf battle, and Dace took off the crew and shelled the wreck. Nautilus came along later and shelled it some more.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Darter_(SS-227)

The rusting wreck of the pressure hull is still there to this day on the Bombay Reef.

[Platapus]

I had one mission where I has to go the last bit submerged because I ran out of gas. I just needed to get to that magic 25nm point where I could dock.

Perhaps that 25nm is simulating a tow if I need one?

Any damage to your fuel tank makes the "estimate range at current speed" very inaccurate. Abort and get thee to a friendly port soonest!

Gatos do not come equipped with oars, I found out.

[Avionic]

Originally Posted by Freebird

...
The worst part is when you sustain hull damage and your range diminishes slightly. When it happened, I beelined it for port or closest fuel and spent as much time as possible submerged on batteries. Took 3 tries on one patrol to get home that way. Pretty irritating to run out when trying to get home.
...
Gary

Maybe I misunderstood what you wrote, but submerging is not good for your fuel economy.
The batteries will be charged again with your fuel, and that will use more energy. It is more efficient to just run on the surface at 10 kts and enjoy the wiev.

[razark]

Originally Posted by Avionic

Maybe I misunderstood what you wrote, but submerging is not good for your fuel economy.
The batteries will be charged again with your fuel, and that will use more energy. It is more efficient to just run on the surface at 10 kts and enjoy the wiev.

I read that as he would have run out of gas close to port, but not quite close enough. He dove to get the last little bit to base on batteries. No need to recharge the batteries that way.

[Political Feud]

If you run out of gas close to base you can always crawl your way in:

http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/t...067#2171059067

[Freebird]

Originally Posted by Avionic

Maybe I misunderstood what you wrote, but submerging is not good for your fuel economy.
The batteries will be charged again with your fuel, and that will use more energy. It is more efficient to just run on the surface at 10 kts and enjoy the wiev.

Let me know how that works for you.

I've had to limp home a couple times and the batts WILL extend your range, thanks. Any time you are running on batt power, the diesel isn't burning.

Gary

[razark]

Originally Posted by Freebird

Let me know how that works for you.

I've had to limp home a couple times and the batts WILL extend your range, thanks. Any time you are running on batt power, the diesel isn't burning.

Gary

The point was that once the batteries are empty, you need to recharge them. Running the battery charge uses more fuel than just using the engines for propulsion.

Using the batteries to give you a little extra range can be done if you simply don't charge them once they are empty.

[Freebird]

OK, at least twice, after sustaining hull damage I set course for home and didn't make it on the surface. Range had decreased due to damage.

Used my mulligan and went back to a save point.

I then tried running submerged on batt power until about 11-12% charge(lower than that is a diminishing return) then surface, recharge and submerge again.

I got the boat home. This has worked for me more than once.

Thanks,
Gary

[Admiral8Q]

Originally Posted by Freebird

I then tried running submerged on batt power until about 11-12% charge(lower than that is a diminishing return) then surface, recharge and submerge again.

Interesting
I would guess that you sat at all stop while the batteries recharged. I'll have to try this some time.

BTW, is there a chart somewhere that gives effective range at different speeds on the surface and submerged? Of course weather plays a big role on the surface, but submerged should be a constant.