Collision Avoidance?

Didd · 04-06-10, 12:57 AM

Here's what happened...

I have just made the step up to no map contacts and was heading out of Wilhelmshaven on my first patrol since this change, my little guide vessel turns to go home and I'm on my own - almost. In the distance I can see a row of three friendly merchants. That's fine I'll go below, plot my course and off we go. This duly completed I upped the TC to 128 and relax listening to Jimbuna's excellent collection of atmospheric records, when I think hang on....that sounds like a very loud engine, what's going on? Best go up topside and see. I was more than a little surprised to see one of the three merchants rafted up next me as we're headed on our merry way! Needless to say I was now on his course and not vice-versa. There was no scraping or grinding until I tried to turn away, so put the brakes on instead then turned across astern to return to course. Phew! That was close. That would've been a stupid way to end a promising career. Still I suppose that's what you get for leaving Bernard on watch!

I guess I must have caught it a glancing blow and it scooped me up. My question is this. With map updates on I noticed that other shipping got out of way although sometimes at the last minute. So is there a difference with the collision avoidance with own sub with map updates on/off? Do I now have to take more care now when a neutral or friendly is gesichted and check it's not on a constant bearing?

Didd

04-06-10, 12:57 AM	#1
Didd Seaman Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Orkney Posts: 33 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	Collision Avoidance? Here's what happened... I have just made the step up to no map contacts and was heading out of Wilhelmshaven on my first patrol since this change, my little guide vessel turns to go home and I'm on my own - almost. In the distance I can see a row of three friendly merchants. That's fine I'll go below, plot my course and off we go. This duly completed I upped the TC to 128 and relax listening to Jimbuna's excellent collection of atmospheric records, when I think hang on....that sounds like a very loud engine, what's going on? Best go up topside and see. I was more than a little surprised to see one of the three merchants rafted up next me as we're headed on our merry way! Needless to say I was now on his course and not vice-versa. There was no scraping or grinding until I tried to turn away, so put the brakes on instead then turned across astern to return to course. Phew! That was close. That would've been a stupid way to end a promising career. Still I suppose that's what you get for leaving Bernard on watch! I guess I must have caught it a glancing blow and it scooped me up. My question is this. With map updates on I noticed that other shipping got out of way although sometimes at the last minute. So is there a difference with the collision avoidance with own sub with map updates on/off? Do I now have to take more care now when a neutral or friendly is gesichted and check it's not on a constant bearing? Didd