Last night, about 9:30, a USCG boat went full tilt down Lake Union (normally a 7 knot max speed area) on its way to affect a rescue. The wake it left was huge, and had many boat bouncing and dancing:
- The Bayliner 3258 behind us (moored in an east/west direction) was pitching so violently that the anchor and pulpit were completely submerging, and then pitchng up so over 1/3 of the hull was out of the water. Because of the massive rolling, there is chaos in the cabin, with drawers flung open, and gear strewn about.
- A sailboat nearly ended up sideways on its float.
- Another boat pitched and rolled onto its dock power box, snapping it off at its base.
Our boat survived unscathed- we were rolling and pitching pretty violently, but no damage.
How does this relate? One of the basic lessons the Navy teaches is that there is a place for everything, and everything should be in its place. Shortly after a Navy ship (surface or sub) gets underway, its goes thru a series of maneuvers to ensure that all gear is properly stowed and secured.
We always have our boat secured- stuff is put away, secured to the deck or bulkhead, and ready for sea. Having your boat secured in such a manner at all times will keep a pot, a wine bottle, or a neat decoration from becoming a missile that can take out a window- or a crewmember.