The Chapman book is absolutely well worth the price. Learned a ton from it. And, the only running I do at night anymore is idling. We have a restaurant about 1/2 mile upstream from the house and we occasionally will take the boat there after dark. But running on plane after dark, too many things can happen too fast.

I wonder how fast a barge can stop. It gives me the creeps to think that they could have even been run over by the barge after the collision with the tow cable.

Michael

Every barge I've seen towed in the Ocean or in Sandy Hook harbor was towed by a line. When they get close to shore or in tight quarters they push them.

I haven't read the article but did the tug have it's pole light on? When a barge is in two there is an extra light on the pole if I remember correctly?

I prefer to not boat at night for these reasons and also submerged objects etc...

People think driving a boat is easy and requires no knowledge. I feel sorry for the loss. Mandatory training might have saved them.

Everyone should know the nav rules below >>

http://www.auxetrain.org/navhelp.html

From Cap's site.....and what I was referring too...

White over White
Short tug/tow in sight
A short tow is under 200 meters (656 feet).


White over White over White
Long tug/tow in sight

Great link cap those navrules make these things a lot easier to remember.

Education is key.
Anything else is, quite frankly, stupidity.

No one should have to die and no one deserves to die while boating. But most people don't know simple rules of navigation. Yes in day light it's no big deal we can clearly see who's coming and who's going in which direction.

But at night...... It's a whole new ball game. So many people say NO we don't need mandatory testing for a boat license. Yet I ask You this, How many people on this web site alone know the basic nav. rules and the nav lights in the link I posted above? Would it really hurt to have a 1 day class? Education of the average boater needs to be increased in order for us not to see tragic events like this 1.

every boater should read this
http://www.auxetrain.org/navhelp.html

towing a barge with cable is a regular means of towing. Inexperience was the culprit here. May they rest in peace.