Open Note to Another Captain

[Phantom]

Originally Posted by Little Bear

Over the weekend, I saw at least 4 pontoon boats with their "headlights" (aka docking lights) on while underway. Just another indication of the clueless MO-RONS behind the wheel out there.

Although I do not have a pontoon boat -- I would cut the "Docking Lights" syndrome a little slack.

I can visualize (and done myself) knocked a rocker switch on the dash and didn't realize it...... it could have been my Nav's, docking lights or Bilge - all are in a prone area. Although the rockers lights up, I defy anyone to see that in the sunlight.

NOW - I do have an issue when anyone who uses Docking lights as a set of "headlights" at night ….. in that scenario, there is no excuse.

Point being -- save your MO-RONS for the deserved.

.

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by Phantom

Although I do not have a pontoon boat -- I would cut the "Docking Lights" syndrome a little slack.

I can visualize (and done myself) knocked a rocker switch on the dash and didn't realize it...... it could have been my Nav's, docking lights or Bilge - all are in a prone area. Although the rockers lights up, I defy anyone to see that in the sunlight.

NOW - I do have an issue when anyone who uses Docking lights as a set of "headlights" at night ….. in that scenario, there is no excuse.

Point being -- save your MO-RONS for the deserved.

.

I'd bet they were operating at night. I've seen that often too. Every time I have witnessed anyone running at night with docking lights on like headlights, it was a pontoon boat.

[Little Bear]

Originally Posted by Phantom

Although I do not have a pontoon boat -- I would cut the "Docking Lights" syndrome a little slack.

I can visualize (and done myself) knocked a rocker switch on the dash and didn't realize it...... it could have been my Nav's, docking lights or Bilge - all are in a prone area. Although the rockers lights up, I defy anyone to see that in the sunlight.

NOW - I do have an issue when anyone who uses Docking lights as a set of "headlights" at night ….. in that scenario, there is no excuse.

Point being -- save your MO-RONS for the deserved.

.

So how do we determine who is deserved and who isn't? It's the responsibility of the boat operator to be aware of the condition of his vessel at all times (especially at night). The events that I saw were either late dusk or at night - not during the day. So I have a hard time believing that the operator didn't see the rocker switch lit up.