Open Note to Another Captain

[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. If you ain't operating in total defensive mode, then you have a death wish!

[garysanfran]

Using binoculars from a distance monitoring the rafters near Stonedam. They then went in among them and I lost sight of what they did for the approx. 10 minutes they were there. This was around the time of "dry water", DWI enforcement! So, you may not see them, but they may be watching you!

[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.

[Descant]

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. If you ain't operating in total defensive mode, then you have a death wish!

With this coincidence, Is it possible there's a make/model where the nav lights switch also turn on the docking lights? Like the old two position switches that you pulled out half way for anchor and all the way for all nav lights?

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Descant

With this coincidence, Is it possible there's a make/model where the nav lights switch also turn on the docking lights? Like the old two position switches that you pulled out half way for anchor and all the way for all nav lights?

That’s actually a great question! This happened to me when I first got my Bennington pontoon...Going into Glendale from Welch at night. Turn my nav lights on at Welch and do a light check and all is good. On the way in I noticed there was an interior light on on the side of the helm. Not being totally familiar with the switches I start turning rocker switches on and off until the interior light shuts. Yup, you guessed it, interior light is on same switch as nav lights! The helm light is a touch light and your supposed to push it to shut it off but the Nav rocker switch also shuts it. Pretty ridiculous to have it wired this way! Yes, I was pulled over and rightfully ticketed by Marine Patrol. Talk about feeling stupid but it happens to the best of us!

There are those that have and those that will!

Dan

[Descant]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

That’s actually a great question! This happened to me when I first got my Bennington pontoon...Going into Glendale from Welch at night. Turn my nav lights on at Welch and do a light check and all is good. On the way in I noticed there was an interior light on on the side of the helm. Not being totally familiar with the switches I start turning rocker switches on and off until the interior light shuts. Yup, you guessed it, interior light is on same switch as nav lights! The helm light is a touch light and your supposed to push it to shut it off but the Nav rocker switch also shuts it. Pretty ridiculous to have it wired this way! Yes, I was pulled over and rightfully ticketed by Marine Patrol. Talk about feeling stupid but it happens to the best of us!

There are those that have and those that will!

Dan

Interesting. I thought I was shooting in the dark, if not very dim light. I trust you sent the info to the Mfg and they reimbursed the ticket (LOL). At the very least, the dealer should have fixed it and sent info to mfg to issue a TSB to all dealers and owners, same as with automobile recalls. I understand a dealer cannot launch a boat that has improper head/holding tanks. Maybe they need to check lights too? I don't think inspections like we do with cars is practical, but it does appear there are some issues that should be resolved one way or another. I'd rather do somethging voluntary than law.

Do we have any Power Squadron or USCG Auxiliary inspectors out there? Do you check such things?

[Little Bear]

Originally Posted by Descant

With this coincidence, Is it possible there's a make/model where the nav lights switch also turn on the docking lights? Like the old two position switches that you pulled out half way for anchor and all the way for all nav lights?

Of course anything is possible, but I suspect that the use of these docking lights as headlights is intentional.

[ursa minor]

Originally Posted by Little Bear

Of course anything is possible, but I suspect that the use of these docking lights as headlights is intentional.

I'm going to agree with Little Bear. I've seen one pontoon in particular making the run up the Six Pack and heading in the direction of Harilla Landing (and then coming back) many times. They're using them like headlights.

I commend the OP for handling such a stressful situation so professionally, not sure I would have been able to and very glad I was not in that situation with a boat full of passengers. If I have one issue with the 150 foot rule it's that in slowing to headway speed we're assuming that the other operators have seen and understood the situation. If they haven't, we've lost the maneuverability edge that speed can provide.

[Descant]

Originally Posted by ursa minor

I'm going to agree with Little Bear. I've seen one pontoon in particular making the run up the Six Pack and heading in the direction of Harilla Landing (and then coming back) many times. They're using them like headlights.

I commend the OP for handling such a stressful situation so professionally, not sure I would have been able to and very glad I was not in that situation with a boat full of passengers. If I have one issue with the 150 foot rule it's that in slowing to headway speed we're assuming that the other operators have seen and understood the situation. If they haven't, we've lost the maneuverability edge that speed can provide.

Perhaps that is why no other jurisdiction has adopted such a rule? Certainly "good" laws get copied often. Not to open old wounds, but experience has shown that our speed limit has not changed safety statistics. It has reduced noise, which may have been the real agenda. I think our safety statistics are comparable to all other jurisdictions which do not have the 150 ft rule, boat to boat..

I was always taught to look behind me to see what size my wake was and what impact it had on smaller boats. I applaud the OP for watching his "six" and paying attention 360 degrees. Too many watch only, or focus on, the starboard forward quadrant.