Lights out?

[GWC...]

Guess Rattlesnake Island could use a few more lights (http://www.citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050703/CITIZEN0107/107030064/-1/CITIZEN). :rolleye2:

WMUR's report (http://www.thewmurchannel.com/news/4678677/detail.html)...

[gtxrider]

Perhaps Island Girl and Rattlesnake Gal should stand at opposite ends of the Island with lanterns?

I guess the island is too small.

At least no one was to badly injured .

The rest of you have a safe and happy Fourth of July!!!! :patriot:

[Island Girl]

It appears that Island Girl has no sense of direction.... maybe she can hold a lantern for others!

[Acres per Second]

Running into islands at night can be a pain.

One solution (http://www.mdn.org/1995/STORIES/BOATS.HTM) (2nd paragraph from bottom) is being promoted by safety-minded citizens at this country's worst accident-rate lake, which approximates Winnipesaukee in size.

They've proposed that every dock have a blue light on it. The light is already in production, and is solar-powered.

.

[Mee-n-Mac]

Running into islands at night can be a pain.
{snip}
They've proposed that every dock have a blue light on it. The light is already in production, and is solar-powered.


I can't quite decide if I like this idea or not. Here's my thinking ... if solar powered (therefor probably LED based) I wonder if the light will be blue enough, remain bright enough, for long enough, that my cones will register them as truly blue or merely a bluish white (like my LED flashflights). If it's the latter then all we have is more competing lights to distinguish the from all-around boat lights. Even then it may still be a good idea, though in this instance it may not have helped. Best best for this type of thing (hitting fixed hazard) is a GPS.

ps - or maybe forward looking collision avoidance radar :laugh:

pps - or maybe night vision linked to a heads up display :D

[Dave R]

Best best for this type of thing (hitting fixed hazard) is a GPS.

ps - or maybe forward looking collision avoidance radar :laugh:

pps - or maybe night vision linked to a heads up display :D

Or maybe not moving when one does not know for sure where one is...

[Kamper]

Never aproach a dock faster than you can afford to hit it...

I dont think illuminating every dock on the lake will be that great an idea. All that light pollution will take away from the experience. Due to fatigue or distraction anyone can make an error in navigation. It's just as likely that a person will aproach the wrong light and not be aware of the actual hazards in their path.

A few more lighted bouys here and there may be useful but circling the lake with K-Mart beacons will make it difficult to distinguish landmarks because they will all look the same.

On a related subject... If you want to see an example of light pollution go to the south side of Governor's Island. There are 3-4 large houses off rt 11 and Summit Ave that are frequently lit up like a New Orleans whare house. All you can make out are the lights on the buildings. The shore and docks might as well be in a black hole.

There is another example of excessive light between Bear and Pine Islands. Someone had a street light mounted almost at water level. Made it very challenging to see anything at night because of the loss of night-vision. The light has been remounted on a pole this year so it isnt as bad but it's still not the advantage the owner probably thinks it is.

For those folks who feel they need a personal nav-aid then by all mean get a low intensity lamp. A few here and there aren't going to be bad but making it mandatory will only benefit the factory owner in the long run.

[Island Girl]

Or maybe not moving when one does not know for sure where one is...
Not moving is difficult on a breezy, dark,misty night. It is very easy to get disoriented out there. I lost my bearing with my GPS on and ended up across the lake... it was a bit scary. Had this not happeneded recently I would probably be thinking thes same thing, 'how could someone glet themselved get into that situation?' ... but now I have a deeper insight and even greater respect for mother nature. The most experienced and careful boaters can get into trouble.

Gook Luck, Lyle, I am thinking about you.

[Woodsy]

Sometimes, an accident is just that, an accident. There is no need to assign any blame or look for a solution. Its always easier to second guess someone when you weren't there. It happens to the best of us.


Woodsy

[Dave R]

Not moving is difficult on a breezy, dark,misty night. It is very easy to get disoriented out there. I lost my bearing with my GPS on and ended up across the lake... it was a bit scary. Had this not happeneded recently I would probably be thinking thes same thing, 'how could someone glet themselved get into that situation?' ... but now I have a deeper insight and even greater respect for mother nature. The most experienced and careful boaters can get into trouble.

Gook Luck, Lyle, I am thinking about you.



Good point. My comment was in jest. Meant to put one of these ;) on it

[Island Girl]

I am a little sensitive to my own moronic behavior recently...