Navigating IFT

Departing Georgetown, SC in the rain and darkness Deana and I with a spotlight in hand navigate across Winyah Bay to the ICW entrance at mile marker 410. The next ten miles we will follow a narrow and shallow waterway to the South Santee River (mile marker 420) where we plan to set our anchor for the evening. Shortly after we entered the ICW channel we noticed a pair of powerful searchlights aft of our sailboat but approaching us quickly. I recognized the vessel by its unique light pattern as a tugboat pushing a barge. Contacting the tug captain on VHF radio Ch16 we agreed that I would exit at the Minim River (mile marker 415) and allow him a safe pass, then I would resume my trip following the tug astern. I call this technique IFT navigation for "I Follow Tugs". We were delighted to have the use of his powerful searchlights to find the aids to navigation. About 45 minutes later we thanked the tug captain and exited into to South Santee River at red daymarker R22.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Navigation
• tug
• captain
• icw
• safety
• mikeruel
• ruel
• deana
• mike
• sailboat

[jjames450]

I know exactly where that is. I duck hunt a few places through there!