The Blue Angels are flying over San Francisco this weekend for their annual air show. It makes for a grand day on the bay with friends and family. Even if the weather is predicted to be overcast or cloudy, we are guaranteed a monumental turnout of pleasure boats. People who never use their boats for any other reason will be on the water.
There are three events every year that brings boaters out of the woodwork: the KFOG fireworks in May, the 4th of July fireworks and the Blue Angels. I call these events "˜Amateur Hour' and try to avoid them like the plague. Actually, I usually try to convince one of my neighbors to take their boat out and beg to ride along. It's not the cost of fuel that keeps me in the slip for the Amateur Hour events, but the fact that there are so many people heading to the same location who may, or may not, know how to handle their boats. Just watching the multitude and variety of anchoring drills makes my back side pucker, especially when they are trying to drop their hook over my anchor rode. You will see every kind of foul anchoring technique, including the anchor throwers and those guys who put out 1 to 1 scope and then wonder why they are dragging. Even worse is when they don't even notice that they are dragging and are headed my way at a rapid clip.
The fireworks events are just as bad, and maybe worse, when you consider that everything happens in the dark. Shoot, sometimes boating is hard even when you know what you are doing during the day time. I'm always amazed at the people who try to sail through a crowded venue with no running lights. Last May, after the KFOG fireworks, we almost hit a guy who was sailing near Hunters Point without so much as a candle to illuminate his boat. What the hell are they thinking? Do they feel they have the right just because they are in a sailing vessel? Or, maybe you can buy a boat cheaper without running lights.
Tips for boating in crowded conditions:
1. The captain should never allow liquor to touch his lips when boating in Amateur Hour conditions. He, or she, will require every one of the five senses to operate the vessel, especially when surrounded by pandemonium. Accept the fact that every other boater is going to be Three Sheets to the Wind and trying to maneuver while under the influence, and operate your boat accordingly.
2. Find a spot early in the day, anchor and then stay put. Be prepared to defend your territory! If somebody looks like they are going to drop an anchor over yours, let them know in no uncertain terms that it is not ok. Boaters who try to maneuver through crowded anchorages, especially in the dark, are just asking for trouble.
3. The best offence is a good defense. Stay back, well away from the main body of the herd. By keeping yourself separated from the fracas, you minimize the chance of a collision. Besides, the wakes from moving vessels will cause your guests to be uncomfortable, so the further away from the scene of the crime, the better for all involved.
Our kitty has never liked the sound of fireworks or roaring jet engines, so that's another reason we don't participate in our own boat. "Never panic the cat" is a motto to live by, especially if you have carpeted floors.
If you are one of the many who are planning to see the air show, be careful out there! It's not just your boat that may be in jeopardy. As captain, you are ultimately responsible for your crew and any damage you may do unto others.
