Shemaya wrote:
Hi Scott,
At a bare minimum, I would add some kind of radar reflector to your minimal-version list. Could be anything, except maybe not the skinny cylinders that don't test very well. Arne's tinfoil in a bag would do the trick. It's amazing how fast those big ships come up – even when keeping a good lookout. Nice to have something that gives them a hand with seeing you.
I'm guessing that there are higher traffic routes and lower traffic routes for crossing the lake? And areas where you know you have to particularly watch out for north-south shipping traffic. Doing those sections in daytime would help…
Shemaya
Scott,
I agree with that. Your first line of defence is the largest Echomax inflatable reflector, 230I, hoisted when needed, and in our size of boat, I'd arrange a halyard to a point halfway up the mast lift so that it's something like 3 - 5 metres above the water. An AIS receiver would be next, but a higher budget would be needed.
Have you got a ship-watching AIS app on your computer? It would be a good way of establishing the patterns of traffic where you are. Looking at the MarineTraffic app right now, when it's the middle of the night in Michigan, I see a dozen freighters on north/south passages, along with one ro-ro ferry and two large power yachts. No fishermen or other leisure craft. I suggest that this will be the scenario when you cross, as it's an 80 mile passage and you want to set off and arrive in daylight. It's similar to the English Channel crossing from the Solent to Cherbourg in that way. It's when you're near the coast that you're at greatest risk, as there are likely to be more vessels behaving unpredictably, so that's best done in daylight. In the middle of Lake Michigan, on a clear night, freighters will be keeping a steady course and speed, and they'll be manned by skilled professionals who are used to avoiding crossing traffic. I'd rather be there than driving along a busy highway amongst a mix of big trucks and cars with drivers of all levels of skill.