Water Navigation
I'm sure that there are people who do offshore fishing or spend time in large bodies of water that may benefit from this. I realized my lack of skill in maritime navigation very quickly. Does anyone have any pointers in navigating on the water, or just how not to get lost?
Had a great adventure this weekend, and figured someone could learn from it.
Went out jet skiing in a party of 14 with 1 pontoon boat and 2 jet skis on Lake Norman NC. This wonderful lake has 600 miles of shore line and is 18 miles long, you really do need to see a map to appreciate it...
Took one of the jet skis out with another fellow in our group, whom I had just met, away from the shoal where everyone was out just to take a cruise and see how fast they would go. Left the cove that we were in into the main part of the lake. Noting that there were power lines and taking a rough bearing with my compass, of a smoke stack that we could see when we got out. After gallivanting about we decide to head back and realize we are disoriented, taking his direction we ride away.
30 minutes later I realize we're hopelessly lost and he hasn't come to that conclusion yet. We stop and take inventory of what we had on hand, an Iphone that we did not have the password to and no map, stop at a random boat and find we're 5-6 miles away from where we started. While I am on this boat he answers a phone call on the phone for someone looking for the owner, and then hangs up... Which I find out about later. Let him drive and go 5-6 miles past where we wanted to go... Eventually stopping at a total of 6 random compassionate people, some of whom had gotten lost on this lake before.
Finally we make it back to our group and our safety is ensured. At this point I learn that he lost his glasses and couldn't really see, but somehow wouldn't mention that while we were lost. One thing that was done right was not getting into a fight on a jet ski in the middle of a lake when lost. I am also thankful that it did not turn into a survival situation.
Lessons I have learned,
1. My wrist compass has become demagnetized.
2. Ensure that you have a map/GPS in a waterproof container.
3. Ensure possession of a phone/radio in a waterproof case
4. Beware/be aware of your company
__________________
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