Night Vision

Night Vision

Night vision is extremely important.?I’ve seen (on the news) several collisions with other boats or breakwaters that were probably caused by poor night vision.?When I stood my 2000 to 0000 (8 pm to Midnight) watch I always started 15 ‘early to get my night vision ready.?Red lights on the bridge give you visuals without affecting your ability to see at night.?Lighting a cigarette or cigar close one eye before lighting to maintain your night vision.?A rule for all crew, when on the bridge always face forward and keep a lookout if in a discussion with the helm.?

I was heading South in the Fall approaching Cape Canaveral.?On the radar was a parade of thunderstorms moving East.?These were very intense with a lot of lightning.?It was about 0100 (1 AM) when I came close enough to slow down.?I was nervous that there were mini-tornadoes (waterspouts) embedded in the storms and did not want to try to cross.?I marched back and forth along the line looking for a gap, The ozone smell was strong and lightning rapid.?I spent a good hour looking for a break but nothing.?My fear is going through a waterspout, which is a vertical column of seawater that could disrupt the forces holding the seawater up and then dumping the entire column on the boat causing a possibility of capsizing. The last thing I wanted to do was to longer my trip home on our last day, but I was not going to take the risk.?Thunderstorms kept developing on the peninsula and moving offshore I just kept pacing back and forth along the line like a nervous expecting Father I had the watch, thankfully and I knew the crew were unaware and sleeping comfortably as there were no seas, (no fetch). Finally, as dawn was showing signs, I saw a gap and at full throttle broke thru the storms. With no further ado made it to Ft Lauderdale in time for diner.