RickyD
Guru
- Joined
- May 4, 2018
- Messages
- 793
- Location
- United States
- Vessel Name
- Aquarius
- Vessel Make
- Californian 55 CPMY
So we spent most of a week at anchor at Catalina's White's cove. We got in on Thursday morning so plenty of room. Dropped the hook in 63' and put out 190' of chain. This is a very calm area, only light winds predicted. Later others started coming in. One 60'er dropped a bit too close to us by my estimation just to the NW. Then another 65'er dropped a bit too close to us so my SE. I kept a close nervous eye on them and as we swung around back and forth with the changes in wind and current we got close but that was all. Next morning the NW boat was maybe 15' right behind us. Way too close. So I took off in the dinghy to chat with both owners. SE boat, no one home. I told NW owner I was leaving for most of the day and was concerned about our position. He said he was in 50' with 150' of chain out. He was going to stay near for the day so I left it at that. Upon our return in the afternoon we watched both boats would swing close then much further depending on the winds shifting from Calm, to E, to NW, then S. Sunday morning I woke up to NW boat being maybe 10' behind me. Owner said he had let out 50' last night. No way. I pulled in about 10 feet which helped. SW boat owner could see my concern as they drifted close but never budged even when there was plenty of room for him to move to a safer location. (I should have said something then). Then NW boat left. Whew, one down. Monday morning SW boat was close with calm winds we were drifting in opposite directions. They were in the cockpit when we started swinging towards them and they us. I ran to the bow and pulled in some chain but we were straight over the top and I wasn't moving. Then I ran back just as my crew was able to prevent them from hitting me. SW owner was just a little slow to start is engines and slip away, but he didn't pull up chain and move further away. There was a quick "sorry" from the wife. We were leaving soon so I let it go. I know I should have told them to move to a safer location. We could have hit while we slept. Would they have moved? If not, what next?