You shouldn’t wait until the sun has already set before planning a night-time voyage. Locks may be closed, it is difficult to navigate to your destination harbour in the dark, and even familiar waterways can become challenging in poor visibility. Just how quickly an autumn cruise can become rushed due to limited daylight hours is illustrated by a BOOTE feature on the trip from Werder to Hamburg.
Set the route to a safe destination
Calculate the journey time based on a speed that you can actually maintain in the dark, in traffic and in possible rough seas. A fast boat gains nothing if the crew can no longer keep a proper watch on their surroundings at high speed. The Collision avoidance rules for safe speeds Take into account visibility, traffic and manoeuvring space. In addition, motorboats must have sufficient range and a sufficient fuel reserve to cover detours or waiting times.
Before setting off, decide where you can turn off or moor in the event of a delay. Check whether the harbour entrance can be approached safely at night and whether the harbour has berths available. On inland waterways, it is important to check the Current lock operating hours and closures on ELWIS In addition, which routes may be used at night depends on the specific area and its rules. A familiar daytime route does not automatically mean it is permitted at night.
On the coast, the weather and visibility must remain favourable beyond the planned arrival time. The Marine Weather Service of the German Weather Service provides reports for the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, including warnings about strong winds, storms and rough seas. If fog, increasing winds or difficult conditions are forecast at the entrance to the area, the nearest safe harbour is often the better destination whilst there is still daylight.
Check the lights and the view outside
Before setting sail, switch on all the required navigation lights and check them from outside the boat. At sea, the lights must be displayed in accordance with the Collision Regulations between sunset and sunrise, and also during the day if visibility is reduced. The specific requirements for your boat depend, amongst other things, on the type and size of the vessel. On a larger motorboat, a white all-round light does not simply replace all other prescribed lights. If light fittings or equipment protrude into the light beam, this must also be rectified.
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Dim the plotter and interior lighting in good time. A bright windscreen in front of the helm reflects the instruments and makes it difficult to see buoys and other vessels. Keep a torch ready for use when working on deck, without unnecessarily dazzling other road users. Just how irritating lights on land can be was also demonstrated by a Night-time sailing during the BOOTE sailing course: Navigation marks were harder to make out against a lit-up coastline.
Plotters, radar and the Automatic Identification System (AIS) help with navigation. However, they are no substitute for a lookout. Particularly on fast motorboats, it is crucial to identify and assess an approaching target early and accurately. The BOOTE Guide to Using AIS explains why the targets displayed must be scrutinised. What happens when the Detecting a collision course The skipper and passengers should discuss what is essential before setting off on a night-time voyage.
Assign the crew before nightfall
Make it clear who is at the helm, who is navigating and who is keeping an eye on the surroundings. Everyone on board should be aware of the next change of course, the alternative port of call and the circumstances under which the voyage will be abandoned. Warm, dry clothing and life jackets should be within easy reach, not tucked away at the back of a storage locker. For longer legs of the journey, rest periods must be realistic. Anyone who sets sail whilst already tired should not rely on coffee and a later watch change.
If the electronic systems fail or the position displayed on the chart plotter appears implausible, the crew must still know where they are. The BOOTE tips for navigating without a reliable GPS help with the preparations. In autumn in particular, the most important decision is often a simple one: to secure an accessible mooring in good time
Lars Bolle
Chief Editor Digital