dinning on shore while anchored

anxiously awaiting our first catamaran charter in Feb on TMM's newest cat Boomerang.. had a question come up with our group.. we plan to dine ashore most nights and wonder what the logistics are of shuttling the group via dinghy after dark.. I'm sure our captain will advise on that but we would like to know in advance,,,

Not much different than by day. Flashlights in the dinghy (and turned on) so other boats can see you and you can see mooring balls. Also travel at a much slower pace to keep dry and to avoid trouble.

Also pass behind anchored boats to avoid motoring across anchor/mooring lines (or well in front).. Good flashlights(I have my own), SLOW is pro, and don't forget bug spray when going ashore.
A dry bag or two is nice ...day or night.

And always pre-calculate which is the windward/leeward side of the dinghy. The windward side passengers often get a "wet butt".

If you can see that flashlight you are killing your night vision. The lights are best left OFF. There is a reason real boats, yachts, and ships do not have headlights.

My view is to keep the ligh on, pointed forward and outside of the dinghy. It is likely that the dinghy will not have running lights. If your lights are off, no other boats, especially faster boats will not be able to see you. People have been killed in dinghies running invisible.

Also, the tubes usually get damp with the evening condensation. So you might want to dry where you will sit before you get wet,

Yes... don't hold the flashlight in a manner that impacts your night vision. But sorry SJ, I can't agree with the rest of your advice. On many nights there is no way to safely see unused mooring balls and pendants without a light. Furthermore, if you are in a busy anchorage like The Bight, you run the risk of being hit by a powerboat if they cannot see you. Finally, lighting is required on any boat with a motor.

Once you learn to use night vision and your ears. You will be safer with those lights off. At night in the anchorage it is always best to stay clear of the other boats using your night vision and your ears. Once anyone turns on a white flashlight you are blind and that is why you are missing the moorings and need the light to try and search for them in the dark. Yes, you can have the light ready to turn on to alert another boat only when you must. Once someone powers up a flashlight it will take you a long time to get any night vision back. The way to go is to keep a proper lookout with the handheld blinding lights off in a dinghy.

I bought two LED flashlights, the cheap ones that float and have a whistle. One red and one green. They work pretty good on my dinghy both for reduced glare and boat orientation. Maybe try those.

Try whatever you like, as long as other boats can see you.

I disagree. Maybe back in the day when you rowed your dinghy ashore it was safe without a light using your ears and night vision. Today there are other boats moving fast through the anchorages including ferries, go fast boats and dinghys. Yeah, your keen night vision might detect them while they are bearing down on you but without a light they can't see you and in the event of a collision you will be found negligent. Plus, the outboard from your dinghy makes it difficult to hear approaching boats. We put a person on the bow with a flashlight pointed forward scanning the anchorage in front of us.

If other boats cannot see you then you risk being hit by another boat. I'm not exactly sure of the rules/laws in the BVI for running a boat at night, but there is a reason in back in the states you are required to have your lights (configuration depending on boat size/type) on while boating at night.

Sure if you use a flashlight and look into it your night vision will be affected, but if you shine the light up or in front of you it won't matter that much. Then again with most of the dingy's coming back from bars I'd say most are more impaired from the drinks then a little flashlight and it's more important the others can see you.

Stay clear of other boats!?! You're in a crowded anchorage, heading towards (or away from) a popular restaurant, with a very high likelihood that other dinghies and various boats are roaming around also. How the heck are you going to stay clear of other boats?

Use your flashlight. Don't point it into your eyes. Better to lose a little bit of your night vision than to get run down by someone who didn't see you, when all you're doing is moving the short distance from your boat to the dinghy dock!

Here are the rules for lights http://www.westmarine.com/WestAdvisor/Navigation-Light-Rules

...and remember where you parked! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> Sounds silly, but in a big crowded mooring field at night, a lot of boats look the same. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

I'm confident our captain will get us back and forth ok
we were just questioning the logistics for dinner planning
that's why I asked,,,looks like we will have lots of options for eating

Whatever you do, DO NOT give anybody those head lamps We once saw a dinghy full of passengers outfitted with those lights all turn to look at the helmsman at the same time . I am sure he was blind for a week!

Can you elaborate to what info you're looking for then?

If there is any shallow water between your mooring and the dock you may want to try a dry run during daylight hours, if possible, for familiarization. More than one prop has been unsuspectingly bent at night.

I was more or less just asking if it was practical to expect to dine ashore most nights,,,that would affect what food we would need to provision for,,,

Night vision is a learned skill for many. Keep the light off and pay attention. If there is another boat approaching anywhere near your course only them should you briefly signal with a light. Before anyone turns on a light at least the helmsman should close or cover at least one eye. Many believe that is one of the purposes of the old pirate patch. To establish and maintain night vision. Just closing both eye for ten seconds can establish some night vision for some of us. You will never solve this on a keyboard. Each night sky and anchorage are different. I strongly suggest everyone learn to establish night vision and experience what you can actually see once you have your eyes properly adjusted. White lights are the worst robbing everyone on your boat and maybe those around you the ability to see. The danger is all the folks with white lights running around the harbors blind and many times drunk. Pay attention using your night vision and avoid them. Turn a light on only if you must signal them or have proper running lights were none of the lights coming from you boat are visible to the helm and lookout on your boat.

You will be able to communicate with most restaurants on the water in the BVI via VHF.
Many will meet you at your boat after you settle in with a menu and special list.

There certainly are some places you could overnight that don't have a bar/restaurant...but that's up to you. There is more than ample opportunity to do all meals ashore if that's what you want to do.

I typically eat one or two breakfasts ashore, a couple of lunches, and all dinners. I miss a meal or three as well.

Night vision aside and as mentioned before...
any Power Driven Vessel (PVD) is require to have proper lighting.
Up to the dingy captain to keep the lights out of their eyes <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />

My two cents: I understand most accidents seem to have a dinghy involved, perhaps as simple as one of the crew falling in the water when attempting to enter or exit the dinghy, or something more serious. Be ready to assist others, or accept help yourself. As was said, it can get a little wet, depending on the conditions in the anchorage, and don't forget you likely have sand on your feet/sandals when returning to your boat. Keep your captain happy by having a bucket of water on the scoop for washing your feet and shoes before entering the cockpit/salon.

Your captain will surely know, but if you tell him that you want to be in anchorages that have restaurants ashore, then you can have that every night.
Lights out or lights on, enjoy!!

As others have pointed out, pretty easy to dine ashore in Feb in the BVIs. Checking the Virgin Islands Cruising Guide that will be aboard your charter boat will help you determine what dining options exist in the various overnight anchorages that you are planning to stay in.
Note that once you leave Tortola, many of the smaller restaurants require you to make reservations prior to 4pm. Some will also ask that you select your meal options at the time of reservations to ensure that have your preferences on hand for the evening meals. I have seen on occasion that restaurants that have no evening reservations either don't open for dinner or close early.
Reservations can be made by phone, in person or using the VHF.
Enjoy your trip

Insert random copy and pasted item here:_____________________ <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />

Having had one set of sailing friends t-boned at night while dinkimg back to the boat, it is a no brainer.

Use a light.

Have never experienced that on Virgin Gorda.

I have experienced that on anegada. Nowhere else in the bvi.

If you get to anegada. A must visit is the wonky dog. Check their web site and look at the menu and reviews here and on TripAdvisor. It's outstanding.

Ron,

One of your worst posts ever under your pseudonym Stormjib. Pirates wearing patches to avoid being blinded by flashlights? We should all wander around in the dark at home to get our night vision ready for a dinghy ride without flashlights? The bottom line is a boat under motor power at night is required to display a white light. I would like to see you explain to a jury how you conditioned your night vision in PA before your charter but still got run over by the ferry so it's not your fault you didn't display a light.

I know of an incident that occurred 15 years ago. A friend was the owner of the particular charter boat. It was on a mooring at Saba rock. The occupants went to bitter end for dinner. On the way back across the channel between Saba and beyc their dingy was hit by a high speed power cruiser. Several dinghy passengers were killed on impact. Litigation transpired for years. I don't recall the outcome. But nobody needs to be at risk for this sort of mishap. To travel without a light is illegal reckless and puts people's lives At risk. It's stupid.

We never have issues with lights and night vision. Person in front holds light out down toward the water ahead. Says "mooring ball 2 o'clock" as needed. Don't shine at other boats. Seems simple...

Here is a little cut and paste for your entertainment.

http://mentalfloss.com/article/52493/why-did-pirates-wear-eye-patches

Do not underestimate the importance of night vision on the water.

We ALWAY bring a small light and use it in the dingy at night.

I won't comment on whether a light is needed or not. All I'll say is that we have unintentionally made more than one dinghy trip back to the boat at night without a flashlight. I wasn't worried much about us seeing things as we could see pretty well and we took it nice and slow. What I was worried about though is people not seeing us - especially the people that feel the need to run their dinghy full speed in the mooring field at night. So, my only advice, presuming you intend to use a light, is to make sure you don't forget it when you come in to shore since it will often be light when you are heading in but will turn dark while you are earring dinner.

We have a backpack that always comes ashore. Contains handheld VHF, flashlight, bug spray, sunscreen, coozies, camera and ziploc bags for electronics. Phones go in the ziplocs before we leave the boat. We always remember the bag.

Ditto. We always bring a dry bag ashore with our "stuff."

Very good suggestion!

PSOD: Apologies for hi-jacking your thread.

The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea ("COLREGS"), published by the International Maritime Organization, set out navigation rules to prevent collisions between two or more vessels. A dinghy under power is a "vessel." These regulations have been adopted by treaty by virtually every nation, including Great Britain and by extension the BVI.

Part C, Lights & Shapes, states in paragraph 20 that the "[r]ules concerning lights apply from sunset to sunrise, in conditions of restricted visibility and in all other circumstances when it is deemed necessary." Paragraph 23 states, in pertinent part, that a power-driven vessel underway less than 23.0 ft in length, whose maximum speed does not exceed 7 knots (8 mph), must be capable of showing a white light. Unlike the US and all 50 states, I am not aware of any BVI-specific modifications to the COLREGS.

So, assuming your dinghy is not 23 feet or longer, or your shorter dinghy is traveling at 7 knots or less, you are technically legal operating at night if you have a flashlight on board capable of being turned on to show a white light.

(Note: That is not the case in the USVI, where a dinghy underway at night must actually display red and greed sidelights visible for at least 1 mile, and an all-around white light at least 3.3 ft high visible for at least 2 miles.)

However, "legal" is not the same as smart, safe, sane and careful. In 2016 I retired from 42 years as a civil trial attorney, specializing in the litigation of recreational marine accidents. I have reviewed thousands of accident reports, personally investigated hundreds of incidents, and tried dozens of cases to verdict, including both collisions and allisions. At the outset, I always hypothetically asked: "Which side would I choose if I could?" That would tell me which way a jury was likely to lean, and thus how steep I hill I would have to climb for my actual client. I would hope not to have to represent a StormJib, as it would require a vertical climb with a slip leading to a very deep abyss. In other words, I would not be able to find a qualified expert to testify that it was reasonable for my client to be operating an unlit powered vessel in the dark at the time of the collision.

On over a dozen charter trips, from the BVI to Union Island and everything in between, we successfully operated our dinghies at night as follows:

1. No speed faster than idle in a mooring field.

2. Bow passenger tasked with correctly holding a red-green flashlight so as to be visible to other vessels.

Red-Green Battery Flashlight

3. A stern passenger tasked with shining a white flashlight off the stern, so as not to be directed toward the helmsperson yet visible to other vessels.

4. All passengers instructed to be observant for other moving vessels, mooring balls, anchor lines, etc.

We did so not be legal, but because it is reasonable and makes common sense.

If you have proper running lights certainly use them. Most of the charter boats are lucky if they have a working flashlight. We do carry small lights in our pockets or shore bag. Staying alert and avoiding other boats is the best way to protect yourself.

Here is what Boats US has to say on the subject.

Finding your boat in the dark can be a challenge. Ask everyone to keep the flashlights off to preserve your night vision until you get near the boat and are ready to tie up and unload. A solar garden light tied to a stanchion provides an inexpensive nighttime marker low on the mothership at the height where people in a dinghy are usually looking. Also, battery-powered LED lights in various colors, such as blue, can be suspended from dodgers or towers and won't drain your onboard energy reserves. Make sure lights such as these don't conflict with lighting required by the Navigation Rules

Establishing and maintaining night vision is the key to protecting your crew. Each night and anchorage will be different.

http://www.boatus.com/magazine/2016/october/dinghy-basics.asp

Hypothetical Attorney ("HA") for deceased passenger of dinghy who died from injuries suffered in a collision with a powered vessel that t-boned the dinghy on its port side in the dark, questioning the captain of the ill-fated dinghy.

HA: Mr. Jib, were you the captain of the dinghy in which your friend died?

SJ: Yes.

HA: Did you have any flashlights aboard your dinghy capable of showing a white light prior to and at the time of the collision?

SJ: Yes, as we were required to by COLREG 23.

HA: Was your dinghy actually displaying any type of light prior to or at the time of the collision?

SJ: No.

HA: The injured passengers In your dinghy have testified that you instructed them not to turn on any flashlights because you wanted to preserve your night vision. Did you do that?

SJ: Yes.

HA: With your night vision perfectly intact, did you see the other vessel on an intersecting course with yours?

SJ: Yes.

HA: Did you take any action in an attempt to avoid a collision?

SJ: Not initially, because my dinghy had the right-of-way as the stand-on vessel.

HA: Did you hear the captain of the other vessel testify that he did not give way because although he was keeping a lookout, he observed no lights and was unable see your dinghy until just before impact.

SJ: Yes.

HA: On the night of this collision, were you aware of COLREG 17.b., which provides that when, from any cause, the stand-on vessel finds herself so close that collision cannot be avoided by the action of the give-way vessel alone, the stand-on vessel must take such action as will avoid a collision?

SJ: Yes.

HA: What did you do?

SJ: When I saw that the other vessel was not going to stop or alter course, I tried to do so, but it was too late.

HA: In hindsight, do you think this accident might have been avoided if someone in your dinghy had been displaying a white light for the captain of the give-way vessel to observe and react to?

SJ: Yes, … but that would have hindered my night vision.

Verdict For Plaintiff.

HA: Was your dinghy actually displaying any type of light prior to or at the time of the collision?

SJ: No.

Not going to happen. We would and have turned lights on to signal any vessel approaching a collision course.

HA: Did you take any action in an attempt to avoid a collision?

SJ: Not initially, because my dinghy had the right-of-way as the stand-on vessel.

Never going to stand on "rights" in any anchorage at night. Too many do not know the rules, are intoxicated, distracted, not paying attention, blinded by various sources of light on their own vessel. We maintain a lookout and alter course when any vessel is approaching. We will and do you light if the course is anywhere near collision.

I understand a courtroom or protest can go in any direction. If I am found to not display a light some or even all the burdens may fall on me. We along with most of the more experienced practical sailors make the choice to use out night vision as the first line of defense and collision avoidance. Night be able to see because a well meaning passengers or guest aboard your boat with a poor light for the situation is the greatest danger.

If you have the correct lights certainly use them. I would never count on someone seeing me in any anchorage. Always attain adequate night vision and maintain at least one person with that vision. Never let a poorly skilled drunk help you out with a flashlight on your boat at night.

I do carry significant liability insurance to protect me and my family for any mistake someone else or any court thinks I have made. Since 1979 I have kept our launches at night from contact with other vessels. I believe you must be able to see them to avoid them. Most of the overloaded dinghy's moving through the anchorages are flying blind with their own poor use of lights. Once your night vision is established you will be amazed what you can see and have been missing trying to make use of the wrong lights in the past.

If you truly cannot see anything in the water 360 degrees around you? Maybe you should not be moving in anything as exposed as a dinghy. Failure to maintain a proper lookout!

High jacked is right,, I only wanted to know if it would be practical to expect to dine ashore at night,, not get into a whole discussion like this,,,,
carry on,,,,,,,

To your question. It is the norm for many if not most. With a hired captain he or she may run the dinghy for you. Others hand the kill switch over to you and let your group take care of themselves once the boat is on a mooring or at anchor for the night. I would carry my own small water resistant flashlight in my pocket or shore bag.

Even in two weeks you cannot possible dine at all the dinner options across the BVI.

Sample Meal Menu - There are many more!

Some may prefer a large late lunch ashore with grill your own or even just a salad on the boat for the evening meal. If we have young kids. Lunch is ashore(large and late) with dinner on the boat most nights.

This is small potatoes compared to flag etiquette or fenders hanging over the side while underway! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

That one is easy? There are pictures in the daylight to demonstrate the expected decorum.

Proper and acceptable:



All wrong and to be avoided:



Further the flag, pendant, or signal of a commercial sport team or enterprise should never be flown anywhere from a yacht. Save your football, basketball, and school alumni stuff for the weekends inside the stadium.

Actually, this link might be more useful for some to read:

http://www.wikihow.com/Not-Be-Annoying

Wow the topic is dining ashore.

So, most of the anchorages (mooring fields too) have choices of where to eat. Dinners will typically run $20-40 pp plus booze. Tipping is optional and some places go ahead and add a service charge.

Provisioning can be done nearby at any of the bases and most would probably recommend more drinks and less food. I believe that a high percentage of people have breakfast on the hook, lunch underway and dinner ashore.

Lunch options are also easy along the way.

Some people bring coolers of food with them but this is not necessary as nearly everything you expect will be waiting for you.

Beer is cheap, and so is rum and other liquors. Wine is higher than you'd expect. Ice is plentiful at anchorages and be sure to keep lots on hand

Now, the rest can go on bantering about lights in a mooring field.

FYI. Most yacht crew keep a person on the bow when driving their unlit dinghy at night. This person points a light forward in a scanning motion to look for lines and mooring balls or other obstacles.

Hope this is helpful

Very good summary. I would add that you should have a back up plan for dinner in case the restaurant is full. I.e. Cooper island

Don't forget when you call on VHF for reservations everyone in the neighborhood hears you and knows when you will be off the boat. We use a fake boat name when calling - the restaurant will recognize you when you show up and the bad guys will be running around the harbor looking for a non-existent boat.

Polaris - excellent point. Cell coverage is usually pretty good, so I try to do a phone call for reservations when possible. It's more secure. Also, reservations are often required, and sometimes they want to know what you'll be eating in advance. This completely depends of the restaurant, of course.