Close Maritime Call

[dicky109]

We were on a cruise out of TX last week and whilst heading out near Galveston Island this freighter was bearing down on us from the starboard side at a pretty good clip. Played a game of high speed marine chicken and crossed in front of our bow to the port side.

We were so happy that the big sign at the back displayed concern for the environment by not smoking. I guess they haven't figured out that the collision of this bad boy with a 50,000 ton cruise ship wouldn't be too healthy for the environment either.

[AJ711]

He's light as evident from the low waterline on the hull. And I'm sure both Captains were aware of each other and had scheduled the crossing accordingly. Now, if you ever have CBDR (Constant Bearing, Decreasing Range) THEN you need to run for the life boats. ;)

[Jubilee32]

If I understand your description, he would have had right of way in the channel - assuming both were properly within the channel. Consider it part of the cruise's entertainment.

[dale65bama]

If this is the full frame, the Platte was well off; they are just BIG! To fill the frame at your 38mm focal length (61mm on full frame 35mm camera), it was probably at least one ship length off, probably over 200 ft. And as noted by others, on a clear day, both ships were in continuous contact by radio.

Dale

[bsmotril]

From the background, it looks to be well inside the fairwell bouy, which means that harbor pilots are conning both that ship, and your cruise ship on the way out. You can bet each knows what the other is doing and the pass was planned. I ran an OSV out of Galveston to service gas wells for years, and the pilots all know each other on a first name basis, it's a tight community, and one hell of a great job to have. By the way, nice shot of the tanker, she's got a bone in her teeth for sure.

[dicky109]

I was fairly hopeful that these seamen knew what they were doing, however, for a lifelong landlubber, its a little disconcerting to stand at the bow & see this coming at you.

I never knew this photo site had such expertise on seafaring too. If only POTN had been around when the Titanic sailed...;).

Thanks for the information & comments.

[Jubilee32]

No one was kind enough to post a picture of the Titanic and the iceberg. Otherwise, we could have brought the situation into "focus."

Agree, great shot.

[dicky109]

No one was kind enough to post a picture of the Titanic and the iceberg. Otherwise, we could have brought the situation into "focus."

Agree, great shot.

I guess we missed this old thread.

The second shot is supposed to be an acutal photo of the iceberg that sank it. Must have been the streaks of black paint that gave up the perpetrator:rolleyes:

Amazing what Google will find!

[dale65bama]

This would be more like the Andrea Doria! Open sea collision between ships.

Dale