AuspiciousWorks

“So this happened in Montana. I'm on my way to go to my interview this morning when I get pulled over by a police officer.

I am native American and my friend that was with me is black. Just saying.

Both brake lights decided to go out this time.

As he walked to the car and I was pulling out my stuff, he quickly said,

"Don't worry about pulling anything out. I just want you to know that your brake lights are out."

So I'm immediately upset, because I just got them replaced like last month.

So I explained to him how Firestone wants to charge me $600 just to run a test on the wiring of the car.

He looked at me like 😨 and told me to pop the trunk.

He checked the lights in the trunk and tapped them, but they didn't come on.

So he told me to pop the hood to check the relay box then asked me to get out to check the other one.

Then worked on the wiring under the dash.

He could've easily given me a ticket, but Officer Jenkins stepped out of officer role, and into mechanic role, and human role to make sure I was straight.

By the way HE FIXED THEM."

Ferry walking

I got a question the other day about the meaning of "crabbing" - no not fishing for crustaceans.

This led to a discussion of ferry walking as a method of docking which I will take a few moments to share.

In areas of high current docking can indeed be a challenge. When the current runs parallel to dockage, especially side-tie bulkheads (Charleston, Wilmington, and Morehead City come to mind), ferry walking is a way to maintain control and position quite delicately.

Pointing into the current adjust power so forward speed through the water just matches the current speed. You can certainly do this by staring at instruments for STW and SOG. It is far easier to just use something nearby such as the dock you want to tie to as a landmark. Once you are balanced against the current you can turn the wheel slightly in the direction you want to go and the boat will slide nearly sideways that way. You may have to adjust power slightly. If you turn too much you risk having the bow driven off and get turned across the current. Gentle patience is key.

Ferry walking is a skill and like all skills is better with practice and deteriorates with disuse. Any time you find yourself in a high current you can practice. I suppose you could take a moment out in the Gulf Stream but the ICW and inland waterways are probably better choices. Every wait for a drawbridge becomes an opportunity to "hover" against the current instead of making holes in the water.

This technique does work against wind as well although it is much more fussy as wind changes speed and direction, especially near obstructions, much more than current does.