one more reason...

[Brian Duff]

...to not use your autopilot interfaced with the GPS while going under a bridge (or ever).

It seems that the three step sequence for turning off the below decks wheel pilot on this boat was too much to handle in the 'heat of the moment'.

Boat was going 6+ knots under engine power.

[Brion Toss]

Hi Brian,
Interesting that you should post that. We just got back from examining a steel cutter that was hit head-on by a 40ft power boat, at speed. And yes, some alcohol was involved. The front of the cutter was torn off/compressed/foded for about 6ft. and we could see ripples on deck almost to amidships. The power boat has a couple of very large holes in it.
It was an interesting job, forensically, as it wasn't clear what the angle of impact was. But an examination of the chainplates and rig tune indicated that impact was slightly to port of the stem. This was later confirmed by witnesses at the scene.
No fatalities or serious injuries, though I understand that most of the people aboard both boats went to the emergency room.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

I was wing and wing approaching Best Point in the Indian Arm, and a fishing boat "Miss Leila III" just about ran me down. As the boat came across my stern while I emergency gybed I noticed the silhouette of the pilot with his feet up aft reading a book.

I don't *know* that he didn't see me, or that he was on autopilot, but I'm guessin'. He also wasn't monitoring ch 16 a minute or two later when I tried to get in touch with him.

Amgine