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Fomula used by USCG to determine unsafe bar conditions

I usually figure a bar is unsafe if there's a fight in progress, I see bulletholes in the windows, or when there's a mixture of HD's and souped up rice-burners parked out front.

The USCG, however, has different standards.

I think the formula comparing the wave height to the LOA divided by 10 and then adding the freeboard is pretty useful. If I follow the logic correctly, the formula predicts that a 30-foot boat with a 4-foot freeboard should be OK in up to about 7-foot waves.

>From a USCG item on bar safety:

** Many boating accidents and fatalities are attributed, at least in part, to hazardous coastal bar conditions. A federal law was enacted in the early 1970s establishing the ocean entrances to northwest rivers and bays as Regulated Boating Areas under the National Boating Safety Act. This law gives the Coast Guard authority to suspend or terminate the voyage of recreational vessels and certain passenger vessels that attempt to operate in these areas when hazardous or unsafe conditions exist. Failure to comply can result in a $1000 civil penalty.

When imposing restrictions, the Coast Guard first evaluates the conditions at the bar. Restrictions are then based on the type and size of vessel and the following criteria:

Wave height four feet or greater, or, Wave height is greater than the length of the boat divided by 10 plus the freeboard, or, The surface current is four knots or greater. These conditions are the minimum criteria for what is considered unsafe.

**

Chuck
May 3
You haven't lived until you spend an evening or two in a side street bar in Brockton, MA, singing "My Way" with a dozen or so Harley Dudes.

Eisboch

Eisboch
May 3
Do you happen to sing the countertenor parts? :>} Harry
May 3
That reminds me. I've been in many bars in many cities and countries, with sailor, marines, mill workers, steel framers in NYC, whores, acid droppers, potheads, etc. Closed and crawled out of them. Never saw a fight. Just close calls. One day I fell asleep on the train coming home from work in downtown Chicago and missed my stop. Ended up in Northbrook, home of doctors, lawyers and stockbrokers. The return train wouldn't be for an hour, and I spotted a bar across the street from the station. Went in to have a beer or two. Real toney place, full of the above mentioned sorts, wearing $2000 suits and $1500 cashmere overcoats. Didn't get half a beer down before a fight broke out. I was out of there real quick before somebody pulled a piece. Always resented not getting to finish my $3 bottle of beer.

--Vic

Vic
May 3
I never hung around with a Squids. :>) Short
May 3
On 3 May 2007 11:54:07 -0700, Chuck Gould <chuckgould.chuck@gmail.com> Vic
May 3
Too snobby. You'll never meet Shortwave Sports or Eisbocher that way. They're known for hanging out with the lowlifes. Harry
May 3
   

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