followed at night

[pine island fred]

This may be a subject that may be brought up in boating/ sailing magazines, dont know because I dont read any. Was at the tavern last night and a boating subject came up ( what else ?) Friend is an avid sailor, dont like motors. He related that on occasions, when he was aproaching the coast in FL., he would be followed by a boat with no lights and too close.
Says that if he changed course, the boat would follow him. If he changed course again, they would follow him again. Sensing something was wrong, he would get on the radio and call the CG, giving his location, course and explain the situation. Announced that if he changed course again and was still followed, he would consider that he was threatened and start throwing some lead. In all cases the boat following him would break off.
My take on the whole thing is that they were monitering the frequency. Probably some CG, DEA or immigration guys with a boat and to much time on their hands. Why no lights? Just throwing this out there that it might be a good idea to use your radio if you feel uncomfortable. regards FRED

 

[NYBo]

Re: followed at night

It could also have been smugglers trying to make shore safely without being seen.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: followed at night

yup sounds like smugglers or pirates to me

 

[H20Rat]

Re: followed at night

Flares + NVG's or at least regular binoculars. See if there is a hull ID of any sort at least.

 

[trendsetter240]

Re: followed at night

Probably criminals of some sort, monitoring the coast guard channel. That'd explain them breaking off when the threat was made.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: followed at night

This sounds awfully similar to an urban legend I once heard.

 

[grego]

Re: followed at night

If going in, prolly a drug shadow. They Shadow you close and hope that dea picks you as they slowly move to a dock under cover.

 

[mciaio]

Re: followed at night

Why not call the CG and then get a spotlight out and shine it on them? Then you can have an ID. I agree. Sounds like an urban legend.

 

[pine island fred]

Re: followed at night

Dont really know, sure there are some urban legend out there that I have not heard. Why I was not skeptical was that he related that it was himself, not the usual friend of a cousins brother in law. He is familiar with sailing the caribbean and central america but what do I know.
What got my attention was that I would know how he felt. Back in the later 70s, was operating a larger TROJAN at night coming back from AMBROSE LIGHT. Rounding SANDY HOOK, picked up someone following me. Was cruising slow but they stayed too close behind me and kept their damn spotlight on me all the time. Blinded me! Had to finally turn the engine off and drift. They hung around for awhile and finally left, never hailed me. They could have been lost but people usually talk to you when they are lost or in fog, like I know where I am going in the fog!! Admit I have always been lucky with a compass. I remember the radio had tubes and crystals.
Looking back, there were items being thrown over the side and retrieved back then. FRED

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: followed at night

around here, the seals and other good guys do a lot of spooky stuff like that. They aklso do a lot of dangerous stuff, like running dark boats WOT with no lights in the dark but heavily used waters.

So it could have been John Law checking you out, but not wanting to blow his cover.

 

[Sikiguya]

Re: followed at night

Inconceiveable!

 

[high'n'dry]

Re: followed at night

Most likely BS, however, good guys or bad guys, shadowing me like that at night, no lights, zigging for my zag on open water would quite likely get you shot. Anyone with any sense would know that is aggressive behavior and a very dangerous game to play with a civilian yacht who might have women, children, whose skipper might become terrified and is most likely armed significantly.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: followed at night

Inconceiveable!

You keep using that word....
I do not think it means what you think it means.................

 

[paulspaddle]

Re: followed at night

You keep using that word....
I do not think it means what you think it means.................

 

[trendsetter240]

Re: followed at night

this actually made me laugh out loud.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: followed at night

and here I was afraid nobody would get my humor.... LOL.... i mean seriously roflmao

 

[capt sam]

Re: followed at night

It's Homeland Security if it occured down here Fred. They run quite a few go fast blacked out vessels in this area of Fla. We were responding to a sinking vessel last year around midnight, when one of them ran up next to us, I never saw or heard him till he did that, they utilize night vision and run military spec'd muffled outboards.

 

[surrender]

Re: followed at night

"Was at the tavern last night..."

Thast all I needed to read. Have hung out in many a boating bar and the stories that are told. LMAO

 

[mciaio]

Re: followed at night

and here I was afraid nobody would get my humor.... LOL.... i mean seriously roflmao

Just too funny. I could watch that movie end to end all day long. My other all time favorite:

"You'll shoot your eye out kid!"

My TV never turns off TBS on Christmas Day, they run it 24 hours straight.

 

[paulspaddle]

Re: followed at night

Just too funny. I could watch that movie end to end all day long. My other all time favorite:

"You'll shoot your eye out kid!"

My TV never turns off TBS on Christmas Day, they run it 24 hours straight.

May have hijacked this thread....your fault Smoke.

Have to agree, The Princess Bride is one of my all time favourites AND the whole family can watch!

Isn't it, "Christmas Story"?.....that's my wife's favourite Christmas movie and that's what she calls it too.

Us humans....thinking we're so unique.