OK, show your age. - who remembers these??

[dingbat]

Re: OK, show your age. - who remembers these??

Black cans were federal (USCG) maintained, not a state thing.

Uniform State Waterway Marking System

This system was originally intended for use by states on lakes and inland waterways that weren?t covered by nautical charts. The buoys used in the Uniform State Waterway Marking System (USWMS) used colors, shapes and marking patterns that differed greatly from the U.S. Aids to Navigation System (ATONS).

In 1998, the U.S. Coast Guard decided to phase out the USWMS to avoid potential confusion of boaters and instead, favored using the more widely recognized ATONS. By 2003, the USWMS was completely phased out. Below are a few of the differences from the federal system you should know about.

Summary of the important changes regarding the phase out of USWMS:

The old USWMS black port side channel markers are now GREEN can buoys. The old USWMS red starboard side channel markers are now red NUN buoys. The old USWMS red and white vertically striped buoys have been replaced by one of the following: a red or green channel marker directing safe passage, an orange and white regulatory marker, or a red and black isolated danger marker. The old USWMS white buoys topped with black or red bands, have been replaced by one of the following: a red or green channel marker directing safe passage, an orange and white regulatory marker, or a red and black isolated danger marker.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: OK, show your age. - who remembers these??

Nope...black was an inland (State) thing. Our waterways used the international standards



Boatman isn't in the vocabulary. Boater(s), “turons”, and weekenders” where one and the same. Persons experienced around boats where captains, mates, and deckhands :lol:

I haven't been to the coast in many years. I was always in inland water so inland rules were used. Red Nun and Black Can. Never forget the saying: Red on the right returning. Easy to remember and kept you out of trouble.

Mark

 

[Expidia]

Re: OK, show your age. - who remembers these??

Yeah, I remember all of that.

I also remember back in the day that Dad said don't buy a plastic boat because they rotted inside and fell apart (we had wooden boats back then and they didn't rot).

I also remember Grandpa saying how he was happy to take care of Dad's boat while he was serving on another "boat" in the South Pacific.

I also remeber when we made no wake even though we never heard of a no-wake zone because they weren't posted - you just used common sense and had concern for your neighbor.

Most of all is what I DONT remember....

* accidents on the waterways
* collisions due to drunken drivers (Dad and Grandpa always had a beer but not a whole case)
* speeding boats on poker runs that would run down a fishing boat (the "gofasts of the day were mahogany runabouts with V-8's but they went down the middle and didn't bother the fishermen)
* nobody got towed because they were well maintained and if you broke a shear pin on a floating stick you rowed home and didn't bother somebody else
* boaters (actually "boatmen") learned from their fathers. They didn't just have a bunch of cash and go buy a boat without having a clue what to do.
* the internet where anybody could ask a question and then go out and follow bad advice. Back in the day we went to the library and read a book and then did what the author recommended. Or, we went to a marina and took the advice of an old salt.

Technology is ever improving, but common sense has gone by the wayside. The good ole days are long gone.

All very well said. My feelings exactly.

 

[smoothy003]

Re: OK, show your age. - who remembers these??

If it helps any of you, being 35 and part of the "no common sense" generation, while I never personally had to plot my position or contact the MO or Coast Guard, I do remember all of these things as they were drilled into my head by my father, who was the son of a Navy man, who was the son of a Navy man.

The ones of my generation who have no common sense, and I agree, they are out there, looming, waiting to ruin everyones fun.

I find these people are coming from the "status symbol" side of boating. They are the ones that make it a fashion show at the launch, with their pretty trucks, pretty boats and pretty mistresses in barely any clothes. They power their boat off the trailer, crank the stereo to 11, fill the ballast tanks on a (in my opinion) worthless direct drive boat which they will have payments on for longer than their houses, and proceed to leave the ramp under full power, causing all the rest of us scrambling to make sure our fendors will be protecting our boats.

Most of my boating friends are like myself, with salt in our veins through family ties, whether it be from fisherman, Navy or Coast Guard men, or just general recreational boating.

I can still hear ringing in my ears, from two generations of men, secure that line correctly, clear off this mess, do it right or your swimming home, make sure you get that teak gleaming.... and many others.

Long story short for my rambling posts please take care to not paint all of us "30 Something" people as idiots who don't know common sense, there are still some of us younger people who take pride in boat ownership, are considerate of others, and do care for and will always support our fellow boaters.

 

[Ned L]

Re: OK, show your age. - who remembers these??

Smoothie - It was not my intent to imply that those of us who grew up with those memories have any more boating 'sense', just that we remember those things. Glad to hear that you grew up with good teachers and training too. Sounds like I'd enjoy time on the water with you. I didn't grow up with a navy backround, just a long time, well educated, sort of "hard core" recreational boating backround (it grew into some commercial fishing on my part). While growing up a friend of our family's who was a true "Sandy Hook pilot" would tell others that I was born with salt water in my veins. - I think we could relate.

 

[QC]

Re: OK, show your age. - who remembers these??

Just stumbled across this thread. I actually loved using an RDF. Such a simple solution, and they worked great.

 

[Ned L]

Re: OK, show your age. - who remembers these??

Yep, pick up 2 or 3 LOP's from the C.G. radio beacons & that's where you are. Simple.