[Paddlewise] crossing ship channels safely?

Duane,
What are safety considerations on crossing shipping channels?  How do you
know when you are in the channel?  How can you tell if a large ship is going
to cross in front or behind?  Do you VHF to large ships that you see to
inform them of your presence?  What do you do if it is foggy, just trust to
luck that no ship is bearing down on you?  In your night crossing, do you
think that a large ship would see your lights and avoid you?
Jerry

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