Re: [Paddlewise] Again with the tankers!

James,

I'm not sure how the New York Express signaled her displeasure with you  
but my guess is it was a whistle blast. Having worked commercial boats  
I would say there is a good chance she was trying to warn you of the  
wave that would be headed your way.  Much as we might not want to  
believe it most of these guys are pretty decent and many sail or kayak  
for pleasure.

Michael


> From: James Farrelly <jfarrelly5_at_comcast.net>
>
> Went out fossil hunting on the Savannah again Saturday.  The
> container ship New York Express expressed its displeasure with me
> being next to the channel.  Two other container ships had gone down
> river while I was digging with no ill effects for me. But those ships
> were empty and rode high in the water.  The New York Express was full
> and low.  She passed me just as I had gotten back into my kayak and
> was cruising about 25 feet from shore well outside the channel.
>
> I heard a sudden rushing sound and turned to see a five foot wall of
> muddy water slamming into the bank where I had been about a minute
> earlier.  I leaned hard to turn away from what looked like a tidal
> bore gone crazy.  Surfing, jinking and bracing over that mess was
> exciting yet it was spooky to think I could have just as easily still
> been on the bank with my head down concentrating on my digging.  If I
> had been hit by that succession of waves I am not too sure I would
> have survived. My boat and all my gear would certainly have been lost.
>
> The locals tend to give me a second look when I kayak alone because I
> always wear my composite helmet.  I have my reasons and those reasons
> were all waiting for me when I got home.
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