Found a float plan form at United States Power Squadron. Unfortunately, filling out and submitting the form does not produce a page which is easy to copy and paste. When I have more time, I'll maybe make a form which produces a more useful page.
Anyway, below is a copy of the float plan I filed with Amy last night (minus some personal information). I promise to file something like this with her every time I go out into the ocean.
FLOAT PLAN for Split Decision
Complete this form before boating and leave it with a reliable person who can be depended upon to notify the Coast Guard or other rescue organization in case you do not return as scheduled. Do not try to file this form with the Coast Guard, they do not accept float plans. A word of caution: In case you are delayed, and it is not an emergency, inform those with your float plan, the police and/or Coast Guard of your delay in order to avoid an unnecessary search!
Person filing this plan
Name: Scott
Telephone:(Including area code) xxx-xxx-xxxx
Description of boat
Type: Catamaran Sailboat
Hull Color: White
Trim Color: Black and Red
State/Registration Number: MD xxxx xx
Length in feet: 30
Name: Split Decision
Make/Model/Year: Performance Cruising/Gemini/1983
Persons Onboard
Name Age Address Telephone
Scott xx 111 S. Any Street Baltimore, MD xxx-xxx-xxxx
Engines
Type: Outboard
Horse Power: 40
Number of engines: 1
Fuel Capacity in gals: 25
Survival Equipment (Check as Appropriate):
PFDs X Flares X Signal Mirror X Horn X Smoke Signals Flashlight X
Raft or Dinghy X EPIRB * Paddles X Food X Water X Anchor(s) X
* Frequency's: VHF-FM 15/16 121.5 MHZ 406 MHZ
Radio:
Type (Check as Appropriate) Marine VHF: X SSB: CB: Cell Phone: X
Frequencies/Channels used: 16,
Call sign/number: Split Decision
Trip expectations
Leaving from: St Augustine, FL
Going To: Cumberland Island, GA
Leaving(Date) 4/6/08
Leaving(Time) 10 AM
Return by(Date) 4/7/08
Return by(Time) 4 PM
But no later than(Date) 4/8/08
But no later than(Time) 12 PM
Other Pertinent Information:
Automobile
Make/Model/Year:
Color(s):
State/License Number:
Trailer State/License Number:
Where Parked:
If not returned by
Date 4/9/09
Time 12 PM
CALL
Coast Guard Tel # 305-415-6670
or Tel #
Created: Sat Apr 5, 2008 14:6:59 EDT
Courtesy, United States Power Squadrons®, Inc.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Float Plan: Part II
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7 comments:
Sails up. GPS on. Fishing gear deployed.
Scott,
Have a safe and fun voyage. We look forward to your next post with all the exciting details!
Rose
Float plan canceled. Strong thunderstorms coming. Heading back into St. A.
That's a nice float plan. I just happened to catch a shot of you up near the bow pushing off Split Decision from a the fuel dock at 9 a.m. today. At that time the nautig map still showed you at your anchorage spot so I assume that there is some sort of delay.
Just now (11:55) you're shown as being positioned just north of the St. A inlet and I assume about to head back.
Too bad about those thunderstorms - maybe tomorrow things will clear out.
That's really cool about finding a whale out there on your 3 day adventure.
I'm amazed that you're able to go so long without an autopilot, although as you said, Split Decision does well on her own. I thought I remembered somewhere in your blog 2 ~ 3 months ago that you'd done some special custom work on the autopilot and this is why I assumed that you had a workable one aboard.
I didn't realize the the winds were steady at 20 ~ 25 kts when you were going through the inlet w/o engine power. That's a lot of wind and could've really kicked up some nasty waves if the direction was contrary to the tide. I bet it felt quite good to get back into calmer waters.
Oh shucks - sorry about the t-storms. St. A just doesn't want to let you go!
Scott,
Good move. I think the mark of a good captain is one that knows when to turn around! Hopefully, tomorrow will be a better day.
Rose
Back in Salt Run. Looks like most of the thunderstorms are passing south presently, but there is more on the way.
Ross, most people have told me that an autopilot is pretty useless on the ICW. The channels are too narrow and require active steering. I've just started with the ocean thing and if Split Decision didn't steer itself so well, I'd probably be working on the autopilot right now. All it needs is a little computer programming.
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