70' Hatteras Aground...

I do the North-South Delivery at least once a year and have done the ICW many times. A Captain that should be experienced enough to run a 75' Hatteras shouldn't make a mistake like that and be hard aground. Also with today's chartplotting technology, it shouldn't happen.

Bummer. I grew up around there and can confirm it's not that hard to do. Of course when I grew up a chart was a little plastic thing you used on a paper chart.

Can you be more specifc about where he was? Maybe Google Earth coordinates? I'm sure I've been there.

GPS is very accurate these days. The charts used are not always so. Every plotter I've used has shown my track across dry land at one place or another while I was in good water. That's why I don't run at night unless I'm familiar with the area or it's well marked area. I've run Georgia several times and never had a problem. Then, last year I came through at low tide. Who pulled the plug? Made it through but don't lose concentration for a moment, even while the flies are sucking the last bit of blood from your body. These things happen, embarrassing, but they happen. Hopefully he'll be able to float off with little damage.

I know what you mean, but that advice could get people into trouble unless they float that sounder ahead somewhere. Also muddy water only affects clarity not texture which is more telling of bottom changes. It should also be noted at what speed you travel. It's a bit different at 20+ kts.

The Hull by The stabilizer....

Its the hull cracked or is that just water? Look at it closely. Doesn't look right.

Hatteras aground

What is the likely condition of the port side stabilizer? The surface looks more like sand than mud.

Thanks. That's where I thought it was but I wasn't sure with the little bit visible past the stern. Well, that and it's been over 30 years since my parents and I lived on a boat in Harbor Town for six months. We had a 13' Boston Whaler and an 18' Wellcraft so I spent a good bit of time on the water around there.

Do you remember the triple fatality off long Island with the 40' Hustler running aground last October?

That was pure operator stupidity. That area actually shows up well on most plotters I've used. Three local areas that come to mind are the entrance to 3 Mile Harbor, the Quogue canal and Consience Point. Luckily, three spots where you rarely have to count on charts.