The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a space-based satellite navigation system that provides location and time information in all weather conditions, anywhere on or near the Earth where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites. The system provides critical capabilities to the military, civil and commercial users around the world. It is maintained by the United States government and is freely accessible to anyone with a GPS receiver.
I have always contended that GPS, really just means girl pointing and shouting. Hey it works great in aircraft, but can give us fits down here in the real world.
I have friends who think it is the greatest invention of all time. They won't leave home to drive across town without checking the GPS on their car, or smart phone. More power to them, but give me a map, or nautical chart any day. Add a wet compass and I can get you pretty much any where you want to go. I have had GPS direct me to an obsolete stage coach road, that a mule could barley traverse in the mountains, and once in San Diego in a rental van, I witnessed the driver drive around a city block three times, because a female voice from the GPS kept saying left turn now. At least it was a pleasant voice pointing and shouting.
In regards to the modern fisherman, GPS works great for fast marking of good fishing spots, so that you can get back to them. Now, for the cautionary side, what it will not do for you is let you know when channels change, sand bars shift, or tides change. Always remember it is a point to point system.
Why oh Captain, are you providing this Saturday morning review of your history with GPS you ask? Well as some of you know the month of July has presented it's share of challenges on the water. Heat, storms, runaway tubes on mountain rivers, and the story does not end there.
On Friday, we set out on a beautiful summer morning, in hopes of filling the fish box and beating the afternoon summer squalls. All was going splendidly well, right up until the decision was reached to change location, the tide was dropping and off we motored to a low tide fishing spot, where we had had good luck in the past. Ah, a leisurely ride a cold drink and good conversation, following the GPS track on the screen, what could go wrong, done this thousands of times. This was right up to the point where entering a smaller tributary, our GPS track carried us right up a sand bar and after a hard sudden stop, and the re-decorating of the bow of the boat with sun warmed bait shrimp, we find our selves in a situation akin to the one Noah found himself when he parked the Ark on top of Mount Ararat. High and dry, with a tide still dropping and storm clouds gathering.
No amount of pushing, pulling, digging, or crying helped. Nothing at this point but to sit it out and wait for the water to rise. Moral to be added here, sometimes obstacles are placed before us to remind us that we are not in charge and just need to slow down. Not always a lesson we want. We had other boater sail by while looking at us as if to say, look at those two dummies run aground, never once did they offer assistance, most likely because they knew we just needed to wait on the tide to rise. The tide did rise and we were freed from our perch in the river, and even beat the major rain back to the ramp.
Another memorable trip out on the water, and other than a little extra soreness, no worse for the wear of the grounding. Our lesson again slow down and smell the roses, or in our case the bait shrimp, and never trust a Girl Pointing and Shouting,
Old Capt Sends.
No comments:
Post a Comment