Have you ever sailed down a narrow channel in a cross wind or current? It appears that you'll split that pair of markers ahead right down the middle.

And then your depth sounder drops to 8 feet, 6 feet, 4 feet... What happened, skipper? Better read on to learn a simple secret that will help you from running aground!

If this skipper glances astern, he or she will notice the red markers close to being in line. This indicates a cross wind or current (red arrows). Take action now!

While in the US Coast Guard, one duty was running a 65' tug that pushed a 90 foot barge ahead. We built daybeacons and light structures in rivers and waterways.

Our mission was to transit America's narrow Intracoastal Waterway. And that could be a heck of a challenge. In some parts of the channel, the markers were only 50-75 yards apart. And depths were just 10 feet to 12 feet in the center, with shallow shoals just outside.

Strong breezes or slippery current would often set across the channel. In the wink of an eye, you could be on the sand, mud, or oyster flats.

So, it was important to develop a skill that was quick, reliable, and required no chart or plotter. We called this skill "back bearings".

When you look ahead at the row of markers, it may appear that you're in the channel center. Note in the illustration that the person on the wheel has the bow pointed between the markers ahead. But--the boat slips to the side from a cross wind or current.

We all have a natural tendency to steer in the direction we are looking. And in this case, the person on the wheel has become locked onto those markers ahead. They are steering to keep the bow pointed between the markers ahead.

This creates an illusion. In reality, wind or current has swept the boat further and further to the right side of the channel. In no time flat, they will be out of the channel and in the mud. The fast solution?

Glance astern over your shoulder and take "back bearings". Those markers astern will tell you the real story. If the markers astern remain staggered, you're inside the channel. If the markers astern start to line up, you're on the edge of the channel and in danger of grounding!

Follow these three easy steps anytime you need to transit of a narrow channel under sail or power:

1. Make Maximum Use of the Room Available.

Keep your boat near the center of the channel for more room in channels with extreme narrow widths. Use this technique when no other vessels in sight (ahead or astern). If you sight another boat ahead or astern, maneuver to the right side of the channel. Move back toward the center when the other boat passes.

2. Steer to the "Marker Runway" Astern

Imagine you are a pilot descending for a landing. You have marker lights on each side of the runway. The marker lights on the right side are staggered about the same as the marker lights on the left side. That means you are centered. Use a similar technique when you transit a narrow channel.

Glance over your shoulder every minute. Look at the relative position of the markers on both sides of the "runway" astern. If you are in the center of the channel, keep the row of markers on the right and left side with about the same amount of stagger.

If you need to move over to the right, pay particular attention to those markers astern on the right side. Make sure they stay staggered. The closer they are to being lined up, the closer you are to the edge of the channel. Watch the depth sounder like a hawk and be ready to react. Go to step 3.

3. Recover When You Begin to Drift

Use rudder, engine, or sails to move in the opposite direction of set (the direction wind and current move a vessel) and keep inside the channel. Steer toward the wind or current direction and increase throttle speed to maintain your position in the channel.

On our tug, we often had to "crab" like this to keep inside the markers. For example, in the illustration you would want to steer to the left and increase throttle (speed) to stay inside the channel. Practice this aboard your own boat until it becomes second nature.

Take the center of channel again as soon as you are clear of traffic ahead and astern. Glance astern. You've regained center of channel when the line of markers astern on both sides are staggered by an equal amount. Continue this three-step sequence for each leg of the narrow channel.

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Use this secret from the pros to navigate your small cruising boat in a narrow waterway. You'll arrive at the yacht club bar on time without an unscheduled stop at the "Sand Bar"!

"Written so clearly that navigation and seamanship will be comprehensible to anyone."
-- Dave and Jaja Martin, circumnavigators, authors,
and stars of the documentary "Ice Blink"

"It should be read by anyone contemplating
coastal cruising or blue water voyages."
-- Ted Brewer, world famous yacht designer

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