Log Entry, Magus, MacGregor/Venture 22

[HenryC]

12 Oct '85, South Bay

Magnificent afternoon sail with J Johnson and Varners as crew.  Heavy crowd of power boats arriving as we prepared to leave about 2 PM.  We couldn't get underway until the Harbor Patrol showed up to direct traffic.

The wind was up by the time we motored out and after a short sail under the main we tried the working jib.  This combination was manageable (20Kt winds) but the crew was green and getting in each other's way, so we secured the jib and sailed under full main only for about an hour; the usual run to Hunter's Point and back.  About 3PM we noted an aircract carrier up by Treasure Island and we headed north to investigate. 

Carrier was Carl Vinson, when we arrived she was hosing down her anchor chain and getting underway.   We kept her to stbd (her port) but she started to maneuver in our direction, squeezing us into the wind, since I couldn't tell how Vinson would turn,I took a chance, picked the best wind, and cut across her bow.  We passed about 200' from her, on a beam reach, with her heading straight at us.  We could not see her bridge windows...  My options were to either come about, and risk going into irons as she turned toward us, to run on a reach (as I did) and cross her bow, only to have her run us down if she turned left (I had no idea which way she was going), so the best bet seemed to be the course that offered me the most speed and freedom of options.  I considered making more sail or cranking up the engine, but felt that either operation, with a green crew, might create confusion, throw us into irons, and leave us helpless.  In retrospect, this may have not been the right decision; but as long as we were moving, I was afraid to risk any confusion on Magus that might stop us dead in the water.

Anyway, Vinson turned turned in her own length, behind us, and headed for Alameda.  We raised the jib and had a howling beam reach sail back to Hunter's Point  against a stiff ebb.  Motored on to dock at Oyster Point and secured by 6 PM.