Chez Teamvideo
We almost ran aground because we trusted the autopilot and saved it at the last second | Ep 88 - Che...
18 December 2025 · 24 min · 28K views · Gunnison County, United States
Sailboat glides through Alligator-Pungo Canal under clear sky
What this video covers
Navigating the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) from Norfolk, Virginia, requires precise timing of bridge clearances and constant vigilance against shallow water and submerged hazards. The crew of a sailing vessel, measuring 65 feet to the top of its mast, manages multiple fixed bridges with minimal clearance, often relying on low-tide windows to ensure the antenna clears the structure.5:55 During the transit, the crew encounters numerous submerged logs and shallow sections outside the marked channel, necessitating continuous monitoring of the chart plotter.7:13 A near-grounding occurs when the autopilot, set to maintain a compass heading rather than follow the programmed route, fails to execute a turn in a narrow channel; the vessel reaches water depths of only 1.5 feet before the crew intervenes.17:11 The transit involves coordinating bridge openings via VHF radio and navigating alongside commercial traffic and other cruisers.3:52 The crew notes that the geography of the ICW, particularly in sections resembling the Delta del Tigre in Argentina, demands total focus, as even a momentary distraction can lead to grounding or collision.19:04
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