I have a favor to ask of the professional mariners here. I have this photo of the MV Steve Irwin and I am curious as to some of the equipment on it. I have been watching for an LRAD devie to go up, the also say they put a powerful water cannon on the bow, both of which I do not yet see.
Please tell me what the circled items are and anything else interesting about it. Thank you. ALSO teh Object Obscewed by the number TWO 2
1 and 2: Radar scanners. The obscured object is a Satellite antenna dome.
3 looks like an HVAC unit but I don’t think that’s what it is.
4 are a couple of inflatable liferaft cannisters
Is there a reason for two radar scanners? I’m aland lover in a landlocked State so I have ZERO maritime knowledge
I bet you those lift rafts are expired or even empty
and what is that little symbol near the waterline?
The two radars use different frequencies, 3 cm and 10 cm. Because of the different size of the wavelengths they behave differently in differently depending on circumstanses such as proximaty to land or rain. The symbol near the waterline is there to let everyone know that they have a bow thruster.
I am not sure they have both 3cm and 10 cm radars. I see only one good radar antenna.
In case they have one radar - it shoul be x-band, 3 cm. Reason: much better for closer objects (like ice), and will read SART if one is started in vicinity. Considering what they are doing I would always carry a SART in their dingies. (To call mama for help after a jap hits them with something…)
Next - there is no plimsol mark on the w-line. This obvioulsly means they are not registered as ship. The vsl is registered as a yacht. And in regard to the above - no obligation to carry 2 radars, or additional 10cm (s band)
Large thing on deck: tricky. Could be lrad, could be some generator unit, but i wouldn’t be surpised to be an air-con external unit. I see no 4th option.
Search lights: covered with canvas / or tarpaulin. I saw the same on their movies. Opposite to recommended safe practise. If they need them in emergency… Lousy seamanship, is the point at every step.
[QUOTE=MikeE1849;20811]
and what is that little symbol near the waterline?[/QUOTE]
If you are referring to the little propeller symbol forward, that shows the location of the vessel’s bow thruster. It’s a tube running through the hull that has a propeller in the middle to help move the bow during docking procedures.
And again, it must be emphasized that the crew of the vessel probably has no idea how to use most of the equipment they have.
For a someone ragging about a supposed lack of seamanship and nautical knowledge on the part of the Steve Irwin crew, how about showing some of your own …
The Steve Irwin is registered as a fisheries support vessel. As such it falls under the regulations covering fishing vessels, one of which is an exclusion from the International Convention on Load Lines.
I’d love to at least put a nice big slash in those RIBs right before they head out. Maybe go on board for a 'tour" and put razor blades on the racks that they rest on