Hey Larry,

Wireless remote controllers are becoming increasingly commonplace on many larger motoryachts, the sightlines from the helmstation on some of the boats I run is so poor that they're almost necessary for close-quarter maneuvering, especially when backing down into a slip... I've never had the balls to use one of these, they scare the shit out of me. The closest call I've ever had in the delivery business involved the failure of an engine control, resulting in an engine being stuck in gear, I think it's crazy to leave the helm... But it's become very common, and many owners/captains are obviously into the "coolness factor" of strolling around their decks with one of these controllers in their hands as they come alongside...

Pete Linwick was helping a friend who is a captain aboard a 70' motoryacht bring it back to Palm Beach from Ocean Reef this winter... As they were getting ready to depart the slip, engines idling, the captain simply PICKED UP the remote control, and immediately one engine kicked into reverse... In an instant, thousands of dollars worth of damage to the dock, swim platform, and transom - not to mention, a MAJOR embarrassment factor for all involved... (grin)

I was shocked to see an article by an old-school guy like Tom Cunliffe in one of the British sailing rags this winter, where he was touting the use of a remote control of bow thrusters for a wind blowing off the dock docking situation... he was actually suggesting that such a maneuver be performed singlehanded by simply fixing a stern line first, then walking forward on the dock, and using the remote control to bring the bow alongside against the breeze, enabling him to grab the bow line then... LMAO! Yeah, there's only about a dozen things that can go wrong in that sort of scenario, people are going nuts with this sort of crap... (grin)

best regards,

Jon