URBANCZYK
The great Urbanczyk.
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Everybody know Russian Roulette, very social and enjoyable game. This amazing toy was invented in old time Russia in Tsars period when tired and frustrated military persons, wasting their lives at the peripheries of the endless imperium, desperately wanted a little bit of excitement. Today it’s all different. Last time in Russia, visiting famous Sochi (fantastic Black Sea beaches,) I asked about old game, sure to hear some interesting stories. “Niet, niet” said sexy Dhnya, my companion and guide, sitting on the gold sand shore and 'drinking “Sovietskoe Schampeinskoye” (“Lemonade first class.) “Niet, niet” said Dunya “niet Russian Roulette. We citizens in socialist country do not accept gambling, so you can’t play roulette here.” As you can see, Dunya even doesn’t know what Russian Roulette means. Such times . . . “Russian Roulette” said somebody, “is sensible game, but only when played with 3 bullets.” Is it not cute friends? Unfortunately, we sailors are also playing Russian Roulette. Yes, I am thinking about sailing in fog, the fog which is almost permanent in this area. The fog so dense that it can be cut with knife. The fog so famous that it is cann¬ ed and sent all over the world. All “Pilots” and “Sailing Instructions” give warning about California fog. For example, one of our most favorite books, “Ocean Passages for the World” (Second Edition 1950, London) on
The Pacific view from Montara Point. l /
page 312 says: “Clear the coast as soon as possible. Especial from June to December to sail out from possibility of dense, danger¬ ous, fog very often in this area.” Or , “Clear the coast as soon as possi¬ ble. From June to December.” Nice . . . Ships have radar, but radar is not a miracle device able to solve every navigation problem. In his worldfamous book “An Agony of Collisions,” Peter Padfield, merchant Navy officer who spent his life at the sea, gives a sim¬ ple proof that nothing is more careless than conviction that a radar equipped ship is safe during limited visibility. Believe it or not but in last year — regardless of radar, Loran, Decca, echo-sounds, etc. etc. — according to Lloyd report, 129 ships sunk, 112 were destroyed, 57 burned, 30 damaged heavily. Total lost — 334 ships! How many boats and how many sailors were lost? Nobody know. Who, except families, is counting them? What do we do to avoid collision in¬ fog? Mostly we blow the horn — know¬ ing very good that the ship can’t hear us. We hang radar reflectors, knowing it can’t help too'much. We pray . . . I think that the best way to discuss radar reflector is to discuss with mer¬ chant Navy captains as I did. Talking with at least 10 captains of big ships, 50.000 DWT average, I was informed what we can put together as the follow¬ ing statement:
