Safe at Sea: Part II: Seeing at sea
Last week’s Safe at Sea discussed the importance of “sea sight,” and the column itself ended with visualizing techniques to improve one’s ability to see far while at sea. As the title indicates, this week’s column is an additional discussion of “seeing at sea,” but it discusses how light influences what we see at sea.
Naturally, seeing a small target is far easier when it is well lit. Thus, such objects are more apparent mid-day than at dawn or dusk. However, between those two times of day, there is a great deal of variation in lighting: when the sun is behind you, you can see quite well. However, objects that are “up sun” and not silhouetted have very little contrast with their background and, thus, are hard(er) to see.
Last week’s column explained a visual technique that is best summarized by searching point by point for distant objects. The same technique does not work well, however, for objects nearby. In fact, you use nearly the opposite technique when looking for something nearby: If you concentrate on one spot, you will miss all the other spots. So you have to look at a general area, using your peripheral vision as much as possible. Peripheral vision, while not good for seeing small objects, is excellent for seeing motion.
Naturally, it also helps to know what to look for. An example: a shadow underwater tells volume to the sport fisherman. A mere glimpse of fin can tell species, activity and — if you are lucky — predicts a strike.
It is remarkable how much there is to see, if you just know how to look. Anyone can see the fish, but the expert needs only to glance to tell one species from another. Again, practicing “sea sight” is the key to opening your eyes to the sea world surrounding you.
All of this discussion brings us to a brief mention of sunglasses.
– They are important to anyone who goes to sea. They make it possible to see things which are otherwise hidden by glare, and make it easier to see things with low contrast. Even more important, though, is that your night vision will be impaired if you have spent the day at sea with no sunglasses.
– High optical quality is critical. Good sunglasses, be they plastic lenses or glass lenses, are precisely made and they are not cheap.
– If you need corrective lenses, even for a slight correction, get them; wear them. At sea, this is particularly important.
– Sunglasses should be dark. They need to be able to filter considerable light.
– Polarized lenses are particularly effective, especially if you are looking directly at the water. (They are almost a necessity if you are fishing the flats.)
– Keep the lenses large — allowing less bright light in at the sides. As you try sunglasses on, check the frames for how they affect your peripheral vision.
– Finally, purchase sunglasses that are comfortable. You are far more likely to wear comfortable gasses constantly while at sea; therefore, you are more likely to save your eyesight.
Pat Schmidt is a member of America’s Boating Club of Sanibel-Captiva. For more about the chapter and its courses, visit www.sancapboating.club or contact education@sanibelcaptivasps.org or 612-987-2125.