Halifax Class vs Iroquois Class in rough seas

[S McPhee]

Just wanted to get some feedback from those experienced sailors out there about the differences between the Halifax Class vs Iroquois Class in rough seas?  I've heard the Iroquois Class seems more "top heavy" and seems to roll more?

 

[jollyjacktar]

Yes the 280's are more top heavy and do tend to have heavy slow rolls from side to side.  The CPF's in the other hand like to bounce up and down.  But I am told they are nothing compaired to MCDVs with have the sailing characteristics of a cork.  The Tankers on the other hand generally are pretty heavy and tend to ride the quitest of the three.

 

[Heatwave]

No doubt that the ship movement affects everyone differently (and a lucky few, not at all).  The difference to myself was quite notable.  I was posted on a CPF, and was in a prolonged "Fishpats" that got up to a sea-state 8.  I was able to work, albeit with a bit of an uncomfortable feeling.  However, I was doing "Salty Dips" on a 280 and it only got up to Sea-state 5.......in which case I was sent to my rack as I was nothing but ballast at the time.  There is a definite difference and I believe each type will take some getting used to. 

Chimo!

 

[Navalsnpr]

As the 280's are considered top heavy, there is a distinct difference between the two ships in high seas. I've been in sea state 5 (Beaufort # 6) on a 280 and in Sea state 9 (Beaufort # 12) on a CPF. I can say that the movement of a 280's appears slower than a CPF as it is a larger mass to move (approx 400 tonnes), however due to the fact that a 280 has a larger side profile, that profile acts as a sail and wind tends to effect it easier than a CPF.

I guess the best ride would be the tanker... she sits low and rides comfortably. The worst ride would be a MCDV, usually compared to a cork in the water..

 

[navymich]

The worst ride would be a MCDV, usually compared to a cork in the water..

I concur with that one!  I've had people on the heavies tell me that they just shake their heads when they sail with us and wonder how we are staying upright.  Not fun at all.

http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/community/mapleleaf/index_e.asp?newsID=2328&id=4647&cat=4&volID=1&issID=21&newsType=1

*edited to add link to article on MCDV "slamming effect"

 

[BEEFY06]

As the 280's are considered top heavy, there is a distinct difference between the two ships in high seas. I've been in sea state 5 (Beaufort # 6) on a 280 and in Sea state 9 (Beaufort # 12) on a CPF. I can say that the movement of a 280's appears slower than a CPF as it is a larger mass to move (approx 400 tonnes), however due to the fact that a 280 has a larger side profile, that profile acts as a sail and wind tends to effect it easier than a CPF.
I guess the best ride would be the tanker... she sits low and rides comfortably. The worst ride would be a MCDV, usually compared to a cork in the water..

Navalsnipr is totally right about the 280's, plus it doesn't help that a 280's rudder is way bigger then that of a CPF...Hence it been so slooooowwww to adjust to sea state....

 

[SoF]

I appologize if this is a stupid question; how likely are you to hurl on your first time on a ship, especialy the mcdv.

 

[FSTO]

I have never been sea-sick (except on a PB (HMCS CHIGNECTO) after run ashore) and I firmly beleive that it is all in your head (care to flame me now!).
My advice to you is don't worry about it, if it happens it happens.

I remember a Phase IV CSE in 91. We were on YUKON and leaving for the south pacific. The last line wasn't even inboard and he was in his rack sick. Next time any of us saw him was when he was carried off the ship in Tahiti to be sent home. He was only about 120 lbs when he came on, there wasn't much left of him when he left.

 

[navymich]

I appologize if this is a stupid question; how likely are you to hurl on your first time on a ship, especialy the mcdv.

East coast?  From what I hear, most likely, but don't quote me on that, I am only going by what I have been told.  West coast? Depends on the weather.

But like FSTO said, don't worry about it.  It happens to most people at some point.  You will probably feel weird the first time you go to sea, just because it is so different.  And if some nasty weather is going to hit, well, that's what you have a Navigator for.  He is looking at the weather usually 36 hours in advance, so you are given a heads-up and can take what meds you need.  Don't be embarassed if you get sick, although the old hands will give you a hard time  ;D.  You will eventually figure out what will help you get through it.  Above all else, keep the fluids in you (water or gatorade or such), and keep eating, even if it is only toast or crackers.

 

[BEEFY06]

I have never been sea-sick (except on a PB (HMCS CHIGNECTO) after run ashore) and I firmly believe that it is all in your head (care to flame me now!).
My advice to you is don't worry about it, if it happens it happens.

I also agree with what FSTO says. You got to remember that if it works for one person it may not work for you. Everyone has there own "ways" of dealling with it, personally I'm one of those lucky guys that don't get "sea sick"(knock on wood) so i cant really write on a subject that i have no experience on. But i will say good luck with your adventures.....

 

[Torlyn]

I haven't as of yet spent much time on our big boats, but I've done a pile of sailing...  Aside from being insanely jealous from those buggers who don't get sea sick ( :nana: ) just be ready for it.  (ie don't wait until you're chucking up on the bridge sans bag before you say anything) I've barfed up my fair share of toenails in Jan de Fuca and on the west side of the island.  You just grin and bear it.  And by all means, do NOT be leaning over the sailboat, windward side, stern.  I can guarantee the skipper will NOT be happy with what you send him.    Good luck!

T

 

[Sub_Guy]

:skull:    The best ride is a deep one!    :skull:

I caught a hint of west coast sailing vs east coast sailing conditions in a previous post.  I have sailed on all classes of ships (sadly no MCDV time).
Rough weather is rough weather, all ships move, I remember leaving Pearl on the Protecteur and having the upper decks out of bounds for 2 days, it was really wicked out there and the ship was really rockin!
I also recall heading to an area off norway on the Iroquois because a Norwegian submarine had failed to check in, that was an amazing go waves were easily breaking over the bridge, we ended up breaking some gear and got 2 weeks in Plymouth!

I have seen people get seasick going to Rosefest (on a river)  

Personally I also beleive it is all in your head, I have never been seasick, and I enjoy the rough weather when I am awake, but if it is too rough and you are trying to sleep it is a pain in the ass, not to mention getting thrown around in the shower that sucks too!  Working on the bridge when it is rough compares to an amusement ride (ok its not wonderland, but it is fun)

 

[jollyjacktar]

SoF, if you are going to sea you might experience sea sickness.  Some guys do, some badly and some don't feel a thing.  They have good medicine nowadays including a Gravol patch which seem to work well for those who need it.  If you are given some by the Doc for use, do make use of it before you leave the jetty.  I was given pills before my first trip and was told to take it if I felt the need.  Unfortunately I did not take it until I was sick and by then nothing but nothing was staying in my stomach long enough to do any good.  Thankfully that only lasted for the first day and a half out and has not been a problem for me since.  It was however an experience I don't wish to have again.  Shooting me would have been a mercy.  Hopefully you will have a good trip when the time comes.  Good Luck!!

 

[Navy_Blue]

I know guys who in all seriousness cannot cross the brow without his vision going blurry and feeling week (re muster chronic sea sick).  Some people can't sail at all.  Personally I get sick once, go to my rack wake up and my body has normally adjusted.  But if I get some real up and down action I don't go past frame 22 and find it most comfortable back aft on the CPF.  I can take side to side but up and down is not cool for me.   :-X

 

[x-grunt]

Personally I also beleive it is all in your head, I have never been seasick,

Ha! That brings back memories. Like you, when younger I never got sick at all. (I was in Algonquin and Assiniboine.)  I was a smug SOB when guys went green and hurled all over the place. I was cocky and proud of my stout constitution. After several years on the hard, I started rec sailing. Surprise! I get all woozy and weird feeling now if it's bouncy out there. If I'm out for a few days then I can adjust. I still don't puke, but I get to the point I think I might. Nasty feeling.
I've learned you can stress yourself out and feel worse, and you can do some things to minimize the effect but if your prone you can't really prevent it.

Maybe If I was back on a heavy I'd be fine, but in a small craft I have to hang my head and humbly admit I get the "mal de mer". God help me if I ever end up on an MCDV...

 

[navymich]

God help me if I ever end up on an MCDV...

I see by your profile that you are a MARS applicant.  Stand by for MCDV's then for your MARS IV training.  Best bet?  Get used to working with gravol-induced medicine head.  Unfortunately, there is hardly any downtime for the students onboard, especially if they are sick.

 

[Navalsnpr]

Although there are those who are diagnosed as “Chronic-Sea Sick”, some others do get sick depending on the current sea situation.  I, as I knock on wood, have never been sea sick in my life and normally I eat more as the Beauford scale increases. As for the rest of you who aren’t Chronic and don’t fall into the never get sick, there are two important personnel onboard, they are the weather-witch and the doc. The weather-witch will be able to get you enough warning so that you can see the doc and get your Bonine®, or whatever they are issuing these days. If you don’t get the meds into your system well in advance 8-12 hours, then you will of course become sick and I'm sorry to say that it was probably 99% preventable.

It is sooooo funny to see the line ups in front of sick bay after people have hurled, when it could have been prevented by seeing him 12 hours prior…

 

[Inch]

I'm one of the ones that doesn't get sea sick. Though I have yet to see any really good sea state on a 280 (most we got last month was 3 degrees pitch and 8 degrees roll), I really didn't notice a difference below decks with how the ship felt. The only thing I really noticed was the constant list the ship had with a good strong wind.

On the other hand, my navigator threw up and the other co-pilot was green for the first 3 days (at anchor!).  ;D

 

[Messmom]

Best ride is the tanker full of fuel and stores ( different story almost empty of fuel, sea state 6, phase 5 of work ups and smoke pots billowing away ), but I do like the ride of the CPF, handy for getting to sleep 

Now all the Nav archs have to do is to remember to put the bunks athwart ship instead of stem to stern. Too damned easy to come flying out of your cart on a good roll.  ;D

 

[Naval Boarding Party]

This one time we were leaving Newfie John. It was blowing a gale. (The sea was angry that day my friends). When we popped out of the harbour, we heaved over to Stbd and stayed that way until we reached the banks. A good steady, sustained 30 - 40 degrees.

The Tribals are taller and have a little more of a profile to catch the wind on the beam. CPF's don't have as much as a profile and are lighter. Though, I don't ever recall a CPF heaved over like the Tribals.

MCDV...don't know and don't care. Thought the topic was Halifax Class vs Iroquois Class in rough seas.

Cheers