Seaplane or Amphibian
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Sea
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 43; Flight Crew Total 10760; Flight Crew Type 3000
Time Pressure; Situational Awareness
Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors; Procedure; Weather
I taxied down river from my camp site to a stretch of the Alagnak River that provided me with a takeoff into the wind. There was moderate rain and the takeoff stretch of river appeared clear of obstructions. I applied power and got on the step and I determined that I needed to do a step turn to the right to accomplish the takeoff run. Suddenly I observed a fishing boat about 20 ft long in my takeoff path. I felt I could not abort the takeoff at that point without hitting the boat. I maneuvered to the left between the boat and the river bank. At that time I was on my right float with the left float out of the water. I maneuvered in this manner in a right turn between the boat and the bank and became airborne and continued downriver. I was positive I would touch or hit the bank but somehow avoided a crash and missed the boat. What caused the problem was restricted visibility for observance of obstructions on the river. In retrospect I should have taxied further down river for a longer takeoff area of river but with a crosswind.
Seaplane pilot reported taking evasive action to avoid a fishing boat during takeoff on a remote Alaskan river.