A Mayday, really?

Triassic said:
...They seem to think it is not our place to question or challenge the use of this valuable resource because if the CG or even the LB themselves thought it necessary then it is above reproach.
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I would say the CG or LB themselves are exactly the people to decide whether it is necessary - I certainly wouldn't want it left to some pontificating leisure boaters who's only knowledge of the incident is a few lines in a news item...
 
l'escargot said:
I would say the CG or LB themselves are exactly the people to decide whether it is necessary - I certainly wouldn't want it left to some pontificating leisure boaters who's only knowledge of the incident is a few lines in a news item...
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Excellent, I knew we would get there in the end. Why is it we employ people based on their background and skills to do a difficult job and make decisions, but as soon as they either make a decision that we don't agree with, or even on occasion the odd mistake, we condemn them, demand huge sums in compensation and effectively try to end their career?

This attitude of society has resulted in huge changes amongst all of our emergency services who now adopt an ar5e covering approach to all problems because they have to make sure they cannot be held responsible for any adverse outcome, however slight the possibility. My issue is not with the actual decision made in this case, it is with the attitude of society, well evidenced on here, that actually prevents organisations from making decisions.

So if in circumstances such as this thread the CG had told the yacht involved they could either drop their anchor and wait for wind or a favourable tide, or that they would be delighted to call a commercial tow company for them, would you be as willing to support their decision?
 
Triassic said:
...So if in circumstances such as this thread the CG had told the yacht involved they could either drop their anchor and wait for wind or a favourable tide, or that they would be delighted to call a commercial tow company for them, would you be as willing to support their decision?
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Got where? We haven't got anywhere different. I have never thought otherwise but they didn't did tell them that did they? You're one of the ones condemning their decision and saying they should've done it differently.

So they obviously appraised the situation and decided on the necessary/appropriate course of action (which in this incident was to tow the boat in) without any reference to any uninformed pontificating leisure sailors - and long may that situation last...;)
 
Triassic said:
Excellent, I knew we would get there in the end. Why is it we employ people based on their background and skills to do a difficult job and make decisions, but as soon as they either make a decision that we don't agree with, or even on occasion the odd mistake, we condemn them, demand huge sums in compensation and effectively try to end their career?

This attitude of society has resulted in huge changes amongst all of our emergency services who now adopt an ar5e covering approach to all problems because they have to make sure they cannot be held responsible for any adverse outcome, however slight the possibility. My issue is not with the actual decision made in this case, it is with the attitude of society, well evidenced on here, that actually prevents organisations from making decisions.

So if in circumstances such as this thread the CG had told the yacht involved they could either drop their anchor and wait for wind or a favourable tide, or that they would be delighted to call a commercial tow company for them, would you be as willing to support their decision?
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So, if these skilled & experienced people, had given that advice, based upon their knowledge of the weather/tides/holding ground, what would be the issue?
 
alant said:
So, if these skilled & experienced people, had given that advice, based upon their knowledge of the weather/tides/holding ground, what would be the issue?
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HMCG has never given such advice. I have, many times in the past, suggested options to casualty vessels, but it is always with the caveat that the end decision is the skipper's, and that they should not attempt to do what they feel is beyond the range of their ability or circumstances.

HMCG's role is to coordinate maritime search and rescue, not to remotely give navigational instruction.

One of HMCG's problems is that a lot of the skilled and experienced people have gone, especially from the Fareham NMOC compared to the time the area was run by Solent, Portland and Brixham.
 
chanelyacht said:
HMCG's role is to coordinate maritime search and rescue, not to remotely give navigational instruction.
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And that's the way it should be ...

perhaps the RYA could provide an experienced Dayskipper instructor on a different VHF channel who can then "instruct" the skipper - as it seems the many of these Mayday calls (in the Solent at least) are made by those without the experience to deal with seemingly fairly straight foward issues.

From the Outboard as backup engine on your yacht thread - (paraphrased) "I'm fitting an outboard as a backup engine because if you're using your main engine it's because sailing isn't an option and if that goes wrong there are no options, so a backup engine will get me back so I don't miss work the next day"

Time constraints are a huge consideration for many skippers (me included) - and for many, the thought of being "stuck" at anchor or adrift is unbearable, so the call for help goes up ...
 
fireball said:
perhaps the RYA could provide an experienced Dayskipper instructor on a different VHF channel who can then "instruct" the skipper - as it seems the many of these Mayday calls (in the Solent at least) are made by those without the experience to deal with seemingly fairly straight foward issues.
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Brilliant post.

Where's my popcorn? :encouragement:

Richard
 
Camelia said:
I know and have to do both otherwise a lot of people die! The user interface stuff is fascinating!
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It is ... fascinating and exasperating at the same time ...

Look at car drivers - new cars often come with Daytime running lights - LEDs that "make the car more visable" ... for some reason a lot of drivers without these think that putting on the front fog lights has the same effect ... without thinking that perhaps their foglights are dazzling the oncoming traffic and are doing nothing to improve road safety - sometimes the exact opposite because other drivers are now not noticing those without lights on ... it's become a race to be the one with the brightest lights, whereas if we all turned them off then we'd stand more chance of seeing the dangers on the road.
 
fireball said:
It is ... fascinating and exasperating at the same time ...

Look at car drivers - new cars often come with Daytime running lights - LEDs that "make the car more visable" ... for some reason a lot of drivers without these think that putting on the front fog lights has the same effect ... without thinking that perhaps their foglights are dazzling the oncoming traffic and are doing nothing to improve road safety - sometimes the exact opposite because other drivers are now not noticing those without lights on ... it's become a race to be the one with the brightest lights, whereas if we all turned them off then we'd stand more chance of seeing the dangers on the road.
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And I thought that the main purpose of daytime LEDs was to show that the driver owned a modern car!
 
Well,the spring edition of Lifeboat has some points to make...and after all,that is from the RNLI...I ll let folk read it themselves...
 
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