Anyone know who this was?

Allan

Allan

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BBC points west has just showed a home video of the Balmoral coming into Watchet harbour. As it was just about to enter the harbour a yacht left the marina and went straight across it's bow. Luckily both vessels held their course and they did not come into contact.

Video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Frc2_o5atV8

Allan
 
Wasnt me but in any case it's difficult to judge the distance apart from that perspective. I doubt the yottie would have seen the Balmoral until it was one of those "oh, sh*t!" moments.

What do you do then? I suppose the alternatives are what he did or a smaret about turn and lurk by the wall seperating the marina from the harbour. Even then would you get in the way of the Balmoral turning?
 
wotayottie said:
Wasnt me but in any case it's difficult to judge the distance apart from that perspective. I doubt the yottie would have seen the Balmoral until it was one of those "oh, sh*t!" moments.

What do you do then? I suppose the alternatives are what he did or a smaret about turn and lurk by the wall seperating the marina from the harbour. Even then would you get in the way of the Balmoral turning?
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Here's a very good example of why AIS is VERY useful, even though you think it's just a toy ;) Radar wouldn't have picked up the Balmoral from behind the wall ........... AIS would have complete with COG, SOG vessel name etc. etc.
 
Blue_Pearl said:
Here's a very good example of why AIS is VERY useful, even though you think it's just a toy ;) Radar wouldn't have picked up the Balmoral from behind the wall ........... AIS would have complete with COG, SOG vessel name etc. etc.
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I think a pair of glasses would be more in order to see the red light at the exit , its not as if anybody is looking at their instruments at such close proximity to dozens of boats.

But on the red light point, the information comes from the man taking the video not from any observation by myself :)

PS I am not being derogatory about AIS as I would use it if I could afford it.
 
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quite a few people who have boats at Watchet have said that the lights had been switched to double reds and they were broadcasting on 80, and the lights were red even before the boat had untied and left the pontoon!
 
Madhatter said:
But on the red light point, the information comes from the man taking the video not from any observation by myself :)
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And the man making the comment is on the outside where he would see the red light stopping anyone going into the marina not out of it.

Are there any lights at the entrance to the harbour itself - I can't remember. If not then the yottie could only have known the Balmoral was coming in if the latter gave sound signals. There is one at the beginning of the clip but that is far too late.

What should have happened, and might well have done ( we don't know) is that the captain of the balmoral should have radiod the marina who should have put the marina exit lights on red.
 
wotayottie said:
And the man making the comment is on the outside where he would see the red light stopping anyone going into the marina not out of it.

Are there any lights at the entrance to the harbour itself - I can't remember. If not then the yottie could only have known the Balmoral was coming in if the latter gave sound signals. There is one at the beginning of the clip but that is far too late.

What should have happened, and might well have done ( we don't know) is that the captain of the balmoral should have radiod the marina who should have put the marina exit lights on red.
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Common practice is the lights go double red when Balmoral enters.

It is interesting to note the yacht took no action to avoid Balmoral . . .
 
wotayottie said:
And the man making the comment is on the outside where he would see the red light stopping anyone going into the marina not out of it.

Are there any lights at the entrance to the harbour itself - I can't remember. If not then the yottie could only have known the Balmoral was coming in if the latter gave sound signals. There is one at the beginning of the clip but that is far too late.

What should have happened, and might well have done ( we don't know) is that the captain of the balmoral should have radiod the marina who should have put the marina exit lights on red.
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All lights were on double red for a period before Balmoral arrived, and even, I understand, before the yacht left it's berth.

The marina had been broadcasting on vhf 80 as I understand, and tried to raise the yacht when they saw movement. Indeed another yachtie mentioned lots of people shouting at the yacht.

Food for thought....
 
We were about a mile outside when it happened, on our way in to Watchet. I was told of the incident by one of the marina staff:
lights on double red
very close
now an MAIB investigation

Apart from the small matter of the red light, the yottie should have seen the Balmoral coming. She sticks up way above the harbour wall and we could see her from our berth while she was still outside, when she came back a second time.

The short blast on the horn seems to have been more a panic reaction from the Balmoral's bridge than any ColRegs signal. Three blasts for "My engines are astern" might have been appropriate but not particularly helpful (judging from the water, she appears to have thrown it into reverse). Five blasts for "WTFAYD" would certainly have been appropriate and might just have had enough sense of urgency to persuade the yacht to turn away.

Although my experience of Watchet is very limited, general consensus would seem to suggest that going astern and losing way is not what you want when entering the outer harbour.
 
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trapezeartist said:
We were about a mile outside when it happened, on our way in to Watchet. I was told of the incident by one of the marina staff:
lights on double red
very close
now an MAIB investigation

Apart from the small matter of the red light, the yottie should have seen the Balmoral coming. She sticks up way above the harbour wall and we could see her from our berth while she was still outside, when she came back a second time.

The short blast on the horn seems to have been more a panic reaction from the Balmoral's bridge than any ColRegs signal. Three blasts for "My engines are astern" might have been appropriate but not particularly helpful (judging from the water, she appears to have thrown it into reverse). Five blasts for "WTFAYD" would certainly have been appropriate and might just have had enough sense of urgency to persuade the yacht to turn away.

Although my experience of Watchet is very limited, general consensus would seem to suggest that going astern and losing way is not what you want when entering the outer harbour.
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Where did you hear this was in the hands of the MAIB? To me its not an accident more of an incident? It surprises me they have taken an interest, these matters are usually left to the Competent Harbour Authority to deal with unless there is an 'accident'. The Harbours Byelaws usually cover such incidents.

For Balmoral's Master sounding 5 would have made little of no difference, his best action at that momment was to stay 'on the sticks'. From experiance sounding 5 doesn't always make a difference either . . .

Its the yachts actions that really surprise me. Sooner or later compulsory qualifications need to be looked at in my view . .
 
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I didn't know about the lights being turned to double red and chose to ignore the mention on youtube. Even if it had not been something as large as the Balmoral it would have been dangerous. The normal lights change automaticaly so I always go on green and then try to turn into the harbour to make sure the entrance is clear before I exit. If it is lumpy outside I sort my ropes and fenders before leaving, I have in past put my mainsail up too. As someone has said already, MUPPET! I think the Balmoral captain may have seen the mast and reacted before the yacht even saw him.
Allan
 
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channel said:
Where did you hear this was in the hands of the MAIB? To me its not an accident more of an incident? It surprises me they have taken an interest, these matters are usually left to the Competent Harbour Authority to deal with unless there is an 'accident'. The Harbours Byelaws usually cover such incidents.

For Balmoral's Master sounding 5 would have made little of no difference, his best action at that momment was to stay 'on the sticks'. From experiance sounding 5 doesn't always make a difference either . . .

Its the yachts actions that really surprise me. Sooner or later compulsory qualifications need to be looked at in my view . .
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I may be wrong about it being specifically "MAIB". It was someone in the marina office who told me that it would be reported and investigated by an external body.

I'm not suggesting 5 blasts would have prevented anything. Merely that it is the signal for "I do not understand your intentions", generally interpreted as "Get out the ...king way."

God preserve us from compulsory qualifications.
 
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