Bang-Bang-bang

rivonia

rivonia

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Is it just me ? Or am I just an old fashioned person? Why oh Why do people BANG on passerals-foredecks to get attention. I think it improper and the way is to call out "Ahoy there" followed by either the boat name or the persons name. The next thing the said persons are walking on board as there was no response. They were also strangers. They got very short shrift from SWMBO.
What are your oppinions?
 
Dont like folk banging on passerelles, so I have a remote bell. Nobody is allowed to board my boat without permission, even friends, never mind strangers.
 
Rivonia,

best steer clear of Bucklers Hard then !

I haven't been there for years, partly because of the Master Builders House pub which takes poor service to an art form, and because the 'harbourmaster' and his staff clamber straight into cockpits at 08:00 to bang on main hatches !!!

You can imagine the lack of privacy with them peering straight into the saloon etc too; this may have changed, maybe someone can say, in the meantime the only way I'd return is with either a large fierce dog or a Vulcan Phalanx auto gatling gun...
 
Rapping

In nearly 10 years mainly living aboard, I can't recall anyone ever coming aboard unasked without some good reason, wouldn't like it, but maybe we've been fortunate.
I think I prefer people to rap a couple of times on the side-deck, hull, passarelle, etc. than yelling "Ahoy There!" A couple of knocks is likely to be heard throughout the boat and only the boat, whereas calling-out might not, unless the volume increases enough to bring neighbours popping up from their cockpits like inquisitive meercats. (Just like what happens when a bow-thruster can be heard in close proximity :eek:)
I certainly wouldn't get upset about it, either way.
 
I'd feel a bit of a prat calling out "ahoy there!" before I came on board, so a knock on the gangplank seems the logical way forward...

If you don't want people coming on board without your say-so, then a rope across the end of said gangplank (perhaps with a no entry sign) might be more of a deterrent...????
 
Well thanks for all the comments. It must be me then. I just dont like all the banging to attract attention. I am old fashioned in many many ways and do you know what I am glad that I am. I still say thank you and please. I open doors for ladies and elderly people, I call ahoy any one aboard followed by boats name. Ahh the good old days
Thanks.

Peter
 
In the Med, we're usually bows to and often don't hear a call (unless someone's v loud and disturbs half the marina) - and if the wind's blowing us off they may have to come up the passarelle to get our attention. So we're not too bothered about it in harbour.

At anchor we welcome a call or a knock.

In the UK, people can come along the finger, and we found people usually knocked.

TBH, we don't care as we just like seeing friends. We've never had strangers try and board us, with friendly, unfriendly or plain nosy intent. (rapid knocking on wood smiley.)
 
Less roaring

I'm also in favour of please and thank you, and opening doors, although I'm less sure about the reality of the Good Old Days being all that golden. I think it's a great deal more courteous, civilised and considerate of one's fellows (and Olde Fashion'd) to knock discretely rather than uncouthly shouting out. As R.G says, as long as it's friendly, who cares? Pip pip! :cool:
 
The discrete knock, thank you.

Think you are in a minority, Riviona.

I'm all for the discrete knock as well. After all that's what would happen on your front door in a house (or ringing a bell if you had one). Its seems more polite and "old fashioned" than someone yelling through the windows (hatch). That doesn't cut it with me.

Carol
 
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Discrete knock yes, bang bang bang no. I wouldn't call out ahoy there, not in Brighton Marina anyway...:o

People who stamp around like elephants when they're on a boat that's going nowhere I find annoying...:eek:
 
Yup. I am in the minority, as so nicely put by Carol (wildbird) The point is I agree with all the comments. What I do not like is the BANG, BANG, BANG. If it is obvious that no one is at home or as in our case were very busy and up to our eyeballs in intricate tasks. Why o why carry on going BANG BANG BANG and eventually clamber on board.

Peter
 
ccscott49 said:
That is exactly what I have, very civilised.
Click to expand...

I think others thought I was joking but when we move to liveaboard in the USA that is what I intend setting up. It might be just a simple cordless door chime or maybe incorporate a PIR to turn on a light or two at night and maybe beep to let us know someone is about to board.
 
rivonia said:
Yup. I am in the minority, as so nicely put by Carol (wildbird) The point is I agree with all the comments. What I do not like is the BANG, BANG, BANG. If it is obvious that no one is at home or as in our case were very busy and up to our eyeballs in intricate tasks. Why o why carry on going BANG BANG BANG and eventually clamber on board.

Peter
Click to expand...
I empathise with Rivonia's dislike of the knock on the boat - mainly because it's so startling - however it's difficult to think of a more effective way of gaining attention.
The idea of a radio-bell is intriguing, but the downside, more electronics to go wrong and something more to power.

I'm usually bow-to, generally no passarelle and knocking, for most, would involve a ducking so, thinking outside the square, how about a notice telling people to contact you on such&such a vhf channel - the handheld uses very little power on standby and you're not having to add complexity.

I'm a great believer in the principle of KISS.
 
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