Boat rage at Whitehaven

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Rosemarine

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On returning from the Isle of Man, on Sunday. We prepared the boat to enter the sea lock and called the lock keeper to lock into the marina when just off the South breakwater. On rounding the breakwater we found the lock gate just opening, and no vessels waiting. We entered the lock and made fast starboard side too. A few moments later a yacht came steaming in towards the lock with much shouting and the skipper with a full on rage, saying that he was first and wanted starboard side too. He then claimed that I had messed up everyone else while he reverses out with other boats astern of him and tries sort himself out!!

While he let forth with his opinion in the lock, I was gobsmaked and speechless and considered a response form me was unlikely to settle his rage. After some thought about the matter later, I am at a loss as to why someone should behave in such an un-seaman like manner and get themselves worked up to such an extent.

We had heard him call the lock just before us, but he made no request for berthing preference. We had no way of identifying him and assumed he was in front of us waiting in the outer harbour and ready to proceed.


Should we have waited for him to get himself sorted before entering the lock?
We called the lock keeper when we were ready and within a short distance of the lock.

You cannot wait about for people who call from some distance out can you.?


What does the panel think?
 
peteK said:
First come-First served
Click to expand...

Not sure I agree with that.

Sounds like an honest action on the OP's part and he doesn't deserve any kind of retaliation from the other boat. However, if he (the other boat) had called first he may have had a good reason for standing off further than the OP. Perhaps he had an inexperienced crew, was waiting for the gate and swapping fenders/lines at short notice was the root of his frustration. Whatever, just shrug and move on - life's too short...

I agree with savageseadog tho. - the lock keeper should call boats in.
 
My locking experience was gained in Holland. Dutch people never queue, first one to the opening gate gets choice of sides. Everybody else takes pot luck. Fenders both sides almost compulsory. It's always friendly though, in my experience. Have been shouted at by lock/bridge keepers a few times to move faster, but only in the early days. Never by other boats.
 
I'd have been a bit miffed if I had failed to get in the lock because someone went steaming past, but if everyone makes it into the same lock, I'm really not sure what the problem would be. How hard is it to swap the lines across?
 
Assuming that I can be bothered to say anything at all, I am always pleasant towards ranters. Something very calming like "Oh dear, one does seem to have one's knickers in a twist" usually does the trick!

I reckon your instinct to not get involved is the right one as reason has clearly gone out of the window.

Richard
 
We are also in Whitehaven.

I think the lock is stressful for a lot of those who use it but no need to shout.

I have had a boat raft up to me then clamber over my boat. I was the only other boat in the lock and the starboard side was completely clear, they also complained to me when they broke my hand rail off.....

I have also been hit twice in the lock, once by the lifeboat.

Just chill and let them shout. the other thing is to listen on 12 from about a mile out then you get some idea of what traffic there is and what order to go in.

There is also room for two boats on the starboard side if you move right to the front and don't have a 50' fishing boat.

And, always a good idea to state what side you want to come in on your radio message so everyone else who is listening knows
 
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The response was certainly ott, they need to remember that sailing is a leisure activity... That said, I am slightly puzzled by "... and no vessels waiting. We entered the lock and made fast starboard side too. A few moments later..." I don't know Whitehaven but how can no vessels be waiting and yet a few moments later all 'ell seems to break loose?
I always monitor a lock vhf channel for the last half mile of the approach to get a feel for traffic and round these parts the lock keeper calls the running order (apart from Ipswich which is a sizable ship lock)
 
I think the 'offender' was having a really **** weekend and your perceived inconvenience to him was the last straw. Agree that provocation would end in tears and regrets. Tedious, locks eh?

Last time I locked was out of Puerto Solente. Mobo ahead parked up 'short' and left engines running ahead which produced some interesting eddies.
Sunnysail alongside had to be supervised by the instructor as to which way was forward on the throttle ahem.

I tend to rig ropes and fenders both sides and assume things will change:)
 
Rosemarine said:
On returning from the Isle of Man, on Sunday. We prepared the boat to enter the sea lock and called the lock keeper to lock into the marina when just off the South breakwater. On rounding the breakwater we found the lock gate just opening, and no vessels waiting. We entered the lock and made fast starboard side too. A few moments later a yacht came steaming in towards the lock with much shouting and the skipper with a full on rage, saying that he was first and wanted starboard side too. He then claimed that I had messed up everyone else while he reverses out with other boats astern of him and tries sort himself out!!

While he let forth with his opinion in the lock, I was gobsmaked and speechless and considered a response form me was unlikely to settle his rage. After some thought about the matter later, I am at a loss as to why someone should behave in such an un-seaman like manner and get themselves worked up to such an extent.

We had heard him call the lock just before us, but he made no request for berthing preference. We had no way of identifying him and assumed he was in front of us waiting in the outer harbour and ready to proceed.


Should we have waited for him to get himself sorted before entering the lock?
We called the lock keeper when we were ready and within a short distance of the lock.

You cannot wait about for people who call from some distance out can you.?


What does the panel think?
Click to expand...


....there are fudge nuggets everywhere - you met him this weekend.... :cool:
 
Sounds like the skipper was looking for someone to blame for their poor seamanship, and you were an easy target.

Look on the bright side, you prolly saved his crew from another ear bashing

Funny how it's always the shouty people who can't park, innit???:D
 
I think that the cause of the problem was leaving the Isle of Man in the first place;) I mean, why would you want to?
 
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Blueboatman said:
Last time I locked was out of Puerto Solente. Mobo ahead parked up 'short' and left engines running ahead which produced some interesting eddies.
Click to expand...

At Puerto Solente, you call the lock keeper when you pass a specific channel marker and that determines your order in the queue for locking in. In my experience, most people observe that procedure and the system works well. You don't get a bunch of ejits trying to race you all the way to the lock. Good job too because, with all the Sunsail boats often arriving as a pack, it would be chaos otherwise.

Elsewhere, if there isn't a particular position when you call to be locked in, then I would assume you enter in the order you arrive at the lock.

That said, I would listen in to the relevant VHF channel for 5 or 10 minutes before my arrival to get a feel for how many other boats are also wanting to enter at the same time.

It would be helpful if the lock keeper could announce something to the boats - something like "join the back of the queue when you get there".
 
Thats the sort of person that has to be "one car infront" and first away from the lights. In my day to day life I see these idiots all the time. I have no time for idiots like that. There is no need for it, its not construtive and really isn't requird.

I go sailing to get away from that portion of society. I like my swinging mooring in the middle of no where. Its quiet, its away from crowds and its near nature. Marina's and the associated protocol hold nothing for me.

Sadly its just not sailing. I think this F You attitude has spread to all sections of society....
 
Rosemarine said:
We entered the lock and made fast starboard side too.
Click to expand...

Is the lock not big enough to take more than one boat at the side?
My ploy in locks where several boats were waiting is to hang back a bit then tie up to a boat that is already on the wall, then I don't have to be concerned with tending lines and if I am near the front I go out first ;)
I am often single handed so anything for an easy life :)
 
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