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check out www.captaincalamity.co.uk for a discussion on Stuart Hill who tried to sail round Britain in a Dinghy and cost the RNLI over £70,000
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This gentleman achieved notoriety and was the subject of many earlier postings.
If he had made a similar "voyage" in France he would have been stopped before he endangered other people. I would not wish to see the RNLI charge for their services as the SNSM. Neither do I want to see compulsory training and certification introduced to the UK, but it would reduce the damage such people do to the image of sailing.
If he had made a similar "voyage" in France he would have been stopped before he endangered other people. I would not wish to see the RNLI charge for their services as the SNSM. Neither do I want to see compulsory training and certification introduced to the UK, but it would reduce the damage such people do to the image of sailing.
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I;m afraid I don't agree with Roger. The man's a fool, like that other clown Eric Abbott. Twice is quite enough. After that, the RNLI should charge them every time they rescue them. That'd put a stop to it pdq.
That's your money they're wasting, guys!
mikefield@woodenboatfittings.com
That's your money they're wasting, guys!
mikefield@woodenboatfittings.com
davel
Active member
Whislt sailing a charter boat in the US Virgin Islands this year, we were boarded by the US Coastguard who informed us they were carrying out a routine safety check. They spent about 15 mins on board and went over our safety inventory very thoroughly, checking dates on fire extinguishers and flares, looking at the VHF, checking the gas installation, life jackets for each crew member etc etc. They were polite and courteous throughout.
I asked what they would do if they found anything they didn't like. They explained that there were seaworthyness standards that applied in US waters and that if we didn't comply, they'd escort us back to port and either wait whilst we rectified the situation or, if it wasn't a short term fix, "imprison" the vessel preventing us leaving untill the fix was in place.
None of the things they looked at was exceptional and all were the sorts of things that any responsible sailor would have in place anyway. It all seemed perfectly resonable and was clearly aimed at the safety of myself and my crew, and at helping reduce the call on the emergency services.
Perhaps we could learn a lesson here in the UK. Certainly the antics of the calamitous captain are speeding the day !
I asked what they would do if they found anything they didn't like. They explained that there were seaworthyness standards that applied in US waters and that if we didn't comply, they'd escort us back to port and either wait whilst we rectified the situation or, if it wasn't a short term fix, "imprison" the vessel preventing us leaving untill the fix was in place.
None of the things they looked at was exceptional and all were the sorts of things that any responsible sailor would have in place anyway. It all seemed perfectly resonable and was clearly aimed at the safety of myself and my crew, and at helping reduce the call on the emergency services.
Perhaps we could learn a lesson here in the UK. Certainly the antics of the calamitous captain are speeding the day !
mica
New member
Re: Captain Calamity/Davel reply
There is already a system in place in the UK for charter yachts Dave. All charter boats have to have a DTI Coding, shown by the diamond shape sticker on their boat. Such coded boats are subject to spot check inspection at any time. Infringement of safety equipments etc would result in them losing their ticket to charter.
MICA
There is already a system in place in the UK for charter yachts Dave. All charter boats have to have a DTI Coding, shown by the diamond shape sticker on their boat. Such coded boats are subject to spot check inspection at any time. Infringement of safety equipments etc would result in them losing their ticket to charter.
MICA
davel
Active member
Re: Captain Calamity/Davel reply
Thanks for reminding me of the situation with UK based charter boats. The point I need to clarify, is that the US Coastguard applies these standards to ALL boats sailing in their waters, not just charter boats.
The real point is that this guy can go out to sea in a totally unsuitable vessel, without even the most basic of safety back up procedures or equipment and then burdens the tax payer (coastguard) and an incredibly needy charity (RNLI) with the cost of rescuing him - and there seems to be nothing to prevent him from repeating the folly over and over again !
Even as a boat owner, I'm questioning why I (as a tax payer) should be funding such stupidity. You can imagine what non-boaters must be thinking.
Thanks for reminding me of the situation with UK based charter boats. The point I need to clarify, is that the US Coastguard applies these standards to ALL boats sailing in their waters, not just charter boats.
The real point is that this guy can go out to sea in a totally unsuitable vessel, without even the most basic of safety back up procedures or equipment and then burdens the tax payer (coastguard) and an incredibly needy charity (RNLI) with the cost of rescuing him - and there seems to be nothing to prevent him from repeating the folly over and over again !
Even as a boat owner, I'm questioning why I (as a tax payer) should be funding such stupidity. You can imagine what non-boaters must be thinking.
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Re: Captain Calamity - I beg to disagree
The same can be said about the entire sport of yachting. He is only an extreme example. Everyone's tune would have been different if he had actually made it round GB.
What about the mini-tonners that needed rescuing off France, if I remember correctly? Or the Mini-Transat? Has anyone calculated the cost of rescuing Vendee Globe participants Bullimore et al.? What was the cost of the Team Philips rescue?
It seems that the press were out to "get" Stuart Hill from the start (his account of how he was hounded by the press makes interesting reading).
How was the cost of his rescue calculated? Helicopters aren't anything like that expensive to run.
I think the main moral to emerge from the story is that the unbridled power of the press needs regulating somehow. Maybe the profits made by the press in blowing up the whole story should be handed over to the Coastguard and RNLI.
The same can be said about the entire sport of yachting. He is only an extreme example. Everyone's tune would have been different if he had actually made it round GB.
What about the mini-tonners that needed rescuing off France, if I remember correctly? Or the Mini-Transat? Has anyone calculated the cost of rescuing Vendee Globe participants Bullimore et al.? What was the cost of the Team Philips rescue?
It seems that the press were out to "get" Stuart Hill from the start (his account of how he was hounded by the press makes interesting reading).
How was the cost of his rescue calculated? Helicopters aren't anything like that expensive to run.
I think the main moral to emerge from the story is that the unbridled power of the press needs regulating somehow. Maybe the profits made by the press in blowing up the whole story should be handed over to the Coastguard and RNLI.
Bergman
New member
Re: Captain Calamity/Davel reply
I don't think I entirely agree either.
The incremental cost to the Coastguard is negligable. They get paid whether they co-ordinate a rescue or sit and drink tea.
The RNLI could make a salvage claim for any rescue. It is a policy decision on their part not to do so, and as such I believe it right to respect that decision. It is certainly made for the very best reasons.
I don't know the full story of this character so I will not comment on the rights and wrongs of his obviously eventful voyage.
As always, I am opposed to giving Governments or Government agencies any further powers over the rights of the individual. If the occasional character takes advantage of this then I believe that we have to acceot it as part of the price of living in a free society. The alternative is worse!
End of political broadcast
I don't think I entirely agree either.
The incremental cost to the Coastguard is negligable. They get paid whether they co-ordinate a rescue or sit and drink tea.
The RNLI could make a salvage claim for any rescue. It is a policy decision on their part not to do so, and as such I believe it right to respect that decision. It is certainly made for the very best reasons.
I don't know the full story of this character so I will not comment on the rights and wrongs of his obviously eventful voyage.
As always, I am opposed to giving Governments or Government agencies any further powers over the rights of the individual. If the occasional character takes advantage of this then I believe that we have to acceot it as part of the price of living in a free society. The alternative is worse!
End of political broadcast
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Possibly misguided yes but guts no !
A couple of points to add to the rest of the contributors.
I think one of the reasons he kept going on was a genuine feeling towards his sponsors and potential fund raising. Who in this world has not bitten more off than he can chew but still likes to think he can hack it nevertheless ?
To my knowledge, all RNLI stations have waiting lists to get on the crew lists . They will probably risk their lives for us thank God, but they do so love a decent shout now and then. Most of all this gains good PR for them in the press which they need and which gains free advertising which adds to the brand.
As an East Coaster I have followed his progress with interest from the start but I have had the feeling that he rather disliked being 'shadowed' by the services and would rather have been left alone to get on with it. However, he did become a menace when stuck in crowded sea lanes.
A couple of points to add to the rest of the contributors.
I think one of the reasons he kept going on was a genuine feeling towards his sponsors and potential fund raising. Who in this world has not bitten more off than he can chew but still likes to think he can hack it nevertheless ?
To my knowledge, all RNLI stations have waiting lists to get on the crew lists . They will probably risk their lives for us thank God, but they do so love a decent shout now and then. Most of all this gains good PR for them in the press which they need and which gains free advertising which adds to the brand.
As an East Coaster I have followed his progress with interest from the start but I have had the feeling that he rather disliked being 'shadowed' by the services and would rather have been left alone to get on with it. However, he did become a menace when stuck in crowded sea lanes.
davel
Active member
Re: Captain Calamity/Davel reply
This is obviously a new view on the concept of sunk costs
This is obviously a new view on the concept of sunk costs
Grehan
Well-known member
True Brit?
Maybe he should give lessons to all those paddling asylum seekers.
They've both got more pluck (or do I mean spunk?) than most of us here assembled.
If this benighted nation with its hordes of floating caravanners spending money like drunken seamen and calling out the lifeboat 'cos their engines won't start, cannot tolerate a few maybe misguided adventurers, then we're all sunk. As it were.
The RNLI is the only charity I support, but "hard up?" I don't really think so. Similarly, Guide Dogs for the Blind who have more dosh than they know what to do with.
Who was the Greek philospher who said
"They have locked up our fools to make Themselves appear wise"
?
Maybe he should give lessons to all those paddling asylum seekers.
They've both got more pluck (or do I mean spunk?) than most of us here assembled.
If this benighted nation with its hordes of floating caravanners spending money like drunken seamen and calling out the lifeboat 'cos their engines won't start, cannot tolerate a few maybe misguided adventurers, then we're all sunk. As it were.
The RNLI is the only charity I support, but "hard up?" I don't really think so. Similarly, Guide Dogs for the Blind who have more dosh than they know what to do with.
Who was the Greek philospher who said
"They have locked up our fools to make Themselves appear wise"
?
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Re: Captain Calamity/Davel reply
RNLI - worthy, yes, needy no! A look at there accounts shows that while like anybody else they can also use more money they are quite cash rich.
PS. I do support the RNLI.
RNLI - worthy, yes, needy no! A look at there accounts shows that while like anybody else they can also use more money they are quite cash rich.
PS. I do support the RNLI.
ChrisJ
New member
Re: Possibly misguided yes but guts no !
My father was sitting in a sea-lock in Netherlands a couple of years ago, having had an eventful but successful passage across the North Sea in a Westerly Konsort (30ft). As he was tidying up after the passage, replacing North Sea charts with Dutch inland water charts etc. another craft arrived from seaward. This other craft (about 22ft) asked my father which lock they were in, and what was the best way to go once through the lock. An interesting conversation ensued which ended up with the information that this boat had sailed across the North Sea from Hull with two people on board using an AA map of Europe.
Being eccentric is an acceptable part of being English...
Cheers, Chris
My father was sitting in a sea-lock in Netherlands a couple of years ago, having had an eventful but successful passage across the North Sea in a Westerly Konsort (30ft). As he was tidying up after the passage, replacing North Sea charts with Dutch inland water charts etc. another craft arrived from seaward. This other craft (about 22ft) asked my father which lock they were in, and what was the best way to go once through the lock. An interesting conversation ensued which ended up with the information that this boat had sailed across the North Sea from Hull with two people on board using an AA map of Europe.
Being eccentric is an acceptable part of being English...
Cheers, Chris
