CG 'RIB'- Dangerous Lack of Consideration

Re: Picking fights with ferries

Well since discretion is the better part off valor, and he's a lot bigger than you, I'd run away /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Re: CG \'RIB\'- Dangerous Lack of Consideration

My mistake. Sorry. I thought the Dockyard Order applied (re small craft) to the whole of the Dockyard Port. On reading it properly I can see it is just relevant to the harbour.

I should still have kept well clear though.
 
Re: CG \'RIB\'- Dangerous Lack of Consideration

I would still have chickened out, mainly cos I have a very vivid imagination which doesn't hold back as to the possible consequences of several thousand tons of steel hitting some plastic at 25kts.

Then again, a couple of seaons ago, the Fastcat had a good go at trying to mow me down from behind which wasn't entirely fair, because it was choppy, and he was doing 30-something compared to my 17-18kts. I changed course, and he changed course to follow me. swmbo was getting a bit hysterical, and I had to execute a 90' turn to port to avoid being turned into cat food.

These days, I go round the corner a bit past Gilkicker towards the inner swashway before turning to Spitbank. That way, at least the ferries and hovercraft are in sight and crossing at something like right angles, so I can play "Frogger"...

dv.
 
Re: CG \'RIB\'- Dangerous Lack of Consideration

Hi Bilbo
Just a quick line in response to your suggestion to write a letter of complaint to the Coastguard. Firstly you do not know the facts, you were not there at the time but just seem to have jumped on the bandwagon. The Coastguard boat may have been answering an emergency call or something similiar. You may need them sometime, it seems that a lot of formulites are on the Coastguards case quite a lot of the time and I cannot see the reason in a lot of cases.
 
Re: CG \'RIB\'- Dangerous Lack of Consideration

And surely a letter would be responed to stating that fact?

However the same as landbased emergency services there is no emergency serious enough to justify having an accident en route.

The enforcement agencies need to be proffesional and squeaky clean at all times... same as we 'expect' the police to be or we have a go at them too!

PW
 
Re: Picking fights with ferries - ferry alters course to sail!!!

There I was on a port tack, middle of Solent between Gilchicker and Fishbourne - keeping a steady line and aware of the St Cecelia heading out across me - assumed I would have to luff up if it got too close but didnt look like it was going to be a problem when he suddenly slams on the port anchor and alters course to pass behind me. Almost s**t myself. Now I know he was correct to do so but it came as a huge surprise.
Hope too many people didnt get hot coffee in their laps!
so they do occasionaly do the honourable thing!
 
Re: CG \'RIB\'- Dangerous Lack of Consideration

"Just a quick line in response to your suggestion to write a letter of complaint to the Coastguard. Firstly you do not know the facts, you were not there at the time but just seem to have jumped on the bandwagon. The Coastguard boat may have been answering an emergency call or something similiar."

Yindoor, we've been here quite recently (USCG on some big pond) and the consensus opinion (like 274-1) was that whatever the exigencies of service, the CG are incompetent and in the wrong if they create one emergency while trying to sort out another.

Besides which, odds are heavily that they were trying to get back to Hythe in time for tea and biccies.
 
Re: CG \'RIB\'- Dangerous Lack of Consideration

The MCA/CG boats are not there for emergencies, that's what the RNLI is for. Highly unlikely the chap was on a shout. The CG is a part of the MCA, the boats are used for various tasks, but they have nominated coxwains, not an MCA one on one day and a CG one the next.
Complain to the MCA.
 
Re: CG \'RIB\'- Dangerous Lack of Consideration

I think its time to bring in iangrant on this one, if I remember correctly, he is the Solent authority on Whight link ferries, Ian where are you?
 
Re: CG \'RIB\'- Dangerous Lack of Consideration

[ QUOTE ]
was anchoured when a fast ferry passed,toofast.The ferry dug such a whole in the sea my 40 foot boat literally fell into it

[/ QUOTE ]

Where were you anchored /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Sounds as if it was too close to the fast ferry route.....
 
Re: CG \'RIB\'- Dangerous Lack of Consideration

[ QUOTE ]

The enforcement agencies need to be proffesional and squeaky clean at all times... same as we 'expect' the police to be or we have a go at them too!

[/ QUOTE ]

I, for one, expect them to ignore the speed limits, jump red lights and overtake anything in the way to get to an emergency. Not "squeaky clean", but necessary.

If they do that to get back to the mess for coffee I expect them to be criticised. If they do that in an emergency I expect them to be praised.
 
Re: CG \'RIB\'- Dangerous Lack of Consideration

[ QUOTE ]
So how would YOU have dealt with that professional ferryman?

[/ QUOTE ]

What did YOU do then?
 
Re: CG \'RIB\'- Dangerous Lack of Consideration

I, for one, expect them to ignore the speed limits, jump red lights and overtake anything in the way to get to an emergency. Not "squeaky clean", but necessary.

But thats what I mean, if theyre claiming the statutory exemptions to the road traffic act and driving safely, within their ability and training then they are staying squeaky clean - if they re not then they re not presenting that professional image.

PW
 
Re: CG \'RIB\'- Dangerous Lack of Consideration

Ashore the police, ambulance and fire service do but interesting the CG don't even though they also use 'blues and twos'.

As to at sea I wouldn't know. As an enforcement agency we have broken speed limits when it has been warranted but I also know of other agencies who have been charged under endangering life at sea (merchant Shipping act) in similar incidents when things went wrong... I just if you think you can justify what you did in a court of law then maybe its worth the (calculated) risk?

PW.
 
Re: CG \'RIB\'- Dangerous Lack of Consideration

Unless there has been a drastic change, I think you will find there is no "statutory exemption" for any emergency vehicles, they can be and are prosecuted if it goes wrong. If they choose to ignore any of the road traffic act, then they must justify their actions.
 
Re: CG \'RIB\'- Dangerous Lack of Consideration

Section 87 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 exempts drivers of vehicles used for fire brigade, ambulance or police purposes from speed limits in an emergency. The Zebra, Pelican and Puffin Pedestrian Crossings Regulations 1997 give qualified exemptions from signals at puffin and pelican crossings to vehicles used for fire brigade, ambulance, national blood service and police purposes, and the Traffic Signs Regulations 2002 give similar qualified exemptions from other red light signals and keep right/left arrows to vehicles being used for fire brigade, ambulance, bomb or explosive disposal, national blood service or police purposes.

Having spent 16 years driving emergency vehicles the training is and always has been that you MUST be able to justify any action you take and will be prosecuted the same as any other motorist if you have an accident.

The difference and possibly unfair part is if I had an accident at work or a court decided I couldnt justify claiming the exemption then the points go on my personal licence and will affect me insuring my car.

There have been plenty of high profile cases over the years...

PW
 
Re: CG \'RIB\'- Dangerous Lack of Consideration

[ QUOTE ]
.....training is and always has been that you MUST be able to justify any action you take and will be prosecuted the same as any other motorist if you have an accident.

The difference and possibly unfair part is if I had an accident at work or a court decided I couldnt justify claiming the exemption then the points go on my personal licence and will affect me insuring my car....

[/ QUOTE ]

so more "justifiable" exemption than "statutory" then (bit like I said in my last post?).
 
Re: CG \'RIB\'- Dangerous Lack of Consideration

Then we re arguing over wording however I thought something written in a law became statutory? Thats how it was meant.

PW
 
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