chichester yatch club hooligans

[rickp]

Presumably the concern is wash, rather than dangerous speed - although some of the faster dinghies are pretty worrying when flying around the entrance channel at high speed.

Rick

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[fireball]

Re: Asymetrics in Chi Harbour

Which is partly why they have been told they have no right of way over other vessels. The other reason is that they do not (can not in most cases!) keep a straight course due to the power in the kite.
Dinghies have also been requested not to race through the East Head anchorage. I think you'll find the spacial awareness of these sailors far exceeds most skippers - certainly when I was racing an RS800 with the kite up and twin wiring from the east head area heading up the chi channel I was looking at boats half way up the channel and planning my course to avoid them.


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[SailorSam]

Having sailed Fireballs and then RS800s in Chichester Harbour for 20 years and now owning a Sealine in Chi Marina, I have watched this debate with interest. (I also have been at sea professionally for some 20+ years and have an STCW compliant Masters ticket)

We have all witnessed the difficulties of getting on together in a crowded harbour where our various sports bring us into contention with each other - the key is to try and see it from the other guys view point and understand his difficulties. (When dinghy racing, i have had numerous Motor Boats cut me up off Sandy Point (Hardly a narrow channel) probably because they didnt understand much about sailing close hauled/tacking etc. Now in a Motor boat, dinghies seem to go out of their way to seek me out). Rather than try and "stand on" regardless quoting rules, lets learn to give a little. Is it really difficult to stop in a motor boat for a few minutes and let some dinghies pass (if you have any skill, hopefully not. if in your early days then probably quite hard)

A number of rules have been chucked about here, but several others come into play, and those quoted are being looked at out of context with the rest of the rules.

The incident was at high water give or take (16ft according to my tide tables) and the Narrow channel rules are only applicable if the vessel using the channel can only navigate safely in the channel. For the majority of vessels in Chi marina leaving at high Water this probably wouldnt apply.

Similarly the requirements of the "safe Speed" rule seem particularly appropriate (such that she may take proper and effective action to avoid collision and be stopped in a distance relevent to the prevailing circumstances and conditions...or words to that effect.) and rarely seem to be applied in Chi harbour. And probably most relevent is Rule 2:

Nothing in these Rules shall exonerate any vessel, or the owner, master, or crew thereof, from the consequences of any neglect to comply with these Rules or of the neglect of any precaution which may be required by the ordinary practice of seamen, or by the special circumstances of the case. IF FACED WITH A LARGE FLEET OF CLOSELY PACKED DINGHIES MANOUVRING AT THE START OF A RACE _ IS IT GOOD SEAMANSHIP TO PLOUGH ON INTO THE MIDST OF THEM. Probably not but then I wasnt there so difficult to judge. The key message is USE THE PRINCIPLE OF GOOD SEAMANSHIP TO GUIDE YOUR ACTIONS NOT FIND FAULT IN OTHERS.

Above all, We all make mistakes - even the most seasoned mariner. We all started somewhere, need space to learn and when learning appreciate the forebearance of others (even those coming out of the marina!! or for that matter trying to win the key race of the year)

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[DRH]

Isn't just a matter of common sense cos what you're saying is that dinghy sailors don't have to consider anyone else or they're own safety. My point was that the mobo skipper had stopped as he didn't want a collision at any speed with a smaller craft & so did the sensible thing. Or would you rather the dinghy guy split his skull on the motor boat.

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[fireball]

vessel being dinghy, canoe, tender, yacht, mobo, super tanker ...

If a skipper is stupid enough to get into trouble because of the belief of total right of way (eg Dinghy helm under sail or power vessel in "restricted channel") then I have no sympathy with them ...

Everyone should _always_ assume the other vessel will not give way unless the other vessel has made a definate change of course/speed to avoid collision

Assume everyone is an idiot until proven otherwise.

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