Close one at Sparkes yesterday

[MVP]

Through an unusual set of circumstances, I was sitting on the back of our boat by the exit of the pontoons, next to the metal steps midday yesterday.

A was watching a large MB going out, but just as it got near the exit, I say a young boy (maybe 6-8 years old) in a kayak appear from under the bow of the Ocean Tigress(which is berthed at the west of the entrance) on a collision course.

Time did it's "slowing down" trick and I shouted at the MB, as there is no way he could have seen the kayak.

Fortunately the captains quick reactions bought the boat to a halt, and the young boy and his mother behind in another kayak, carried on across the entrance, receiving a few choice words from myself (though time had gone into double speed by then and it's a bit of a blur)

I reckon it was about 2-3 seconds from tragedy - the stupid mother should be strung-up, it was like encouraging a child to run across a busy road from behind a bus - jees

MVP

 

[[2068]]

That was me! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

I did see them, but it takes a second or so to get both mechanical shifters in reverse and get enough reverse welly on to come to a halt.

It was extremely close, but the canoeists seemed a bit too relaxed about potentially getting flattened by 4500kg of fibreglass - hence some appropriate advice from our cockpit as well.

(The entrance to Sparkes is very narrow: a boat width plus a few feet either side. Canoeists emerged portside from behind the bow of a 55 fly straight across the marina entrance/exit)

 

[MVP]

Well done S28, fast work !

I didn't think you could have seen him from your angle, so hope the loony shouting at your from the right didn't put you off

 

[RobWales]

Yep well done S28.......
We get the same problem in our Marina! I've protested to our HM as I feel its just a matter of time!!!!
Rob.

 

[[2068]]

Not a problem: you were shouting what I was thinking!

 

[ebbtide]

Advise you copy this to Chichester HM and to Sparkes management, tho' in honesty I don't see what could be done to prevent a recurrence as long as peeps launch canoes and rubber flubbers with no knowledge of wind and tide, let alone Col Regs.

This planet is simply too crowded!

 

[MVP]

I reported the incident to Sparkes's manager, who promptly sent a rib out to advise and warn the culprit.

The trouble is, there are just too many idiots out there - at weekends it really needs a regular patrol around the Sparkes/Sailing Club area.

 

[benjenbav]

Well done S28!

 

[derekh]

when some kid is mowed due to their own careless actions who will the press jump up and down on ?

 

[Al Dickson]

Some of these kayaks end up miles from the shore now also - we really have to keep a constant lookout for them on the Clyde - its a tradgedy waiting to happen - why they dont make themselves more visible is beyond me.

 

[Firefly625]

[ QUOTE ]
I reported the incident to Sparkes's manager, who promptly sent a rib out to advise and warn the culprit.

The trouble is, there are just too many idiots out there - at weekends it really needs a regular patrol around the Sparkes/Sailing Club area.

[/ QUOTE ]

Its the sort of incident that makes you go cold... but so bizara how sometime the would be casulties are blissfully unaware of the situation even when it was obviously such a narrow miss....

... if only the HM's rib looked something like this picture, at least they would get the sense they had done something wrong! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Oh and MVP well done for shouting! if you see something like this everyone should make as much noise as possible, don't just think you are making a fuss, S28 had obviously seen the boy, but you didn't assume, so well done!

 

[Questor]

Probably dinghy sailors in a previous life, still expecting everyone & everything to give way to them. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[No Regrets]

You really really wouldn't want to run this one over would you? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Wiggo]

I wouldn't be happy if I was on the port side of that RIB, either, TBH...

 

[benjenbav]

Should the ensign be flown from the port quarter?

 

[lovezoo]

[ QUOTE ]
The trouble is, there are just too many idiots out there - at weekends it really needs a regular patrol around the Sparkes/Sailing Club area.

[/ QUOTE ]
Surely if you already know there is a problem with too many idiots out in that area the solution is to be extra careful and assume that a kid in a kayak is about to pop out in front of you?

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

[ QUOTE ]
Surely if you already know there is a problem with too many idiots out in that area the solution is to be extra careful and assume that a kid in a kayak is about to pop out in front of you?

[/ QUOTE ]

It sounds like he _did_ already know, and he _was_ being extra careful - that's why he was able to stop in time...

Cheers
Jimmy

 

[lovezoo]

Err, I don't think I suggested he wasn't being careful...

 

[nicho]

[ QUOTE ]
Should the ensign be flown from the port quarter?

[/ QUOTE ]

Are YOU going to tell them? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif