Collision with small buoy - FYI

[Jerbro]

I did mention this on the rope cutter thread earlier, but if you missed it, this may be of interest to know what happens when you pick up a lobster pot at slow speed.

We were heading into Weymouth harbour entrance and dropping speed to approx. 8 knots when we noticed small pot marker just outside the entrance. Too late to stop or turn, so I knocked the engines into neutral and drifted over it - fingers crossed! Waited, drifted a good 100 metres east - no sign of buoy - then saw buoy approx 150m west.

Engaged fwd gears to head into harbour - but we weren't moving and something didn't feel 'right'. Engines to stop and had good look around stern. yellowish rope running tight from stb prop area to the deep (obviously other buoy observed was a different one - that makes two just outside the harbour entrance!). Get my sharp knife and boat hook, hook up rope, pull to surface and cut close to stern gear as possible (cutting my finger in process!). Blood all over the teak, but at least we're free and limp back in on tick-over.

Definite dragging sensation on stb side needing a good 10 deg of opposite rudder to stay straight. VHF marina to give me a hand getting in (don't know what will happen when I go astern). Marina guys meet me in RIB and one on pontoon to push me in if required. All goes well and we're back in. Diver just happened by and retrieved the following...no obvious damage as this lot was looped round just on of the blades of the stb prop. This has not happened to me before, so the experience was useful, especially as we were just heading back in and going at dead slow speed. Dread to think what it's like tagging one of these at speed.

 

[bdsweeting]

I must admit that it does annoy me that ANY pots are laid outside harbour entrances or within fairways.

I have seen those pot markers outside Weymouth appear recently and considering the number of vessels, sail and power, that negotiate the entrance I am surprised that the HM does not do something about it.

I suppose it depends on the local byelaws, but common sense would be nice aswell.

It might be worthwhile reporting it to the HM to see if any sensible response is forthcoming.

 

[tcm]

very well handled, i think. I wonder if a rope cutter wd snick thru that lot? I'd like to see a proper test when they run thru loads of different sorts of ropes and so on.

 

[ArthurWood]

One way to try to get a rope like that off is to get someone to hold the end of it and nudge the affected engine in and out of reverse at idle speed. It might unwind, or it might not.

 

[robind]

I believe that those who do set pots that close to a harbour entrance are irresponsible. However I also don`t believe that they are true fishermen either and that they are purely opportunist operators of illegal fishing.

I see quite a number of idle pots on what look like trip fishing boats in my marina. Boats that, presumably due to cost don`t have an electrical supply from shore and therefore start their boats up at 06-00 when they are on board, just to charge their battery from the TV use the night before. These boats are usually scruffy and may have been used for trip fishing until regulation stopped them continuing, now sitting on their pontoon with obese so called skippers and a miriad children flying around the marina in over sized ribs. Ah Me! Im sure there are some in your neck of the woods?

 

[duncan]

[ QUOTE ]
I believe that those who do set pots that close to a harbour entrance are irresponsible. However I also don`t believe that they are true fishermen either and that they are purely opportunist operators of illegal fishing

[/ QUOTE ]

Please make up your mind - irrresponsible I can understand your view but illegal? Where does this come from?

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

I'm not sure I like the idea of someone holding the rope while the prop is engaged?

That sounds to me like a recipe for serious rope burns at best... and at worst an injured MOB....

 

[Taurus_Skipper]

You got away light.

9 times out of 10 , the line melts itself to the shaft, requiring a lift out or diver to cut free.

The worst stuff is the line with lead shot in it , as it squeezes itself bewteen prop and ' P ' bracket , which requires a screw driver and jemmi bar.

I love clearing props , as those pellet buoys become mine, for my divers, and pennies made are placed in the hands of my young crew for thier ' RNLI STORMFORCE ' for Dover lifeboat.

Andy

Dover's prop clearance diver.

 

[Jerbro]

What's your experience re: effectiveness of rope cutters? How many boats are you called to that have rope-cutters and a tangle?