Colregs and the Solent??

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Chrusty1

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Well I have been reading the latest "Colregs Discussion", the one about the yacht on tow, and I was having a bit of a ponder, (like well you might), about why all these Colregs threads seem to eminate from the Solent Saily Folk???

I might be a tad off plot here, but I can't recall a thread on colregs eminating from any other sailing area, that is not to say that it hasn't happened, just that I don't remember one.

So what is going on here?
 
Because, dear Crusty, so few people sail outside of The Solent that they don't need to know Colregs /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

There is an element of truth to this....
 
Probably something to do with the arithmetic [= sums].

More boats = more risk of collision =more questions about colregs.

Hardly surprising, really
 
[ QUOTE ]
So what is going on here?

[/ QUOTE ] I think there is a special rule for the Solent that is not included in the generally published version of the Colregs for use elsewhere.

Rule AND (4) (q) (ii)
 
There is a lot of traffic in a small space. Going in many different directions. A lot of it either racing, commercial or in a hurry. It is perhaps a testament to people's competence that we are debating the finer points of the rules rather than asking who sank who!
But it's nice in the evenings and weekdays when less DFL's areabout! Think what it would be like if all the boats left the marinas!
 
For anyone not familar with the solent your question would seem sensible. For those that have gone the short length of just 1 solent river "the Hamble" they will understand how good most solent sailors are to avoid collisions and why they are keen to ensure they correctly obey the ColRegs.

Just Speculating on the hamble - what is it say 2 mls long with Major Marinas, Hamble Point, Port Hamble, Mercury and Universal. River moorings and all the other minor pontoons etc. I would estimate that ion that 2 mls there are 6000 boats. Tinking about it if you add the ribs/dry storage boats andthe smaller ones that can go under the bridge probably 7000 boats!!

Now add in the boats from the major rivers/ports that sail in the Solent eg Chichester, Langstone, Portsmouth, Cowes, Southampton, Buealeiu River, Lymington & Yarmouth

Anyone with a better estimate? Now if they all took to the river at the same time!!

I often think it sad that some few boats are actively used but on reflection - now I am grateful.
 
Solent exempt from col regs........ yep particuarly through the small boat channel in Portsmouth (no small thanks to the small boat channel volunteer patrol) the sunsnail fleet bobbing around aimlessly clearly not under command and Chi harbour entrance a complete free for all in existance at weekends ! Joy !
 
[ QUOTE ]
Because, dear Crusty, so few people sail outside of The Solent that they don't need to know Colregs /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

There is an element of truth to this....

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes having just re-located boat to the S Coast from N Wales the volume of boats is a total culture shock - of course I was aware that the S Coast and Solent particularly is much busier than the north BUT this is on a scale that most northern sailors would find hard to visualise. And the IOW ferries do not seem to take any prisioners!
You could sail right around Anglesey and only see half a dozen other boats out on the water on some days. Not sure where I am going to find some secluded anchorages and some peaceful sailing? Still early days...still finding our way around.
 
The cause is lots of boats in not a lot of water to put it simply. If you work on the principle that no one knows their col regs, expect the unexpected, and life is too short to get upset about these things, then you can have a good time in the Solent and surrounding area /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif and it's not too busy to enjoy some piece and quiet

_P3P3297.jpg


I was motoring towards the gap in submarine barrier off Portsmouth yesterday. Another yacht motoring through gap in the barrier, on a collision course with me and vice versa. I make a positive move to starboard. A few seconds later they do the same, we're now on another collision course. Rather than making another move to stb, I reverted to my original course (as there was now no risk of a collision).

As they pass by, there were a couple in the cockpit looking so closely at a chartplotter and pressing buttons with their autopilot they had forgotten to look where they were going. Their change of course was prolly to their next waypoint and had nothing to do with me or any of the other surrounding boats!

No harm was done, but it goes to show what Solent users are up against
 
[ QUOTE ]
Ah, I've just found a deserted anchorage, not 3 miles from Lymington but it takes balls to go there. And no I'm not saying where it is....

[/ QUOTE ] Pylewell Lake? Might be a bit dodgy at LW, mind /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Question 2: Colwell Bay? I'm damn sure I wouldn't try and anchor there, along with 99% of other rock-averse sailors in the Solent, but for those of us with the insanity gene, it would certainly be quiet....

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]

Just Speculating on the hamble - ...
I would estimate...probably 7000 boats!!

Now add in the boats from the major rivers/ports that sail in the Solent eg Chichester, Langstone, Portsmouth, Cowes, Southampton, Buealeiu River, Lymington & Yarmouth

Anyone with a better estimate?

[/ QUOTE ]

If I remember correctly (and bear in mind I don't do many things correctly!) there are reckoned to be a total of about 23,000 moorings in the Solent area.

Thank goodness most of the boats on them hardly move from one year to the next!
 
[ QUOTE ]
_P3P3297.jpg


...No harm was done, but it goes to show what Solent users are up against

[/ QUOTE ]

Sheesh, that Solent water is nearly steep enough to ski down!

Respect.

/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Andy
 
[ QUOTE ]


_P3P3297.jpg




[/ QUOTE ]

Snooks

I know you're paid to do it, but great photo.

Mind explaining what is happening here? I see the pedestrians but it looks that, whilst the boat is aground, it is still the right way up, so perhaps that was all intended.
 
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