Comms with a deserted cockpit

[solent clown]

Today we went sailing, is is the thing to do for many of us on days like this, and splendid it was too for the most part. Karen wasnt too well, but Ok to sail, and we were having a good time until heading back towards home, just east of Lymington/Yarmouth we found a motor boat edging ever closer alongside. When it came close enough to actually look, there was no one in the cabin at the helm, and nobody to be seen. I shouted over thinking there was something amiss, then we spied an couple sat on deck chairs on the bow. I attempted some sign langauge, no not rude, but nothing would shift the mound from his seat despite the protestations of his wife/prisoner. Eventually we had to take evasive action and they continued in their odd fishing style boat onwards, still perched precariously on their deck chairs without a care in the world. They seemed utterly oblivious to the need to actually pilot the vessel. Our last sighting of them was them on a collision course for a large concrete structure that Fawley Farts it's hot water out of.
I was wondering if any of you chaps carried anything like a loud hailer for times like this? We did chuckle about it later. I think his wife would have torn him a new one by the looks of it as we parted ways.
Apart from bearing away and avoiding like the plague is there anything else to be done?

 

[pvb]

Today we went sailing, is is the thing to do for many of us on days like this, and splendid it was too for the most part. Karen wasnt too well, but Ok to sail, and we were having a good time until heading back towards home, just east of Lymington/Yarmouth we found a motor boat edging ever closer alongside. When it came close enough to actually look, there was no one in the cabin at the helm, and nobody to be seen. I shouted over thinking there was something amiss, then we spied an couple sat on deck chairs on the bow. I attempted some sign langauge, no not rude, but nothing would shift the mound from his seat despite the protestations of his wife/prisoner. Eventually we had to take evasive action and they continued in their odd fishing style boat onwards, still perched precariously on their deck chairs without a care in the world. They seemed utterly oblivious to the need to actually pilot the vessel. Our last sighting of them was them on a collision course for a large concrete structure that Fawley Farts it's hot water out of.
I was wondering if any of you chaps carried anything like a loud hailer for times like this? We did chuckle about it later. I think his wife would have torn him a new one by the looks of it as we parted ways.
Apart from bearing away and avoiding like the plague is there anything else to be done?

Probably not, but how about one of those compressed air foghorn things?

 

[Aeolus]

You could have called up the coast guard to advise them that there was a vessel that appeared to be under way but not under command and perhaps they should investigate. You could have stood by to watch the fun when the RNLI arrived. Altho admittedly the RNLI have better things to do.

 

[Seajet]

One time we were following a Contessa 28 out of the Needles Channel when the young couple aboard disappered below leaving it on wind vane self steering - with the stuffed parrot hanging from the backstay apparently in charge.

The boat did a complete 360 but no-one emerged, I guess it added to the experience.


In your case I'd have tried to spot the boat's name and called them on VHF; if no answer call the Coastguard - could be the bloke was having a heart attack and wife was trying CPR...

If it really looked like it was out of control I might think about leaving a a chum on my boat and boarding the mobo - I'm slightly medically trained - or if I was with my very medically trained also ex-RNLI chum drop him aboard.

 

[prv]

I was wondering if any of you chaps carried anything like a loud hailer for times like this?

My VHF has an output for an optional speaker that can work as a foghorn or a loudhailer. I fitted the speaker to get the foghorn facility (it’s useful to be able to set it going and let it manage the timings) which means I also have the hailer available.

I don’t think I’ve ever used it though - I’m not convinced it’s louder than me giving a proper hail (I have a good pair of lungs ) and it feels a bit pretentious somehow.

The only way to deal with clueless other vessels in the Solent is to shrug and avoid them

Pete

 

[rogerthebodger]

Today we went sailing, is is the thing to do for many of us on days like this, and splendid it was too for the most part. Karen wasnt too well, but Ok to sail, and we were having a good time until heading back towards home, just east of Lymington/Yarmouth we found a motor boat edging ever closer alongside. When it came close enough to actually look, there was no one in the cabin at the helm, and nobody to be seen. I shouted over thinking there was something amiss, then we spied an couple sat on deck chairs on the bow. I attempted some sign langauge, no not rude, but nothing would shift the mound from his seat despite the protestations of his wife/prisoner. Eventually we had to take evasive action and they continued in their odd fishing style boat onwards, still perched precariously on their deck chairs without a care in the world. They seemed utterly oblivious to the need to actually pilot the vessel. Our last sighting of them was them on a collision course for a large concrete structure that Fawley Farts it's hot water out of.
I was wondering if any of you chaps carried anything like a loud hailer for times like this? We did chuckle about it later. I think his wife would have torn him a new one by the looks of it as we parted ways.
Apart from bearing away and avoiding like the plague is there anything else to be done?

5 blasts on your horn (sound signaling device)

You do have a sound signaling device as required by col regs ?

 

[Biggles Wader]

One time we were following a Contessa 28 out of the Needles Channel when the young couple aboard disappered below leaving it on wind vane self steering - with the stuffed parrot hanging from the backstay apparently in charge.

The boat did a complete 360 but no-one emerged, I guess it added to the experience.


In your case I'd have tried to spot the boat's name and called them on VHF; if no answer call the Coastguard - could be the bloke was having a heart attack and wife was trying CPR...

If it really looked like it was out of control I might think about leaving a a chum on my boat and boarding the mobo - I'm slightly medically trained - or if I was with my very medically trained also ex-RNLI chum drop him aboard.

CPR is notoriously ineffective when done in a deck chair

 

[Seajet]

My VHF has an output for an optional speaker that can work as a foghorn or a loudhailer. I fitted the speaker to get the foghorn facility (it’s useful to be able to set it going and let it manage the timings) which means I also have the hailer available.

I don’t think I’ve ever used it though - I’m not convinced it’s louder than me giving a proper hail (I have a good pair of lungs ) and it feels a bit pretentious somehow.

The only way to deal with clueless other vessels in the Solent is to shrug and avoid them

Pete

I know what you mean about the Solent, ( that could apply to any Scumsail boat ! ) but it's not very helpful if a crew has a genuine problem.

NB The author of the wonderful book ' Down Channel ' R T McMullen was ' found dead at the helm, his face into the sun '

 

[solent clown]

5 blasts on your horn (sound signaling device)

You do have a sound signaling device as required by col regs ?

yes, but firing one off in the crowded solent on an august bank holiday would just be antisocial Ours is a lovely little pumo up job so you never need to buy an air can.

 

[sailorman]

yes, but firing one off in the crowded solent on an august bank holiday would just be antisocial Ours is a lovely little pumo up job so you never need to buy an air can.

I have a Dutch brass one & only Big Breaths are required to use it

 

[solent clown]

funny idea. Still cant quite process what was actually going on, the chap was just too heavy to get up, the sun was shining , it was comfy, he was happy. I think they just do not understand what is is to sail

 

[solent clown]

The only way to deal with clueless other vessels in the Solent is to shrug and avoid them

Pete

Absolutely, and I am sure in the past others have done just that to Karen and I ! I dont want to make this a mobo hater thing, (especially as I have hacked around various corners of then planet on mobos for a long time) but you know, every so often you copme across someone... Today was funny, it was inconvenient not dangerous, and amusing to see them treating a boat like a back garden.. Just wish I could find a way to be polite and say, lets have a beer and talk about this, ot at least, look at those flappy things, thats my engine mate

 

[Seajet]

Watch out for unresponsive mobo's,,,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfwl3XTsWZE

 

[Seajet]

SC,

a tricky one.

I was once behind a sailing boat as we went out SW through the Needles channel, the young couple disappeared below leaving it on wind vane steering -the boat did a complete 360 with the sheets pinned in, but nobody appeared - I guess it just added to the experience

 

[Biggles Wader]

SC,

a tricky one.

I was once behind a sailing boat as we went out SW through the Needles channel, the young couple disappeared below leaving it on wind vane steering -the boat did a complete 360 with the sheets pinned in, but nobody appeared - I guess it just added to the experience

Was it a Contessa?

 

[BelleSerene]

I have a Dutch brass one & only Big Breaths are required to use it

I aspire to owning a Dutch brass lung-powered fog horn, but am condemned to owning a Chinese plastic one. Makes a serious noise when you blow into it, though. Presciently branded ‘Trump'.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Plastimo-Trump-0/dp/B000WIW83M

To Hell with gas-operated foghorns. All very twee, but this is a device you only use once in a blue moon, and when you need it it has to work first time, no excuses. Your lungs won’t run out of power when you need them.

 

[Seajet]

Or this may be worth a try for those who fancy it, hopefully not at too high a pressure, and check if the compressor is on 12 or 240 volts as required; the recipient should attain the suitable volume.


http://www.newser.com/story/187254/blowing-smoke-up-your-butt-was-an-actual-procedure.html

 

[LittleSister]

Ours is a lovely little pumo up job so you never need to buy an air can.

OK for the occasional toot, I found, but it does take a surprising amount of pumping time (and effort) if you're repeatedly sounding in fog.

If only someone would invent a horn that could run off 12 volts, and be sounded at the touch of a button.

 

[Concerto]

If only someone would invent a horn that could run off 12 volts, and be sounded at the touch of a button.

They are made.
https://www.asap-supplies.com/electrical-components/horns/voltage/12v-dc

 

[LittleSister]

They are made.
https://www.asap-supplies.com/electrical-components/horns/voltage/12v-dc

And if mobo bling is not your thing, be heard from afar with one from a car!