Cowes harbour Master

[SolentPhill]

I know there have been many posts on here about him, I have been shouted at for coming in against the outgoing tide at 5 knt and causing a wash in the past.

I was at Cowes over the weekend and watched him twice with his blue light on top flashing once he came past east cowes marina to stop a boat that was going too fast. then he went down the whole river at speed to assist a broken down bow rider that was being helped by a rib.

He is making more wash to stop people making a wash.

 

[volvopaul]

On many occasions we see the Hamble HM at speed too about 3ft from our boat at low water, there is simply no need for it.

We were at Shephards last week luckily not on the outside I dont think anyone was under the speed limit by the amount of wash created, then again if i didnt want wash I would be on the canals.

 

[Moonshiners]

He's told me to slow down once (only doing <5kn anyway with very little wash) as there was a jet ski filling up on the fuel pontoon and couldn't do so if there was ANY wash. Must have been a mate of his for this personal protection service...

 

[Questor]

A Couple of years back, we were told off by the Cowes Harbourmaster for making too much wake twice, while making the trip from East Cowes Marina to the Folly Inn in the tender!

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I know there have been many posts on here about him, I have been shouted at for coming in against the outgoing tide at 5 knt and causing a wash in the past.

I was at Cowes over the weekend and watched him twice with his blue light on top flashing once he came past east cowes marina to stop a boat that was going too fast. then he went down the whole river at speed to assist a broken down bow rider that was being helped by a rib.

He is making more wash to stop people making a wash.

I've noticed this myself on a recent visit to Cowes. It's symptomatic of the state of the nation. There's one rule for the peak capped little Hitlers who rule us and another for us plebs. Maybe somebody should video him and send a copy to the Harbour Authority for comment

 

[jhr]

Cowes is often complete mayhem and I wouldn't dispute the need to have someone keeping an eye on what's going on and/or admonishing malefactors but I do sometimes wonder what the HM's RIB is supposed to be doing.

Earlier this year I posted a rant about him, having been compelled to take evasive action because I was being forced over to starboard by a much bigger raggie (under power) overtaking me. The HM was positioned broadside on, half way across the entrance channel ahead of me, presumably to keep an eye on, or discourage, speeding but in reality leaving me with nowhere to go. I was tempted to give him five blasts and - in hindsight - I think I should have done.

But he's not the only person misbehaving: try coming into Cowes late on a Saturday afternoon in the company of a fleet of Swan owners, all pumped up by racing each other and all trying to be the one to drop their sails closest to Cowes Haven. Complete lunacy.