Criminal negligence

[Guest]

Another interesting weekend. Couldn't get out of Gunwharf Quays on Thursday due to gale force winds, so left on Friday at 10pm. Tied up in Christchurch at 23.50 after a brilliant single handed passage. I'm hooked on night time sailing!

Anyway, that's by the by. Came into Christchurch Harbour on the flood at around 11.30 am, Sunday, and found the channel obstructed at the far end of the swinging moorings by a six foot rowing boat with three teenage girls. One was in the water, as we approached, and trying to swim the boat against the flood and a SW F5. As we watched, a second girl went into the water, probably accidentally.

Fortunately, the wind direction meant we could go to port and drop anchor safely, so I could get the tender out and get out to them. One had managed to get back in, but as I got to them, the other one in the water tried to board over the side, and almost capsized the boat. Got them back to Arcadia, and it turned out they were holidaying in one of the beach huts, so towed them back. Parents on the beach looking for them with binos when we got back.

No swimwear (just normal clothes), no lifejackets, no ropes, hadn't even figured out what the rowlocks were for (paddles too small to make any difference anyway, FWIW), no idea about tides or the fact that The Run can exceed 6 knots...

As it was, with tide coming in, they would have ended up a mile or more up river, but if the tide had been going out, I dread to think. Called the Harbour Patrol, who reported it to Portland CG, and then went off to find the parents and give them A Good Talking To. What the hell were the parents doing, letting kids out like this???

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[duncan]

they were lucky you passed before the tide turned - at this rate the forum willl rival the RNLI by the end of the year!

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[gonfishing]

Hi Graham
at this time of year, this type of irresponsible behaviour will peak especially during school holidays. Last year (when i had a boat that worked!!!) i retrieved at least 4 youngsters, on different occasions, that had been taken out to sea in Oxwich, in those little inflatable paddle boats, one in particular that sticks in my mind is a young girl of about 9 having been taken out to sea by the wind and tide and was nearly caught in the ovespill at the point, she was at least a mile offshore in just a bather, no paddles and a non swimmer!!! when i got her ashore the parents were more concerned with the fact that my filleting knife had "accidentally "punctured the toy beyond repair. Foul mouthed abuse was my thanks for the rescue.
But i guess in 8wks time we will all ufortunately have similar tales to tell
lets just hope that non of them are tragic
julian

<hr width=100% size=1>WHAT??? more petrol!!!

 

[Guest]

Re: Which reminds me

We passed a little two man inflatable toy boat with a bloke and his girlfriend in last year - about a mile out from Old Harry at 8pm on Saturday, and drifting round to Swanage. No, they were fine. No, thanks, they didn't want a tow. No, they knew about tides and wind...

What can you do with some of them, eh?

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[DavidJ]

I think some people go on the offensive to cover up their extreem embarrassment. It doesn't hurt to be humbled now and again (especially when someone has just probably saved the life of your child)

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[Gludy]

I am frankly horrified by these stories and the discourtesy shown by the parents of some of the rescued.

A collection of these stories would make a good article in the boating mags – a sort of readers rescues section!


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[Col]

We were in Studland Sat, and had just dingied ashore to go to the Banks arms. We saw a youngish (7 year old ??) on an inflatable crocodile being taken out to deeper water by the breeze. We stood and watched for 5-6 mins, all the time looking for anxious parents. Nothing.
I despatched crew (Iain & Lian) out in the dinghy to tow him in, he wasn't keen. I insisted they tow him anyway. The mum arrived, just as he was being returned, she seemed completely ignorant of the dangers, but did at least thank us.

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[Solitaire]

Lunacy is not just confined to those on the beach! I spent the last four days in Mercury. Some of things I witnessed made my hair curl. The most common was MoBos leaving the marina with "passengers" standing on the foredeck. No life jackets, just glasses. Now, all it takes is another boat to reverse out of their berth or another vessel coming up the channel the wrong side and the boat having to take off power in a hurray and all the idiots on the foredeck will either go overboard or smash themselves on the pulpits or other metal work - mind you, should'nt have a go at the passengers; its the skippers problem!!. All well and good having a go at the landlubbers.
By the way, glad you had a good time Col.I'll catch up with you later.

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[nordic_ranger]

Coastguard News

Copied from Coastguard news 17 July 2003

FOUR CHILDREN RESCUED FROM INFLATABLES

Coastguard were involved in the rescue of four children in two separate incidents involving inflatable toys being blown out to sea off the Ayrshire coast despite repeated warnings about the dangers.

Clyde Coastguard are seriously concerned about the continuing problem with these toys after the children involved had to be rescued.

The present good spell of Scottish weather is currently very warm and sunny and the beaches are very busy with holiday makers and children on school holidays. The good weather combined with an offshore wind means there is potentially more incidents involving inflatables.

Clyde Coastguard Watch Manager Stuart Atkinson warned, "We repeat the message that inflatables must be supervised at all times and always tied to the shore or they should not be used in the sea at all. It is only a matter of time before there is a tragedy involving an inflatable."


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[byron]

Gratitude

Some years ago Calshot Coastguard sent me to investigate a report of two kids on a LiLo. I found them 3 miles off the beach and about two miles East of where they enetered the water. I collected them aboard and took them to the Lifeboat Station at Calshot where the Father collected them. For my troubles I received a bollocking from the Father for not rescueing the LiLo too. He asked me what the hell he was paying his taxes for and when he was told that an Auxiliary Coastguard Afloat receives no monies in any way shape or form from anyone called me a "liar" and stalked away.

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