day rental speed boats and the MCA

[Whitelighter]

While spending a very nice overnight on the hook inSwanage last weekend, I noticed in the morning that on the front was a sign advertising 'Motor Boats for Rent by the Hour'. In the tender on the way back to Panache, I was able to see the attendants collecting said boats from the swinging morrings where they were kept overnight.

Let's just put it this way, I wouldn't get in one on a canal, never mind the open coast line at Swanage. They were a rag tag collection of ancient boats I guess aroun 18 feet LOA with what looked like small (10HP) outboats on the back. Now, I am all for having a bit of fun, and I am not sure these would plane, but the kind of people renting these are not likely to be in any way expereinced - they were beiing touted in the same way a pedalo is. What crossed my mind was the amount of work that has to be done to a decent modern cruiser to get her up to spec - fire extinguishers, high rails, compass cards, vhf, life raft, flares, equipment checks, mechanical certificates - the list is endless. How come these cowboys can buy a load of ancient boats and just hire them out to the passing public. Os it this sort of behavoir that now means the rest of us are being forced to suffer the drink boating laws - no doubt when some pissed idiot gets into trouble on his hired 'speed boat' we will ALL get tarnished with that brush, when in reality our skill and experience are way above that of a hourly rate boater.

I guess to sum it up, how can these people still operate leagally? and if they are not legal, whyc isn't some one (MCA?) doing something about it? After all, it was broad daylight on a Sunday morning and they where very publically touting their service.

 

[Major Catastrophe]

In all probability they have been operating this without accident for years.

But don't worry, the killjoys are on their way and will soon get around to dealing with your little problem.

At the moment, they are busy dealing with the donkey rides that have been operating for forty years without incident.

Now killjoys ruin annual donkey derby

The sooner they put a stop to all hazardous activity, the better.

At least, my boating interest was kindled by my Dad renting a motorboat in Looe harbour back in the sixties, so the sooner they stop this 'gateway' to the financial ruin that is boating, can't be soon enough. [Irony Smiley/]

 

[Whitelighter]

I am sorry Major, but you have missed my point (which I accept may well be my fault entirly).

What I wanted to know was why are private individuals facing tighter controls on a passtime/sport in which they have often invested either money or time (or often both) while a commercial concern can operate seemingly outside the regulations. I am all for people being able to inexpensively get on the water for an hour or so provided it doesn't jeapodise the safety or enjoyment of them selves or others.

I don't know if there has been an accident or not in recent years, or indeed ever. But you can count on this, if there is ever an accident the headlines will be 'wreckless motorboater on jolly in expensive toy...' rather than 'inexperienced daytripper in hire boat...'

 

[Wiggo]

I've often wondered that, Jez. They are a right load of tat, aren't they? I guess that whereas most ancient engines like theirs would be temperamental buggers, those things run every day and are probably quite well behaved. What happens when one stalls and won't restart is an interesting question, and there will always be some silly sod who tries to take one to the Isle of Wight...

 

[Wiggo]

[ QUOTE ]
'wreckless motorboater on jolly in expensive toy...'

[/ QUOTE ]

I think 'wreckless' would be considered a good outcome, don't you?

 

[Whitelighter]

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[duncan]

they are restricted to 4 knots, are not permitted beyond about 300m, and have been operating there for many decades.

they are inherently as safe as a pedallo in that sense - and have a lot more permenant fendering than a pedallp

the owner operator is extrememly strict about people who have been drinking - even when business is slow

and they keep a carefull watch on activities

and they are licenced by Swanage Council............

finally they also operate as a water taxi for those wiahing to go ashore but not having tenders

 

[Whitelighter]

Thanks Duncan. So the only real rule bending is describing them as 'Speed Boats' then!

When all is said and done, I am still suprised that they do not have to adhere to some form of MCA coding regs. Good to know the owner is responsible though.

 

[Lakesailor]

They seem to have cleaned up their act on Windermere

 

[landlockedpirate]

If they are still £15 for half an hour including fuel, I will take 1 for a month /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Kawasaki]

jez, haven't got a clue about the Operation You are talking about--- but.
Flashback to 1957.
Rented/ Hired ? dunno but paid Me one and sixpence and used to go afloat in a Tin Canoe sort of thing and Canoe/ row about in Caernarfon Harbour and up the Seiont River as far as possibble.
Rhyl beach , same again with rowing boats.
Llandudno also.
Conwy river, flows like a good un, also.
Douglas IOM, 1961 ish rowing round the Bay.
Marine Lake Rhyl similar era, motor boats (ok slow) bareboat/ petrols but with big fenders I remeber but adults with Fags alight!
Rowing boat on Bala Lake, siseable pond! No lifejackets etc.
Healt and Safety, do Me a favour!
Fading memories now.
There must have been peeps with a sharp understanding as to what was going on.
If nothing else, not to lose a hire craft, never mind the Punters.
Maybe Rose Tinted Glasses.
I don't remember any accidents.
Then there were the mobile, shove it with a Tractor jettys, to alight peeps onto the Trip Round The Bay and Back In Time For Tea Operations all over The UK Coast.
As said, don't know nuffink abot the Operation You are talking about.
But maybe they know their stuff and are keeping an eye on their customers?
Yep, it appears that there seems to be some stiff Legislation for some and not so stiff for others.
Was teaching PB2 Last weekend and the slipway We had to recover from on Day 1 was difficult for the Clients to try and pactice "Aiming At The Trailer" cos the Area was boiling froth from Dick Head Jet Ski Persons, performing for their admiring crowd!!!
Don't often Rant.
I bet there is still oae accidents and incidents from those plonkers than the types of operations You are describing.
Yep again I know were You are coming from.
You notice this Operation looks somewhat lacking in the Standards/ Rules/ Health and Safety.
And wonder Why?
God forbid ,if someone perishes because of this apparent dodgy Organisation, how will it affect the almost enevitalle Drink Drive a boat Legislation that peeps seem to think will arrive?
Cripes! that lot was a bit serious for Me.
Must have touched a nerve somewhere!

 

[Whitelighter]

I think you are definitly loosing your grip dear boy /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Kawasaki]

I,m Old yer Knows!

 

[Major Catastrophe]

[ QUOTE ]
I think you are definitly loosing your grip dear boy

[/ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]
I,m Old yer Knows!

[/ QUOTE ]

You're not kidding. I met up with Kwaka and his pupils out on the water on Sunday and they were so worried about his fragility, they carried a portable de-fibrilator, just in case.

Still, skippering a RIB and teaching a class whilst propped up on a Zimmerframe, was a sight to behold.

 

[Kawasaki]

Aye, but the Old Car Dealer instinct is still with Me.
I stitched another two "Over age Stock"Lobster Pots into them.

Well, it was that "Or der wanna a Fail Certificate" ?
The other option was.
"Take these Pots of Me hands or I,ll give You another trip through the Swellies"
Result!
Had 4 only 1 left.
Jez, those new fangled boats of Yours need some traditional "Fittings" to sell in the UK I reckon.
PM if You want one.

 

[BrendanS]

you probably have good comments to make, but I never read any of your posts, as they aren't easy reading, and I don't often have the time these days

 

[Kawasaki]

Sorry Brendan, that You don,t have the time these days.
I sometimes do have Good Comments to make.
As You don,t read My posts as they aren,t easy reading I presume You try to read and give up.
Time management is really quite a skill.
I understand if reading My quite often Drivel is time consuming.
I Comment on here about Boaty stuff, Drivel in the Lounge, Mobo Stuff, and have met a few Forumites in the Flesh.
I like to stick My oar in where peeps have asked Questions I know about.
Whether it be The Lounge, MOBO, or PBO, or, Scuttle.
From Time to Time I have asked for Help regarding the Operation of this Forum and how to Navigate it.
Your Knowledge has helped Me , so Thanks for that.
Since registering a few Years ago I have enjoyed the Banter and Information available on here.
Plus I have met Forumites, and made Solid friends with some, Physical and Tinternet Ones.
My "Style" or whatever You want to call it , may not suit You.
What You see and what You hear, is Me I,m afraid
Pissed or Sober.
That's Me.
Like it or Lump it.
Anyway over the Years I have posted some really daft stuff on here. + some good stuff
What's brought Your last Comment on?
Had a bad Day or what?

Look at My Tag Line, or whatever it called at the bottom of this.
That Sums Me up.
If You wanna see different , that's up to You.
That's Life, That's The Forum, That's Free Speech!
Over.

 

[TigaWave]

It's very likely they conform to the MCA requirements through annex 4 of the current reg's. This allows variations in codeing requirements for beach craft, bareboat or skippered.

 

[davesimmons]

My old man took me on one of these about 15 years ago and went past one the other day that looked strangely familiar!!

Have to say it was a great laugh. They explained the limits we could travel very well and it was some inexpensive fun. Long may they continue.

As to getting them on a "plane"
/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Pete7]

[ QUOTE ]
They seem to have cleaned up their act on Windermere

[/ QUOTE ] Agreed, hire one of those little electric Winderemre boats a month ago. Full brief by staff before we were off and he even gripped dozy Janpanese tourist who wasn't paying attention to what was being said. Permanently inflated life jackets issued. Brief on how to drive boat (dash mounted stop / go switch) and detailed explanation of the hazzards, rocks, wirlpools and dragons around the lake. Top bloke. Only problem was Japaneze tourists chased us for an hour around the lake and we swear they were shouting Tora, Tora, tora.


Noticed how peaceful and tranquill the lake was without jet skis and the Manchester Mafia in speedboats. Just need to get rid of those anoying flapping bits of cloth on the kids mirror dinghies now

Pete