Fog in Weymouth

[wheneverIcan]

After not getting a decent forecast for our first cross channel crossing we decided to head from Lymington to Weymouth last sunday where we could then wait for better weather to go across the even shorter distance. Anyway a few miles west of Needles we had to turn back due to strong westerly winds making a very slow and uncomfortable ride - little ones weren't too keen.

Anyway safely back in lymnigton we planned to sleep on board that night and leave early Monday morning- 05:30 came and off we went - no one about and the sun just rising - beautiful , definetely the time to travel. Got to Weymouth for 08:00 and safetly moored and having breakfast by 08:30.

After a few lovely days on the beach etc etc we aimed to leave this morning only to find a thick blanket of fog covering the whole harbour. did some more shopping and it looked better about lunch time so off we went again. Just fuelled up and check all nav gear only to find GPS had died and therefore no chart plotter info.

Phoned Seastart but electronics is not covered (very helpful otherwise though). No one in weymouth seemed to have any time or parts for Raymarine so as i carry a portable and the fog looked like it was clearing we decided to go on.

Just outside the harbour it was thick - we are talking less than 50 metres. This was it - to go on with charts, a compass and a little used GPs or turn back.

I turned back.

It was probably the most chilling boating experience I've ever had and with the whole family on board was well scary - I don't think i would have carried on even if the GPS was working with the plotter.

We managed to get our berth back in the mariner.

So what happened next with the weather forecast much the same tomorrow...

We brought a season ticket from Weymouth Mariner (really nice people) (24 nights at a discounted price) which can be used in Weymouth, Gosport or Cowes

Left the boat tied up and got a lift back to Lymington with a passing Dad (cheers Dad)

Will go back this weekend to pick her up and get the GPS fixed under warranty in Lymngton next week.

Will study my charts so hard and dig out my Day Skipper stuff in the next few weeks and never rely on electronics again (or maybe be more confident of alternative nav methods).

I have to say that when we had turned around the yacht moored next to us took our lines, helped us back, offered to give us a lift back to Lymington, offered to help crew our boat back and gave our children books and stuff to keep them busy - what really genuinely nice people.

Well that was my week

Simon

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[Deleted User YDKXO]

Go buy a decent radar and learn how to use it. Without one, fog is dangerous and frightening. With one, you could have made the trip home in relative safety

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[wheneverIcan]

For your info I have a decent radar and konw how to use it - what about the many yachts and small fishing boats with no radar reflectors - or the dozens of lobster pots from Weymouth to lymington which I'm sure from experience my radar doesn't pick up.

In "relative safety" is that good enough for you with two small children on board? I would call safety (no relative about it) turning back when its only a pastime afterall.



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[whisper]

It's your boat , your family and your responsibility to try to ensure that everyone, including you, were safe and having fun. As it is only a hobby , if you felt uneasy then you were right to turn back. IMHO.

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[Deleted User YDKXO]

Well there doesnt seem much point in having a radar if you're not going to use it in poor visibility. A good radar will certainly pick up small vessels with or without radar reflectors and even pot buoys. For the record, I have a young family also and, although I would never head out into fog for the hell of it, if we have to, I would do it, subject to a number of sensible precautions eg. slowing down to a reasonable speed, say 8 - 12 knots, having a precise and detailed nav plan and everbody donning life jackets. But its really a 2 person exercise, one to helm and keep a lookout and one to keep a constant radar watch. Luckily, my SWMBO is well capable of doing the former
As regards relative safety, I always feel that you're far more likely to be obliterated on the motorway going home from your boat than on your boat in fog

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[Artie]

I agree - Its your responsibility to look after your crew, boat , and others.
I have two standards of travel - If management (SWMBO) is on board then clear, calm conitions are a must 'cos if she gets really unsettled then I can count her out for quite a while whlst she retrieves her "bottle". With my mates however then conditions need not be flat calm or clear and many is the time we have returned from France using radar in fog because one or the other has to be at work next day. Even so the whole crew must be happy and I must be sure that the saftey factor is reasonable before we set out. EPERB, DSC, liferaft, hand held radio, flares, grab bag or any other help is only of use when the boat has ceased to function and the crew have not!

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