Get out of the way, I'm racing!

penultimate

New member
Joined
12 Sep 2004
Messages
345
Location
Cargreen, Cornwall
Visit site
Re: Get out of the way, I\'m racing!

Chris, I don't usually take exception to your posts but the inference from the title is that Racing Types are a breed apart. It is many years since I raced competitively and I do have some sympathy with your view since I was once hailed by a Sigma 33 fleet off West Mersea who were bearing down on me from windward, "Get out of the way. We're racing". I replied to the effect that they were windward boats, and held my course. But, in general, I don't regard Racing Types as a breed apart, or any other water users (PWC users excepted - I have to have some prejudices.)
So far as Ahoy is concerned, I suspect he hasn't met the new ferries. They are vast and practically bridge Devon and Cornwall.
I've always found the ferries very considerate and I am surprised that, unlike Sandbanks for example, the Torpoint ferries are obliged to give way to other traffic; and reciprocally I watch for the yellow flashing lights as I approach and make my intentions clear to them.
 

snowleopard

Active member
Joined
16 May 2001
Messages
33,645
Location
Oxford
Visit site
Re: Get out of the way, I\'m racing!

TONGUE FIRMLY IN CHEEK!!!!

There's absolutely nothing in the news item to indicate he was carving up the ferry, apart from the statement that he was racing. The most likely scenario is that the tide took charge and he lost the wind at the critical moment.

I agree the ferries are very conscientious, i was threading through them last season, aiming to pass astern of both a converging pair of ferries when the further one spotted me and stopped dead.

I haven't crossed swords with the new monsters yet - are they any faster than the old ones? I understand that when they get all 3 going the frequency will be reduced so it should be easier to get past.
 

Viking

New member
Joined
23 Jan 2002
Messages
1,063
Location
Ålesund, Norway.
Visit site
Re: Get out of the way, I\'m racing!

I remember once in the Solent a whole fleet of yachts (type cant remember) streaming towards me fom the direction of Cowe. I had right of way. The lead boat screamed and waved at me "Get out of the way, we are racing" my crew were on the windward rail. I just pointed to the place where my ensign should have been and to my class flag on the backstay and said "So am I". All hell broke loose, I never seen a fleet of boats change course so quickly. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
 

penultimate

New member
Joined
12 Sep 2004
Messages
345
Location
Cargreen, Cornwall
Visit site
Re: Get out of the way, I\'m racing!

Difficult to judge yet whether the new ferries are faster. I note that the ferry involved in Saturday's incident was the old Lynher, not one of the new ones.
I wonder what the ferry crews think of them:
1. Is the central conning position better than the old conning positions at the bows?
2. If the new ferries are faster will the crew have time to ticket the many more vehicles carried on each trip?
 

pugwash

New member
Joined
30 May 2001
Messages
985
Location
SW London
Visit site
Re: Get out of the way, I\'m racing!

According the MoD guys in RIBS who escort warships into Devon and persuade private citizens like me to get out of the way, the ferries do have right of way.
 

snowleopard

Active member
Joined
16 May 2001
Messages
33,645
Location
Oxford
Visit site
Re: Get out of the way, I\'m racing!

It's not just a chain ferry, It's three of them in a row. You dodge behind one to find another coming at you the opposite way. Not too bad if you can floor the throttle but if you're engineless with the fast tide and wind shadows it can be.... exciting.
 

T_C

New member
Joined
22 Aug 2003
Messages
466
Location
S E Cornwall
Visit site
Re: Get out of the way, I\'m racing!

They may be restricted in their ability to manoeuver, but not in their ability to stop dead in the water very suddenly!! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I know of a skipper racing a smallish boat up this stretch of river who rightly, in my opinion, decided to dip under the stern of one of the ferries. However they were keen not to lose too much ground so were cutting it rather fine.
Unfortunately, said skipper failed to notice or appreciate another yacht from the same race who refused point blank to give any ground to the ferry and which sailed straight across the ferry's path.

Net result, ferry suddenly stops dead in the water to avoid running down the other fellow and the boat at the stern catches the ramp with its leeward shroud, end of race for them.

Personally, I like to keep well clear of them, but, as Snowleopard implies, dodging three in a row can be an interesting experience. However, I always find the ferry captains to be courteous to the extreme.
 

cliff

Active member
Joined
15 Apr 2004
Messages
9,468
Location
various
Visit site
Re: Get out of the way, I\'m racing!

Like it - "So am I" - must remember that one.
----------
hammer.thumb.gif
 

Cornishman

New member
Joined
29 Jul 2002
Messages
6,402
Location
Cornwall
Visit site
Re: Get out of the way, I\'m racing!

Strictly speaking under IRPCS the ferries are never "under way" because they are fastened to the shore by their chains. Local rules say otherwise I believe, and it is always advisable to keep out of their way wherever possible. Difficult when you are racing, tho'. The course that afternoon took in several buoys in The Sound before returning to finish at Saltash.

Andrew, your signature reminds me of advice given to new subalterns being posted overseas. You need only two sentences in any foreign language "Take off all your clothes" and "My friend will pay" /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 

Lakesailor

New member
Joined
15 Feb 2005
Messages
35,236
Location
Near Here
Visit site
Re: Get out of the way, I\'m racing!

So who sets a race course that crosses the ferry's path? I don't know the area but it would seem logical to avoid the ferries.
 

Rowana

Two steps lower than the ships' cat
Joined
17 Apr 2002
Messages
6,132
Location
NE Scotland
Visit site
Re: Get out of the way, I\'m racing!

[ QUOTE ]


Andrew, your signature reminds me of advice given to new subalterns being posted overseas. You need only two sentences in any foreign language "Take off all your clothes" and "My friend will pay" /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

One Christmas when I was at sea, me and a few of the lads went to a house of . . Erm. . . pleasure. We all bought each other a chrismas "pressie" and caused much hilarity amoung the "residents"

/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
 

Pierrot

N/A
Joined
16 Mar 2005
Messages
41
Visit site
Re: Get out of the way, I\'m racing!

[ QUOTE ]
By vague recollection from childhood its a chain ferry? I assume that this would constitute "restricted in ability to manoeuvre" with all that implies on right of way.

[/ QUOTE ]
I seem to remember from previous discussions (about Poole) that under colregs Chain Ferries are always the give-way vessel. I think a number of harbour authorities have local bylaws that change that
 
Top