Getting crews attention !!

[pcatterall]

There they are on the foredeck, swanning about, chatting etc while I'm stuck in the wheel house trying to attract their attention to various potential disasters all around us! call, shout, shout louder, shout even louder!! " no need to shout at us Peter!!" There was a sort of buzzer fitted but It wasn't loud enough and now no longer works. I could use the air horn but they would probably fall over the side and it may confuse other craft.
Any ideas which will help please? I do 'encourage' crew to eye ball the helm now and again but that doesn't seem to work.
Perhaps one of those horns which you blow yourself would work as I guess I could use it at low volume(low puff) or maybe a whistle
What do you do?

 

[dylanwinter]

There they are on the foredeck, swanning about, chatting etc while I'm stuck in the wheel house trying to attract their attention to various potential disasters all around us! call, shout, shout louder, shout even louder!! " no need to shout at us Peter!!" There was a sort of buzzer fitted but It wasn't loud enough and now no longer works. I could use the air horn but they would probably fall over the side and it may confuse other craft.
Any ideas which will help please? I do 'encourage' crew to eye ball the helm now and again but that doesn't seem to work.
Perhaps one of those horns which you blow yourself would work as I guess I could use it at low volume(low puff) or maybe a whistle
What do you do?

one of these for each member of the crew will do it

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Winpoon®-Tr...81&sr=8-1&keywords=electric+shock+dog+collars

 

[Twister_Ken]

Luff up and clout'em round the ear with the genoa?

 

[nigelmercier]

Has your VHF got a PA output?

As an aside, I've been thinking that an MP3 of appropriate fog signals played on a loop via a PA would be a good idea.

 

[chewi]

Shoot one occasionally.
It encourages the others.

 

[dylanwinter]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEfZXuPgwvQ

 

[bikerbill]

Throw something cheap and heavy at them

 

[KenMcCulloch]

one of these for each member of the crew will do it

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Winpoon®-Tr...81&sr=8-1&keywords=electric+shock+dog+collars

Excellent plan!

More seriously, why not put a crew member on the helm and direct operations from wherever you can communicate with everyone. We have no wheelhouse but it's common practice on our boat for the skipper to take position at the front of the cockpit from where it's possible to communicate with the helmsperson and the crew forward.

 

[Poignard]

My boat is small enough for "Oi, you!" to do the trick but a whistle is cheap and effective. The kind you cut off your out-of-date lifejackets works fine or you could buy a Thunderer!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/ACME-THUNDE...qid=1380367348&sr=8-6&keywords=police+whistle

 

[nigelmercier]

My boat is small enough for "Oi, you!" to do the trick but a whistle is cheap and effective...

This is quite handy: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B002NP1P8Q/dolcetto-21

 

[charles_reed]

It's seldom that I sail with crew, but I've found a quick gybe usually brings their attention to the real world.

 

[pcatterall]

Excellent stuff Those dog collars should work a treat.
I guess the whistle will be the simple answer though!

 

[JumbleDuck]

I find that a polite cough and a meaningful look are quite enough. This is supposed to be a civilised sport, old chap.

 

[Tony Cross]

Shoot one occasionally.
It encourages the others.

Simple and effective. A bit messy though don't you think?

 

[BrianH]

I once watched a classic, large ketch leave the quay and put to sea; it was crewed by a very elderly looking couple but their sheer competence and seamanship was evident in all they were doing aboard.

With the man aft in a wheelhouse and she handling the for'ard line, clearly communication would not be easy, but when he wanted her to cast off, two strikes of a ship's bell rang out and they moved away perfectly.

I immediately bought and fitted such a splendid object in my own wheelhouse ... even if I do sail single-handed - one never knows.

 

[Poignard]

I find that a polite cough and a meaningful look are quite enough. This is supposed to be a civilised sport, old chap.

The Sergeant Wilson method?

"I wonder if you'd mind awfully letting go the anchor, old chap? But do say if you'd rather not."

 

[glenp]

That brings to mind the Steam Narrowboat, President, where communication between steerer and driver (engineer) is by bell signals. One steerer however preferred to lean over and call down to the engine 'ole, "I say, old chap, ding ding!"

Glen

 

[single]

You have to get one of these! Each crew could be a different animal
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CAR-SIREN...cessories_Safety_Security&hash=item4157bf07cb

 

[chewi]

Simple and effective. A bit messy though don't you think?

It all washes off, and they learn quickly in the circumstances.
;-)

 

[JumbleDuck]

The Sergeant Wilson method?

"I wonder if you'd mind awfully letting go the anchor, old chap? But do say if you'd rather not."

I have trained my usual and very youthful crew to respond to commands with either "Aye-aye, Sir" or "Are you quite sure that's wholly wise, Sir?". This is quite true.