Capt Popeye
Well-known member
Drying out and visiting Sandbanks for fun or 'scrubbing off' used to be a regular occurance many years ago off Suffolk and Essex also in Herne Bay Kent.
Guess that over time these events have become less normal for many new into boating who get Rubbed Off in a Marina or Boatyard these days, so grounding out to do such tasks on their ownhas fallen through their learning or teaching ? What course does that RYA cover intentionally grounding in ?
At least up to 12 years ago at Herne Bay in Kent there was a craft who regularly took sight seers and holidaymakers out to part of the Margate Sands for a brief trip ashore there, went on a few times; the Skipper always approached the sands in deeepest waters side so getting away was safe and easy to do; we were encouraged to step onto the sands and stroll about, watching the Seals from afar or collecting sea shells untill Skipper called out for us to return to his boat; as far as I know he always took back same number as he deposited onto the sands, all safely; guess that he had researched the sands so knew and picked the right place to do it; noticed that on the opposite side of the Banks the water appeared to drop quickly into the depths so guess that side was scourged out by the tides and currents;
So guess that over time n tide the practice of intentional groundings has become a 'not to do task' in the newbies to boating; maybe the deep keels oft favoured has something to do with it ?
In the Mouth of the River Deben is Horse Sand right in the middle of the laid moorings, as a Youth i along with others from the Ferry used to row out and go ashore looking for shells and cay pipes etc never recollect there being any chance of being swallowed up by the Sands or Tides, we all lived to tell the tale (inc HM)
Yes no doubt that there are reasons that boats etc can and do get swallowed up into the sands just not sure how it happens though ?
Guess that over time these events have become less normal for many new into boating who get Rubbed Off in a Marina or Boatyard these days, so grounding out to do such tasks on their ownhas fallen through their learning or teaching ? What course does that RYA cover intentionally grounding in ?
At least up to 12 years ago at Herne Bay in Kent there was a craft who regularly took sight seers and holidaymakers out to part of the Margate Sands for a brief trip ashore there, went on a few times; the Skipper always approached the sands in deeepest waters side so getting away was safe and easy to do; we were encouraged to step onto the sands and stroll about, watching the Seals from afar or collecting sea shells untill Skipper called out for us to return to his boat; as far as I know he always took back same number as he deposited onto the sands, all safely; guess that he had researched the sands so knew and picked the right place to do it; noticed that on the opposite side of the Banks the water appeared to drop quickly into the depths so guess that side was scourged out by the tides and currents;
So guess that over time n tide the practice of intentional groundings has become a 'not to do task' in the newbies to boating; maybe the deep keels oft favoured has something to do with it ?
In the Mouth of the River Deben is Horse Sand right in the middle of the laid moorings, as a Youth i along with others from the Ferry used to row out and go ashore looking for shells and cay pipes etc never recollect there being any chance of being swallowed up by the Sands or Tides, we all lived to tell the tale (inc HM)
Yes no doubt that there are reasons that boats etc can and do get swallowed up into the sands just not sure how it happens though ?