"I am leaving Cowes for Poole..."

[A_7]

\"I am leaving Cowes for Poole...\"

As an aside to my Radio Check question I got to thinking about the Passage Plan reporting. Just what is the point of it if nothing is done if one does not phone the Coastguard to say that one has arrived safely. It is not as if no one will help you in the event of an accident because you did not call in on departure! I have never done one and doubt I ever will.

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[Oldhand]

Re: \"I am leaving Cowes for Poole...\"

The purpose of reporting passage details to the CG is if they are contacted by your friends, relatives or neighbours saying you haven't arrived or come home, they know where to look for you. However, I wouldn't consider it normal to pass details for relatively short coastal passages unless your craft isn't entirely suitable for the voyage. If the latter is the case, then you shouldn't be going.

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[Andrew_Fanner]

Re: \"I am leaving Cowes for Poole...\"

I was taught that it should be done for any passage away from your usual cruising grounds or any passage requiring an overnight stop at the other end.

The instructor also remarked that its a bit pointless for any passage that does not cover more than 40 miles or go foreign, far better to have a shore based person who expects a call by a certain time, knows your passage plan, and will report you overdue if the call doesn't happen. CG may or may not have a good record of your intentions, and of course, they have your CG66, but won't know if you decided on a lazy lunch stop.

<hr width=100% size=1>Two beers please, my friend is paying.

 

[Sybarite]

Re: "I am leaving Cowes for Poole..."

For my first ever long overnight crossing, S.France to Corsica, I telephoned the coast guard.

"I'm leaving now for Calvi"

"Et, alors ..."

John

(so what)

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[Oldhand]

Re: \"I am leaving Cowes for Poole...\"

Surprise surprise, I obviously disagree with your teacher then!

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[global_odyssey]

Re: \"I am leaving Cowes for Poole...\"

Sometimes a useful thing to do, although I probably wouldn't in the Solent, unless poor conditions on passage somewhere. But in Pembrokeshire (less traffic) for a trip from Milford Haven, to say Tenby - a routine traffic call to the coastguard would produce other useful information about range firing activity, etc. (having to divert 12 miles out is a pain in the butt and adds half a day).
Not so important for locals who probably know in advance, but a useful reassurance for a boat on passage.

<hr width=100% size=1>I've got wind......................
...............................in my sails!

 

[Peppermint]

Re: Are you guys all doing this stuff?

On my own boat it would have to be a long trip for me to bother reporting in. Certainly more than 24 hours or outside radio or cellphone coverage and away from traffic.

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