Illegal to single hand! According to SOLAS?

D3B

D3B

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28 Nov 2004
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Location
Ely, Cambs UK
www.cutting-solutions.co.uk
Someone came to the boat today to look at my fuel/water problem.
he asked how it had happened....
So I told him about my single handing adventure to Belgium.

He jumped on it straight away and said that according to SOLAS it was illegal for me to single hand and also that my insurance would be invalid.
I shot down the insurance comment immeditely as I had the single handing for 50Nm removed from the policy three years.

He claimed it would be impossible for me to keep a good lookout at all times....siting reading the chart/chartplotter and not being able to keep a good course while watching the compass and look out.
He claimed he worked on aLifeboat....


Its had me thinking.....
however there are instructors on this site that commented on my threads about the journey....none of whom mention Solas and keeping a good lookout.
I've looked at the Solas V leaflet and page from the MCA and cant see anything.
Is there perhaps something in SOLAS full regulations that refer to this?
 
Tell him "Thanks for the lecture, now fix the f*****g problem that I'm paying you for".

Never heard such rubbish - but then I'm an arrogant male who will probably be corrected by the more knowledgable on here.

How are you finding IHM after Lowestoft ? Heard the bridge is broken down again ... I'm well out of that hassle. Shotley is spot on - and nearer the sea for single handing ....

CD

CD
 
More "offialdom" spouting a load of crap. There is a thread about incorrect "legal" information Here in the Lounge at the moment.
Give a thick arse a little bit of knowledge and charge him £1000 for a 3-day course plus Certificate and he becomes Lord High Chancellor.
 
All replies so far are pretty much what I thought....but what do I know.

Chris.
IHM is great, bit of a pain getting to sea but if the weather is crap I can potter about in the estuary without getting wet.
Are you going to the pirate weekend....It's not just little kids going you know... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
"He claimed it would be impossible for me to keep a good lookout at all times....siting reading the chart/chartplotter and not being able to keep a good course while watching the compass and look out.
He claimed he worked on a Lifeboat...."

Taking this literally, then one could say that every wee singlehanded sailing dinghy is breaking the regulations - maybe it should be mandatory for all wee Oppie sailors to have an even more wee look-out squashed in the bow to comply with regulations..... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I think he probably means for a long passage, but how many hours is necessary for a passage to become 'long', such that one cannot maintain an effective watch? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Roger
Thats exactly the leaflet I was refering to.
Nothing in there which has "specifics" for pleasure boaters....
its the chapter "V" which is for us.
but is there something in the full Solas regs?


I suppose the insurance company wouldnt have waved the 50Nm single handing clause if there would be an infringement of Solas..
 
He claimed he worked on aLifeboat....

_______________________________________________

He may have passed his Instute of banking or chartered accountancy exams but no proof he even has dayskipper.

Just point him to the exploits of Ellen Mcarthur etc.
 
The problem with single handed trips was made clear to me by a trawler skipper, What if you were incapacitated?
Before that comment I had undertaken many long distance trips single handed but never again
 
How many times a day do I hear calls to dover coastguard informing of departure on single handed trips across the channel? If i had a pound you know....
 
Singlehanding illegal... what twoddle.

Long trips possibly yes if a proper lookout cannot be maintained. MacArthur had some serious technology on board helping her... as do all ccean racers... not the kind of kit most people have on their personal boat.

I checked with my insurance company before I did my solo Round Britain trip last year. They said won't be a problem but I couldn't do solo at night.
 
I don't believe there is, V is the only part that applies to us. Actually the guy might have a point about insurance. My policy excluded cover when single handed but I spoke to the brokers and it is now a specific endorsement "Permission is hereby given for the vessel to be sailed single handed by the owner or any person whose details of experience etc have been submitted to and accepted by the Company, within cruising limits authorised on the Schedule between sunrise and sunset". I volunteered the not at night bit when asking.

They would hardly do this is it was against SOLAS
 
Re: Single handed insurance

[ QUOTE ]
I checked with my insurance company before I did my solo Round Britain trip last year. They said won't be a problem but I couldn't do solo at night.

[/ QUOTE ]

Advise you to change your insurers then!
Bishop Skinner double the Excess at night, that's all.
 
Re: Single handed insurance

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I checked with my insurance company before I did my solo Round Britain trip last year. They said won't be a problem but I couldn't do solo at night.

[/ QUOTE ]

Advise you to change your insurers then!
Bishop Skinner double the Excess at night, that's all.

[/ QUOTE ]

Bishop Skinner didn't increase my excess. I'm covered for single handed sailing for passages not exceeding 24 hours or 250 miles. Requirement is to have a tiller pilot. Also if I'm crossing Lyme Bay, so actually outside the 12 mile limit, I'm still covered.
 
Re: Single handed insurance

We are looking for insurance at the moment and the favourite to date is Bay Marine Insurance, not only for price but also for the 18hrs single handed clause. Not going to do anything huge, so this seemed to endorse SH trips are OK.
All of this is abut managing risk and taking informed decisions.
 
Re: Single handed insurance

[ QUOTE ]
Advise you to change your insurers then!
Bishop Skinner double the Excess at night, that's all.

[/ QUOTE ]

Why? Firstly, I am very happy with my insurance. I have had to claim in the past and they gave me the very best service when I needed them most. Secondly, I didn't and don't want to singlehand at night. There are additional risks and so I can see that there could be legitimate reasons for insurance companies restricting solo night operations especially if the premiums reflect those restrictions.
 
Re: Single handed insurance

Advise you to change your insurers then!
Bishop Skinner double the Excess at night, that's all.
_________________________________________________

GW likewise and confirmed I had GPS and autopilot.
 
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