I'm going to regret this but:- The last time I was in a TSS...

[DJE]

I\'m going to regret this but:- The last time I was in a TSS...

I was crossing from Dover to Calais on a bright calm morning motoring at 5.5 knots. Just entered the first lane with a big white ship about 45 degrees off the port bow but passing ahead, and a large ferry coming up fast on the starboard quarter but passing clear down my starboard side. All looked fine until the VHF came to life:
"White ship in the West-going lane this is the ferry ***** of *****. You're too close sir; turn to Starboard and pass around my stern please."
"Ok sir turning to starboard now"
The white ship then turned to starboard and pointed straight at me. Distance about 2 miles and his speed about 15 knots.
What would you have done?

 

[A_7]

Re: I\'m going to regret this but:- The last time I was in a TSS...

Put the kettle on?

 

[Gin]

Re: I\'m going to regret this but:- The last time I was in a TSS...

expressed urgent but polite concerns by way of VHF about imminently /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gifbecoming a corned beef sandwich!!

 

[Guest]

Re: I\'m going to regret this but:- The last time I was in a TSS...

Well if he was pointing straight at you, then he would miss, you, as you're doing 5.5 knots and he's 2 miles away. Time to put the kettle on. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Guest]

Re: I\'m going to regret this but:- The last time I was in a TSS...

ooh looks like there will be 2 kettles on! Great minds and all that

 

[DJE]

Re: I\'m going to regret this but:- The last time I was in a TSS...

Quite possibly but it didn't feel like that at the time.

 

[Guest]

Re: I\'m going to regret this but:- The last time I was in a TSS...

For reassurance take a hand bearing on him and watch it change. You could also call him on the vhf and confirm he's aware of you and his intention to pass astern.

But the quickest way to motor out of his path is - straight ahead!

 

[michael_w]

Re: I\'m going to regret this but:- The last time I was in a TSS...

[ QUOTE ]

But the quickest way to motor out of his path is - straight ahead!

[/ QUOTE ]

No. Sink instead!

 

[Guest]

Re: I\'m going to regret this but:- The last time I was in a TSS...

[ QUOTE ]
No. Sink instead!

[/ QUOTE ]
That is rather the nuclear option.

BTW DJE - I just noticed the name of your boat!

 

[DJE]

Re: I\'m going to regret this but:- The last time I was in a TSS...

BTW DJE - I just noticed the name of your boat!

[/ QUOTE ] I think I've heard all the relevant jokes but always open to new ones.

 

[Sixpence]

Re: I\'m going to regret this but:- The last time I was in a TSS...

the last thing you'd do is ask on here at the time /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif you might end up turning around and just going home /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Guest]

Re: I\'m going to regret this but:- The last time I was in a TSS...

Sorry, I was only going to offer the obvious one re the white ship /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

What are the others? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[old_salt]

Re: I\'m going to regret this but:- The last time I was in a TSS...

The obvious has been stated above.
My two pennyworth to add to this debate is :-

The most important point is knowing when you are about to reach the point of no return and making a decision in good time to be able to avoid the last second panic decision which may very well be a mistake. There is nothing wrong in crossing in front of a large ship in a TSS if it is far enough to your starboard or port and you have the speed and power to do it safely. The point I am trying to make is knowing your vessel's capability and making a sound decision in good time and this has to be made with the next encounter in mind as well.
Unfortunately this only comes with time and experience. Whether you be a weekend yachty or a OOW on a 10000 tonner. The OOW will have spent a number of years as an apprentice before he gets a watch of his own and then he would be under the close eye of a Senior officer for his first trips. This is why it is prudent to get in sea time with more experienced yachtsmen as crew before setting blindly off in to the wild blue yonder on you own.

 

[yoty]

Re: I\'m going to regret this but:- The last time I was in a TSS...

You obviously survived... How?

 

[DJE]

Re: I\'m going to regret this but:- The last time I was in a TSS...

I spent about 30 seconds thinking "turning to port will send me the wrong way up the lane" then I turned 90 degrees to port and the white ship passed between me and the ferry. I only needed to hold the new heading for a few minutes until there was room for me to turn round his stern.

My more general point is that the Colregs really struggle when there are 3 or more vessels involved.

 

[graham]

Re: I\'m going to regret this but:- The last time I was in a TSS...

If he is off your port bow aiming straight at you at about 2 miles/15knots i would alter to Stbd to be at 90° to his course even though you would technically be the stand on vessel this would open up the bearing quicker and make you more visible to him, You will only have to sweat for about 8 minutes ,itll be all over then one way or the other. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Allways assuming that this doesnt foul you up with the ferry of course.

 

[DJE]

Re: I\'m going to regret this but:- The last time I was in a TSS...

[ QUOTE ]
Allways assuming that this doesnt foul you up with the ferry of course.

[/ QUOTE ]
That's what was worrying me the most. I didn't want to get any nearer to the ferry; I guessed what the white ship was doing and tried to make it easier for him.

 

[graham]

Re: I\'m going to regret this but:- The last time I was in a TSS...

.At the end of the day you made an early as possible decision which worked.

 

[MoodySabre]

Re: I\'m going to regret this but:- The last time I was in a TSS...

Don't let TimfromMersea read this - we've all been telling him not to turn to port! Hard to fault your move in the circumstances but perhaps the ferry should have taken you into account more fully given that, as overtaking vessel, he was give way to you.

As someone looking forward too his first channel crossing this year it is informative to read how others have coped and lived to tell us!

 

[simon_sluggett]

Re: I\'m going to regret this but:- The last time I was in a TSS...

Colregs are fine in the classroom but real life (and death)situations throw up all sorts of ifs and buts. Main thing is to take care of yourself as you are frankly insignificant to the big shipping companies.And if they sink a small boat they just put their poor shipsmaster in the dock to take the rap. Talking on the VHF is all very well, thats if they're listening and you can identify them amongst other vessels and make them understand your situation in time. Personally Im quite shy of using the VHF unless in an emergency so am adverse to this anyway. But if you were without power you would have to I guess.
I wouldnt worry about direction of travel in TSS when taking evasive action, just get out the way best you can and risk the wrath of the MCA later.