inshore fishermen

[wotayottie]

Anchored in Oxwitch with insufficient diesel to make Cardiff and no breeze to substitute (or to be honest a complete dead noser) we were rescued by an inshore fisherman moored in the bay who happily sold us 50 litres of red and loaned us his funnel as well. To compound matters he used his big dinghy to deliver it to us - a truly helpful individual. So thanks to you, whoever you are, and if your're reading this forum. You saved us having to queue for ages to call in at Swansea on a sunny Sunday.

Got to say I've met 99 decent and helpful boaters for every obnoxious / unhelpful one. Mind you that last one was also an inshore fisherman based in Combe who reversed into our moored boat and then threatened violence

And before anyone gets a bit pious, it was a new boat delivery, it had no tank guage, and we had had to motor way more than could reasonably be expected.

 

[dt4134]

I have to admit that my experience of fishermen & commercial vessels has been mainly positive.

Ok, there's the odd exception, and of course I don't expect them to be fond of sunday drivers, but they generally behave OK.

Like everybody, I've numerous experiences of having to give way several times in succession to vessels fishing, but I expect that, their job often doesn't involve sailing in straight lines. On the other hand, I've seen a large trawler with nets deployed deliberately slow down to allow half a dozen racing boats with their spinnakers up to cross her bow.

Similarly, the local fishermen genuinely slow down to reduce their wash when passing the pontoons. OK it only helps a little as they have boats that would produce a lot of wash at 2kts, but it is the thought that counts and that should be appreciated.

I've the same sort of experiences with commercial vessels. Overwhelmingly they seem to obey the Collison Regs.

Even most motor boaters are ok, although I have had occasion to personally curse unto the seventh generation ones who have creamed through the fleet during a light airs race. But then it is hard for them to appreciate how difficult it is to get momentum in a F1 and how much distance you can lose before you get going again if a motor boater's wash takes you out.

There's even some blue ensign wearers that behave decently.

I know a lot of people whinge on these forums but my view is that the general level of competence and consideration for others at sea is far higher than you get on the roads.

 

[Sneds]

"Even most motor boaters are ok"

Now that might be going a bit far /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[dt4134]

"Now that might be going a bit far"

Yeah, Ok, maybe you're right. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif