It's 'elf 'n' safety mate!

[Cobra]

Popped over to the boat yesterday just to make sure that everything was all in order and ready for a final sail next week. A nice warm day with a gentle breeze...perfect!

Launched the dinghy almost top of tide so a pleasant gentle row down the South Channel. Looking out into the river I could see a large coaster slowly making the turn into Brightlingsea Creek...no worries...I will almost be alongside 'Pagan Lady' on her mooring before he passes the town jetty.

Apparently not!

The duty Assistant Harbour Master buzzing around in one of the harbour launches was busy keeping boats clear of the channel. Two Avon type dinghies with outboards were being held on the pontoons, whilst I and another guy were being held on the town jetty. OK, I was rowing and the other guy had an outboard, but having to sit and watch this blasted coaster proceed up the creek at a stately 2-3 knots for about 10 minutes while 'jobsworth' buzzes backwards and forwards over the creek ensuring clear passage, priceless. The coaster was being escorted in by the pilot launch 'Dracula', but the bit that amused me was the Sailing Club were racing and dinghies were sailing right alongside said coaster but apparently that was OK?

Don't get me wrong, I fully understand that a vessel constrained by draught or manoeuvrability has to be given sea room, but I did feel this was a bit of overkill!

 

[fredrussell]

A ship issued a very long and ‘angry’ blast at dinghies racing off Woolverstone on the Orwell yesterday. Quite a common occurrence. I call it the hoot of shame.

 

[Daydream believer]

Don't get me wrong, I fully understand that a vessel constrained by draught or manoeuvrability has to be given sea room, but I did feel this was a bit of overkill!

Like most on this forum, I did not see the event. Hence, only have your description, edited to suit you.
But one has to ask:-
So if something had gone wrong, what would have been the outcome??
The HM had control over tenders crossing IN FRONT of the vessel. Do dinghies at the SIDE pose such a threat?
Is it really such a big deal that you had to wait 10 mins?

 

[dunedin]

Is it really such a big deal that you had to wait 10 mins?

+1. And how many minutes did you lose typing and posting your grump?

 

[Daydream believer]

+1. And how many minutes did you lose typing and posting your grump?

What in my post suggested that I was "grumpy"? Pray tell me. All I did was make an observation as part of the discussion. Or am I not allowed to post a view within the debate, if it does not agree with you?

 

[Cobra]

Daydream Believer, as you say, it was only 10 minutes and it was a pleasant day. However, having been on the waters of the Colne for 60+years, I did feel that the pre-pubescent yoof who was apparently the duty assistant harbour master was applying a wee bit of overkill to a non dangerous situation.

Dunedin...if I didn't have free time I wouldn't have wasted my time posting in the first place, so your first point is irrelevant. Your second comment regarding it being a 'grump'...sorry bud...wrong again! It was a simple observation on overkill!

 

[seivadnehpets]

Popped over to the boat yesterday just to make sure that everything was all in order and ready for a final sail next week. A nice warm day with a gentle breeze...perfect!

Launched the dinghy almost top of tide so a pleasant gentle row down the South Channel. Looking out into the river I could see a large coaster slowly making the turn into Brightlingsea Creek...no worries...I will almost be alongside 'Pagan Lady' on her mooring before he passes the town jetty.

Apparently not!

The duty Assistant Harbour Master buzzing around in one of the harbour launches was busy keeping boats clear of the channel. Two Avon type dinghies with outboards were being held on the pontoons, whilst I and another guy were being held on the town jetty. OK, I was rowing and the other guy had an outboard, but having to sit and watch this blasted coaster proceed up the creek at a stately 2-3 knots for about 10 minutes while 'jobsworth' buzzes backwards and forwards over the creek ensuring clear passage, priceless. The coaster was being escorted in by the pilot launch 'Dracula', but the bit that amused me was the Sailing Club were racing and dinghies were sailing right alongside said coaster but apparently that was OK?

Don't get me wrong, I fully understand that a vessel constrained by draught or manoeuvrability has to be given sea room, but I did feel this was a bit of overkill!

I don’t know if it’s relevant, but I was once bumming around, sailing around Hoo Island on the Medway, and as I emerged at Folly Point, my club were racing round no24, and I hadn’t realised that that effectively shifted the channel northwards. So in my inexperience I didn’t realise I was coming across the channel, and I didn’t look for the yacht that hit me.
Perhaps the operation which you considered yourself a victim of was, in part, a training exercise.
It’s worth remembering officials responsible for risk assessments like these have to consider unforeseen developments.

 

[Daydream believer]

I did feel that the pre-pubescent yoof who was apparently the duty assistant harbour master was applying a wee bit of overkill to a non dangerous situation.

Do you not feel that is an unfair insult to the person acting as assistant HM? I used to get totally fed up with the idiots who used to think that just because someone is young they are not capable. The person was probably following instruction, as issued- What is wrong with that? In many cases they are more capable than those of more mature years.
I see this sort of comment aimed at the "not so old", only too often .
If one is good enough ( They have to be good enough of course) one is old enough & it is totally wrong for dodery old twats to just sling jealous insults in their direction, because they are steeped in outdated tradition. A tradition that says one has to do something for years before they can be considered "capable"; inspite of their ability to absorb things quickly.
Now, someone is going to tell us about the untrained useless young. Well, note that I qualified my prose with :-
"They have to be good enough of course". So do not bother to waste your time with counter arguements unless recognising that point , -----please

 

[dunedin]

What in my post suggested that I was "grumpy"? Pray tell me. All I did was make an observation as part of the discussion. Or am I not allowed to post a view within the debate, if it does not agree with you?

I was agreeing with your sentiment - ‘‘twas the OP I was referring to, composing a new thread about a 10 minute delay to his life

 

[MikeBz]

I'm quite suprised at some of the responses here. I think that if someone is qualified/competent/experienced enough to be put in the position of controlling when people in various craft can cross 100m of creek then they should be able to make a reasoned judgement as to the proximity in time of the approaching danger. Better to be safe than sorry yes, but you could apply that argument ad absurdem and empty the creek 2 hours before the ship arrives.

Back in the day we used to have many tens of dinghies racing up to Wivenhoe or Rowedge for their respective regattas. Approaching Wivenhoe the water is very restricted, when a coaster going to/from Colchester came along everyone just automatically got out of the way - no panic, nobody died.

 

[Daydream believer]

I'm quite suprised at some of the responses here. I think that if someone is qualified/competent/experienced enough to be put in the position of controlling when people in various craft can cross 100m of creek then they should be able to make a reasoned judgement as to the proximity in time of the approaching danger. Better to be safe than sorry yes,

Yes. But with all due respect, who is to say that YOU are qualified. We only have your judgement on that matter.
I ask , because that is one question the prosecuting party might reasonably ask & standing there with a silly grin on one's face will not hack it.

 

[Cobra]

Do you not feel that is an unfair insult to the person acting as assistant HM? I used to get totally fed up with the idiots who used to think that just because someone is young they are not capable. The person was probably following instruction, as issued- What is wrong with that? In many cases they are more capable than those of more mature years.

Actually I will agree that perhaps my comment was a tad unfair...I am sure that he is a very capable young person who almost certainly holds his RYA Powerboat 2 qualification. As MikeBz says above with his position he should be able to make a judgement call on whether or not it is safe to cross 100m of water in front of a slow moving vessel nearly 1/4 mile away!

If one is good enough ( They have to be good enough of course) one is old enough & it is totally wrong for dodery old twats to just sling jealous insults in their direction, because they are steeped in outdated tradition. A tradition that says one has to do something for years before they can be considered "capable"; inspite of their ability to absorb things quickly.
Now, someone is going to tell us about the untrained useless young. Well, note that I qualified my prose with :-
"They have to be good enough of course". So do not bother to waste your time with counter arguements unless recognising that point , -----please

As I have said, I have absolutely no doubt that his RYA Powerboat Level 2 and almost certainly his RYA First Aid and RYA Survival at Sea courses will make him infinitely more capable at judging distance and speed than a "Doddery old Twat" who was definitely not slinging any jealous insults as he would not get out of bed for the pittance the Harbour employees get paid!
Said "Doddery old twat" was just making an observation that maybe the said Harbour employees judgement was somewhat lacking?

 

[Misterbreeze]

I watched this ship manoeuvre from the safety of Pyefleet Creek, and my only comment is that the skill it must take is breathtaking. If I was the skipper I'd be grateful for any help to clear the way that I could get, not that much could be done if someone chose to dash across the bows, but knowing the way ahead is clear must help relieve the stress if nothing else.

 

[Poecheng]

A ship issued a very long and ‘angry’ blast at dinghies racing off Woolverstone on the Orwell yesterday. Quite a common occurrence. I call it the hoot of shame.

We were on a mooring at Pin Mill and that was quite some blast. The ship had given a large single warning blast as it was approaching Pin Mill so gave ample warning to those ahead who later got the five blasts.

 

[Bigplumbs]

Actually I will agree that perhaps my comment was a tad unfair...I am sure that he is a very capable young person who almost certainly holds his RYA Powerboat 2 qualification. As MikeBz says above with his position he should be able to make a judgement call on whether or not it is safe to cross 100m of water in front of a slow moving vessel nearly 1/4 mile away!


As I have said, I have absolutely no doubt that his RYA Powerboat Level 2 and almost certainly his RYA First Aid and RYA Survival at Sea courses will make him infinitely more capable at judging distance and speed than a "Doddery old Twat" who was definitely not slinging any jealous insults as he would not get out of bed for the pittance the Harbour employees get paid!
Said "Doddery old twat" was just making an observation that maybe the said Harbour employees judgement was somewhat lacking?

Continuing with the insults I see

 

[Cobra]

Continuing with the insults I see

Au contraire! If you read the post in context, I was actually quoting @Daydream believer who implied I was a "Doddery old twat" in post number 8...I was just agreeing that maybe a 22 year old who has a couple of RYA certificates under his belt (same ones I have BTW together with YM Offshore which I know for a fact he doesn't!) was infinitely more experienced on the waters of Brightlingsea Creek than said "Doddery old twat". Bored with this now!

 

[Daydream believer]

Au contraire! If you read the post in context, I was actually quoting @Daydream believer who implied I was a "Doddery old twat" in post number 8...I was just agreeing that maybe a 22 year old who has a couple of RYA certificates under his belt (same ones I have BTW together with YM Offshore which I know for a fact he doesn't!) was infinitely more experienced on the waters of Brightlingsea Creek than said "Doddery old twat". Bored with this now!

Just be aware that My post was a generalisation. You should read it again. I did NOT expressly refer to you.
I was referring to those who decry the abilities of the young because of their age. You can decide if you are guilty of that or not.. Whether you come under the "doddery old twat" banner is for you to decide. But in any event you insulted the HM by referring to him as a "jobsworth" & that was wrong. Hence my post in defence of the young in general.
But I agree, I am becoming bored with your post as well.

 

[Cobra]

Daydream Believer, I have to agree...I was just a bit narked at the time!

Being told to sit and wait for 10 minutes was a tad annoying when considering how benign the conditions were that day (almost calm) and the relatively short distance of no more than 50 yards across the channel the coaster was traversing, but I agree with you, the assistant Harbour Master had a job to do and he was no doubt following instructions from above, hence why I stayed put...I am not going to make anyone who works on the waters life difficult when after all I only use it for pleasure.

Perhaps as my wife says I am just becoming a grumpy old man?!!!

 

[sailorman]

Au contraire! If you read the post in context, I was actually quoting @Daydream believer who implied I was a "Doddery old twat" in post number 8...I was just agreeing that maybe a 22 year old who has a couple of RYA certificates under his belt (same ones I have BTW together with YM Offshore which I know for a fact he doesn't!) was infinitely more experienced on the waters of Brightlingsea Creek than said "Doddery old twat". Bored with this now!

oh I say, I i doff my breton ht to you, I Sir?

 

[Chalk]

That is such a great insult! Love it!