TonyJones
Well-Known Member
WNS README FIRST PLEASE
The purpose of What Now Skip is to give forum members the opportunity of learning from each other's experiences and opinions. To that end, awkward boating scenarios are presented for discussion. WNS is not a test with replies measured against a predetermined ‘correct’ answer. In fact, in most cases, there is usually more than one solution to the posed scenario. Selected attributed posts will appear in the next issue of the magazine.
However, please read the scenario carefully as some of the information given may imply certain possibilities or restrictions on possible courses of action – without spelling them out specifically.
The author always tries to describe the situation as fully as possible but ambiguities sometimes arise. If you are unclear as to any particular aspect or require clarification of an issue – just ask.
Our virtual, mythical, elusive and plain unfortunate skipper is on a two week summer holiday cruise aboard his 48ft flybridge cruiser with his partner and two teenage sons. It is about four in the afternoon and the weather is set fine.
However, he is approaching a harbour in an area notorious for unmarked and illegal lobster pots. So he and his crew are being extra vigilant. The fact that he had rope cutters fitted to both shafts only a few weeks is reassuring.
Sure enough a small white half-gallon plastic container is soon spotted on the port bow, followed by another to starboard and two more further away. The four appear to be in an almost straight line. But there’s plenty of room to pass between any pair, so should he just carry on?
Having avoided that hazard, he is barely a mile from his destination when ‘kerlunk’, something wraps itself around the starboard prop and, despite the rope cutters, stops the engine.
He puts the other engine into neutral and peers over the side of the cockpit. And there, bobbing just below the chine is another of those pesky half-gallon milk containers.
According to the GPS, the boat is now stationary, despite the 2 knot tide. Things on board that might be helpful are a 3.5m RIB tender, a long boat hook, a toolkit that includes a hacksaw and buoyancy aids (as well as lifejackets) for all the crew. He and his sons are good swimmers.
How should he go about extracting himself from this predicament, not just physically but also in terms of overall procedure – with safety considerations uppermost, as ever? Should he report the incident when he gets ashore? If so, to whom? What authorities, if any, might be interested in such reports?
Best wishes
TJ
The purpose of What Now Skip is to give forum members the opportunity of learning from each other's experiences and opinions. To that end, awkward boating scenarios are presented for discussion. WNS is not a test with replies measured against a predetermined ‘correct’ answer. In fact, in most cases, there is usually more than one solution to the posed scenario. Selected attributed posts will appear in the next issue of the magazine.
However, please read the scenario carefully as some of the information given may imply certain possibilities or restrictions on possible courses of action – without spelling them out specifically.
The author always tries to describe the situation as fully as possible but ambiguities sometimes arise. If you are unclear as to any particular aspect or require clarification of an issue – just ask.
Our virtual, mythical, elusive and plain unfortunate skipper is on a two week summer holiday cruise aboard his 48ft flybridge cruiser with his partner and two teenage sons. It is about four in the afternoon and the weather is set fine.
However, he is approaching a harbour in an area notorious for unmarked and illegal lobster pots. So he and his crew are being extra vigilant. The fact that he had rope cutters fitted to both shafts only a few weeks is reassuring.
Sure enough a small white half-gallon plastic container is soon spotted on the port bow, followed by another to starboard and two more further away. The four appear to be in an almost straight line. But there’s plenty of room to pass between any pair, so should he just carry on?
Having avoided that hazard, he is barely a mile from his destination when ‘kerlunk’, something wraps itself around the starboard prop and, despite the rope cutters, stops the engine.
He puts the other engine into neutral and peers over the side of the cockpit. And there, bobbing just below the chine is another of those pesky half-gallon milk containers.
According to the GPS, the boat is now stationary, despite the 2 knot tide. Things on board that might be helpful are a 3.5m RIB tender, a long boat hook, a toolkit that includes a hacksaw and buoyancy aids (as well as lifejackets) for all the crew. He and his sons are good swimmers.
How should he go about extracting himself from this predicament, not just physically but also in terms of overall procedure – with safety considerations uppermost, as ever? Should he report the incident when he gets ashore? If so, to whom? What authorities, if any, might be interested in such reports?
Best wishes
TJ
