rich
Well-known member
Dear sir,
I would like to make a formal complaint about a Condor ferry and the seamanship of it's Captain.
On Thursday 8th May I was travelling from Jersey to Granville in my wooden motor cruiser Hermees. The top speed of my boat is 7-8 knots, and although I keep a good look out, it leaves me with limited options should I need to get out of trouble quickly. At 18.25 I was just approaching the N-E Minquiers Buoy and was aware of a Condor coming up fast behind me, and as it was to go around the buoy to make it's way to St. Malo, and I was to go straight on, I tried to contact it by radio to inform them of my course. However I received no answer. I had just got past the buoy when to my alarm the Condor swerved at full speed between the buoy and my vessel. The gap between the buoy and Hermees was less than 50 yards, and the wash from the Condor could easily have swamped the open cockpit of my boat from the stern. However I immediately turned to face the wake, which was difficult as there was hardly and room to turn, due to the Condor rounding the buoy directly behind me.
My boat leapt up into the air as we hit the wake, but luckily my wife and 7 year old daughter and myself were unharmed. I again tried to contact the Condor by radio to complain, but had no reply - I hope that they keep a listening watch on Channel 16 even if they never reply to other boats.
I then contacted Jersey Radio on 16 and informed the duty officer of the recent danger, and he suggested I get in touch with the harbour office.
I realise that Condor Ferries have a schedule to keep to and are a commercial company, but it would not have made much difference to his arrival time if he had slowed down for a minute to allow us to clear the buoy. As it is I would classify this on a road as dangerous driving, and probably even worse at sea, as we were a long way from assistance, had we needed any.
I would appreciate a reply to this e-mail, and should you need any more details I can be contacted on xxxxxx
Yours sincerely,
What do the forum think, was i right to make a fuss!
<hr width=100% size=1>rich
) <P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by rich on 13/05/2003 14:25 (server time).</FONT></P>
I would like to make a formal complaint about a Condor ferry and the seamanship of it's Captain.
On Thursday 8th May I was travelling from Jersey to Granville in my wooden motor cruiser Hermees. The top speed of my boat is 7-8 knots, and although I keep a good look out, it leaves me with limited options should I need to get out of trouble quickly. At 18.25 I was just approaching the N-E Minquiers Buoy and was aware of a Condor coming up fast behind me, and as it was to go around the buoy to make it's way to St. Malo, and I was to go straight on, I tried to contact it by radio to inform them of my course. However I received no answer. I had just got past the buoy when to my alarm the Condor swerved at full speed between the buoy and my vessel. The gap between the buoy and Hermees was less than 50 yards, and the wash from the Condor could easily have swamped the open cockpit of my boat from the stern. However I immediately turned to face the wake, which was difficult as there was hardly and room to turn, due to the Condor rounding the buoy directly behind me.
My boat leapt up into the air as we hit the wake, but luckily my wife and 7 year old daughter and myself were unharmed. I again tried to contact the Condor by radio to complain, but had no reply - I hope that they keep a listening watch on Channel 16 even if they never reply to other boats.
I then contacted Jersey Radio on 16 and informed the duty officer of the recent danger, and he suggested I get in touch with the harbour office.
I realise that Condor Ferries have a schedule to keep to and are a commercial company, but it would not have made much difference to his arrival time if he had slowed down for a minute to allow us to clear the buoy. As it is I would classify this on a road as dangerous driving, and probably even worse at sea, as we were a long way from assistance, had we needed any.
I would appreciate a reply to this e-mail, and should you need any more details I can be contacted on xxxxxx
Yours sincerely,
What do the forum think, was i right to make a fuss!
<hr width=100% size=1>rich
) <P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by rich on 13/05/2003 14:25 (server time).</FONT></P>
