Magic_Sailor
New member
I was discussing sailing with a ladyfriend yesterday, who is not a sailor. We (SWMBO & I before you get the wrong idea) hadn't seen her for some time and she was interested by what we'd been doing in the sailing line. We were telling her about the various sailing courses we'd undertaken (DS and YM). As I described these particular experiences I realised that they have definitely made me a better and more confident sailor. (Christ he must have been bad I hear you say - virtually).
Anyway….some may remember that I had a bit of a moan about one of our stinkier colleagues in Chich a week or so ago and others followed up with similar stories - not just about stinkies but including raggies as well by God. And, today I note an article in PBO by James Stevens of the RYA talking in the main about accidents at sea and saying that;
"currently good sense prevails. Our legislators are keeping their distance etc etc….[keeping] a policy of not allowing the skipper to shed their responsibility etc etc".
But it's not just about tragic accidents which are few and far between is it. And, I don't see how taking some sort of "sailing exam" will absolve us of responsibility - which is his implication. I've come to the conclusion that's wrong. There are just too many plonkers around. Now I know the driving test hasn't cured the world of plonkers on the road - but it has improved our safety as anyone whose driven in countries that don't observe (carefully chosen word) this rule will know. How many of us would want to go back to a situation where no one takes a driving test?
If everyone were made to take the various courses, building from DS to YM etc, each level allowing a greater freedom then I think in general we'd end up better, more confident, more tolerant and more thoughtful skippers. Why do we baulk at that?
The Chichester chopper will probably only receive a written warning (according to Chich Harbourmaster). Some sort of licence however could mean say points, higher insurance premiums and maybe loss of that licence - like cars! I defy anybody to say that these sort of penalties don't make them more considerate on the road.
Don't forget, I'm talking overall improvement, not perfection.
OK - duck!
Magic
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Anyway….some may remember that I had a bit of a moan about one of our stinkier colleagues in Chich a week or so ago and others followed up with similar stories - not just about stinkies but including raggies as well by God. And, today I note an article in PBO by James Stevens of the RYA talking in the main about accidents at sea and saying that;
"currently good sense prevails. Our legislators are keeping their distance etc etc….[keeping] a policy of not allowing the skipper to shed their responsibility etc etc".
But it's not just about tragic accidents which are few and far between is it. And, I don't see how taking some sort of "sailing exam" will absolve us of responsibility - which is his implication. I've come to the conclusion that's wrong. There are just too many plonkers around. Now I know the driving test hasn't cured the world of plonkers on the road - but it has improved our safety as anyone whose driven in countries that don't observe (carefully chosen word) this rule will know. How many of us would want to go back to a situation where no one takes a driving test?
If everyone were made to take the various courses, building from DS to YM etc, each level allowing a greater freedom then I think in general we'd end up better, more confident, more tolerant and more thoughtful skippers. Why do we baulk at that?
The Chichester chopper will probably only receive a written warning (according to Chich Harbourmaster). Some sort of licence however could mean say points, higher insurance premiums and maybe loss of that licence - like cars! I defy anybody to say that these sort of penalties don't make them more considerate on the road.
Don't forget, I'm talking overall improvement, not perfection.
OK - duck!
Magic
<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://hometown.aol.co.uk/geoffwestgarth/myhomepage/travelwriting.html>Click for website!</A>