Lifeboat for tangled yachts?

[RogerJolly]

What's the thoughts on this one (lifeboat called out to tangled yachts in Newtown Creek):

YARMOUTH LIFEBOAT LAUNCHED TO TANGLED YACHTS AT NEWTOWN

I was anchored nearby and it was a spectacular affair, very noisy/slightly alarming too for late at night, with the lifeboat engines keeping station.

Life threatening though? Drifting yacht seemed well manned with four or so people who sounded experienced, from the snatches of overheard discussions. Would have thought they'd have just waited for the other boat's crew to turn up and sort
it themselves.

All this a casual conclusion without knowing the full facts of course.

 

[dom]

What's the thoughts on this one (lifeboat called out to tangled yachts in Newtown Creek):

YARMOUTH LIFEBOAT LAUNCHED TO TANGLED YACHTS AT NEWTOWN

I was anchored nearby and it was a spectacular affair, very noisy/slightly alarming too for late at night, with the lifeboat engines keeping station.

Life threatening though? Drifting yacht seemed well manned with four or so people who sounded experienced, from the snatches of overheard discussions. Would have thought they'd have just waited for the other boat's crew to turn up and sort
it themselves.

All this a casual conclusion without knowing the full facts of course.

The trouble with these threads is that so often there turns out to be a valid reason for calling the emergency services.

For example, what were the circumstances that led to some crew members ending up ashore?

 

[Hermit]

For example, what were the circumstances that led to some crew members ending up ashore?

Probably gone for a beer in the pub?

Feels a like an over-reaction to send an all-weather lifeboat to an anchoring snarl-up in a sheltered creek.

 

[bedouin]

An unmanned vessel dragging anchor sounds like a valid reason to call out the lifeboat - particularly if you are not sure if all the crew is accounted for.

 

[mainsail1]

More than once, yachts have drifted down Newtown Creek onto my boat and become tangled in my chain.
Not a big deal, just a chore at 2 am. Tom Cunliffe called it the Newtown Creek Pyjama Party as it happens so often due to poor holding ground.

 

[Stemar]

Been there, done that, though fortunately without tangling.

I wonder if the manned yacht called the CG in the hope that they'd be able to contact the owner, and CG tasked the lifeboat.

Feels a like an over-reaction to send an all-weather lifeboat to an anchoring snarl-up in a sheltered creek.

I'd put it in the "better safe than sorry" category. There's a strong current on the ebb which could dump both boats on the shingle banks or send them out into the Solent which, while not dangerous in itself, especially in benign conditions, could end up with a bit of a mess.

 

[oldmanofthehills]

I have been attended by the RNLI when only calling out a PanPan and on another occasion when asking the CG for advice about a port of refuge.

On the first occasion it was due to the lifeboat Sunday practicing nearby so gave them something "real" to play at.

The second occasion it was preemptive because CG were aware that my port of refuge was unexpectedly closed and there was a risk that with very light winds and broken engine I might get stuck near a lee shore before I could get to safety, and the LB didnt want to risk getting called out to us later in the middle of F8 at night. The Cox was very persuasive - " You have every right to attempt to sail onward by hanging up more canvas but it might suit us better if you attached this tow rope and we took you there" They were busy next day and few boats in trouble but they didnt have to worry about us.

 

[ctva]

RNLI can add lots to their 'Lives Saved' stats.

 

[C08]

I once inadertently layed my anchor there over another boat's chain(he had a lot out). When I started dragging and then tried to lift my anchor to relay it I lifted his anchor which surprised him and me!
Now that the isolated danger post which precisely marked the rock has been replaced by a buoy-how big or extensive is the rock(s)?

 

[LittleSister]

I, too, have had my 'life saved' 'person-assisted' by a lifeboat tow we were not asking for, and which we were initially not at all pleased to be on the receiving end of.

With the benefit of hindsight, our skipper could have been clearer with the coastguard about the reason for his call to them, but I can also see why the CG requested the lifeboat - much easier to tow us in while conditions were benign and we were wafting about in no immediate danger than to wait until we perhaps found ourselves in a pickle or a became hazard to commercial shipping.

Our embarrassment at having received the tow was quickly overtaken by relief that we were in harbour, after a long tiring and stressful trip, many hours earlier than would otherwise have been the case, and the skipper made a substantial donation of cash to the RNLI station and booze for the crew.

I would much rather the CG continued to err on the side of caution and pre-emptive action, than on the side of delay and reluctance to send assistance.

Without knowing the details of the incident the OP refers to there is no way I could criticise the CG, the RNLI or whoever called the CG.

 

[Bru]

RNLI can add lots to their 'Lives Saved' stats.

Except they won't unless there were actually lives saved

 

[glynd]

Was in there earlier on Sat, and there were a lot of boats there - looked like a rally.
Total speculation, wonder if they hadn't put enough line out as LW was about 4ish putting the issue around HW time

It's not like there was a lot of wind or anything

 

[Juan Twothree]

RNLI can add lots to their 'Lives Saved' stats.

No they don't.
When we fill in our online "service return" form, there's a question which asks if, in the opinion of the coxswain (or helm in the case of an ILB), any lives were saved.

If we say yes,then someone at HQ will look into the circumstances, and decide whether or not that was the case.

There's a big difference between "lives saved" and " persons assisted", hence both of these figures are quoted separately in there Rnli's annual stats.

 

[RogerJolly]

Been there, done that, though fortunately without tangling.

I wonder if the manned yacht called the CG in the hope that they'd be able to contact the owner, and CG tasked the lifeboat.


I'd put it in the "better safe than sorry" category. There's a strong current on the ebb which could dump both boats on the shingle banks or send them out into the Solent which, while not dangerous in itself, especially in benign conditions, could end up with a bit of a mess.

Yes, now I remember the original kerfuffle on the dragging boat started two or three hours earlier.

They probably thought "we'll give it a minute to see if they come back", but after a while with no show, and the tide starting to make, they probably decided to act before the whole thing turned really ugly. Might have also considered immediate action , but rejected it considering the risks of un-sticking the other boat's anchor (as per CO8's post) - bad news with no crew on it.

On the holding - I've shallow draft so anchor near the sides, where it's been more of a problem heaving the anchor back out of the mud than it dragging - wondering if there's less mud in the central channel - getting scoured away by the current more, with consequent weaker holding.

 

[mm42]

No they don't.
When we fill in our online "service return" form, there's a question which asks if, in the opinion of the coxswain (or helm in the case of an ILB), any lives were saved.

If we say yes,then someone at HQ will look into the circumstances, and decide whether or not that was the case.

There's a big difference between "lives saved" and " persons assisted", hence both of these figures are quoted separately in there Rnli's annual stats.

On the independent lifeboat a life is deemed saved if we hadn’t been there the person would have died. Not could have, might have, or possibly would have, it is that straightforward.

 

[DFL1010]

On the independent lifeboat a life is deemed saved if we hadn’t been there the person would have died. Not could have, might have, or possibly would have, it is that straightforward.

I'd be fascinated to learn how you determine to any degree of certainty this 'straightforward' fact.

 

[ctva]

Except they won't unless there were actually lives saved

No they don't.
When we fill in our online "service return" form, there's a question which asks if, in the opinion of the coxswain (or helm in the case of an ILB), any lives were saved.

If we say yes,then someone at HQ will look into the circumstances, and decide whether or not that was the case.

There's a big difference between "lives saved" and " persons assisted", hence both of these figures are quoted separately in there Rnli's annual stats.

Thanks, I sit corrected.

 

[Never Grumble]

No they don't.
When we fill in our online "service return" form, there's a question which asks if, in the opinion of the coxswain (or helm in the case of an ILB), any lives were saved.

If we say yes,then someone at HQ will look into the circumstances, and decide whether or not that was the case.

There's a big difference between "lives saved" and " persons assisted", hence both of these figures are quoted separately in there Rnli's annual stats.

Which is made clear if you watch the programme "saving lives at sea".

 

[rich]

I yachtsman in my harbor moved his Yacht and got tangled up in another mooring, apparently he called the Coast guard to request the lifeboat, saying that he was a member and needed there help.

 

[grumpy_o_g]

I'd be fascinated to learn how you determine to any degree of certainty this 'straightforward' fact.

I believe it's the criteria used to record stats that is meant as "straightforward" rather than whether or not anyone was in mortal danger.