Lobster Pots in Races

[DAKA]

Hypothetical question please.

I am thinking in particular to the large buoys semi submerged by the Races that look like torpedoes heading towards you in the likes of Alderney Race and Cap Griz Nez.

I think Dom once wrote that they were rigged to submerge, in that case is is possible to catch one on the props at 20+ knts ?
In theory the large buoy should float around the hull and in any event how can the prop get near the rope it should just bounce off the buoy ?

If any one has been stuck on one how do you get off ?

Even bolt croppers would not reach down to the props.

I have been on boats which have fouled loose floating lines and I know the potters can get caught but they only retrieve at slack tide ( I think).

 

[DepSol]

The ropes they use should not be of the floating variety, however they do have a tail attached to the bobber in most instances which can be up to 20 foot. When the tide is in full motion the bobber usual gets submerged by about 6 inches to a foot and yes you can catch it in your props which I found out on my return from Jersey one time.

You will not normally find bobbers in the race on spring tides only neaps as the gear moves around too much in Springs and the crabs don’t!

First thing is to put the boat in reverse quickly just enough to engage it for a second. I always found best way is to launch the dinghy tie it to the stern cleats lift the leg and then attend to it from the dinghy which is a much safer platform to work from and you are less likely to go for an unplanned swim.

 

[DAKA]

Thanks Dom, it is worse than I had thought.

There is a danger area up to 20 ft downstream and submerged that I wasn't aware of but now makes sense of our pot encounter several years ago.

I wouldn't want to be anchored stern to in the races /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif