Man Over Board

What a scary experience, well done for helping to retrieve him.

The power of a tidal stream if not handled properly is amazing. We had an illustration of it this year in Southwold - no-one overboard thankfully - when a yacht tried to depart when the ebb was running hard, 5-6 knots at springs. They let the wrong lines go and she ended up broadside on with the engine running flat out astern and the stern line bar tight. Only the intervention of the HM using his launch to push the yacht back alongside saved the day. We were immediately downstream and hoping that nothing failed!
 
I have to say that I owe so much to MBM cruises and Tom Gregory and Kim Hollamby who both made me think about arrival and departure. Their first question was always, 'which is affecting the boat more, the tide of the wind?' The second question would be 'what sequence would you cast the warps off (or on)?'

Having to think and plan rather than arrive and shout at the crew, was great tuition. It's enabled Lin and I to handle Play d'eau without panic and shouts. All is now done by previous discussion and hand signals.

Thanks Tom and Kim.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top