Mayday, Pan-pan, Securite.

[longjohnsilver]

Bigger boat?

Time to consider a bigger boat or not go out in rough seas?

Like most others here never had to make a mayday or panpan, long may that continue to be the case. The old saying always applies, if in doubt turn about. There's always another day.

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[Chris771]

Re: Bigger boat?

Have to agree with LJS on this one.

Much easier getting a quick rescue along south coast than in the Irish Sea.

In over 35 years of boating have never required rescuing, during training in both the MN and Offshore Industry it has always been emphasised that the only person you can always rely upon to rescue you when you need it is yourself.

As such I have always tended to carry a bit too much emergency/self rescue equipment. On the few occasions that problems have occurred the backups/tools/spares carried have always ensured that I have been able to limp home.

AS LJS says, if the weather is too rough there is always another day, much safer than expecting others to risk their lives rescuing you.

Ill advised ventures always result in others having to take unnecessary risks. I think that is one of the most important things I have learned, that the life I am risking will not just be my own if I have to rely upon others rescuing me.

I do not feel that the Coastguard and Lifeboat should be looked upon as the AA of the sea. They provide an invaluable service to mariners caught out in genuinely unavoidable circumstances.

There would probably be a lot less frivolous call outs if, after the event, the totally foolish were presented with the bill. It may even make them consider the wisdom of their voyage before setting out.

I have no wish to be a killjoy; I love boating as much as anyone; but feel that we should all learn the necessary skills to make simple repairs and take a good look at weather conditions, both present and forecast, before setting out. Having had the privilege of a lot of training provided by employers, it probably rolls off my tongue far too easily to say that everyone should be trained to cope with the conditions which they will subject themselves to.

Basically, the less training one has the more conservative one should be when it comes to putting to sea.

Chris

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[Observer]

Off course?

Dunno about that. He just said his engines had failed.

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[PhilF]

Re: Bigger boat?

I also must agree with Chris on this one.
Going out in rough seas in small boats is a risk and a potential danger for the rescuers.
Self imposed distress calls should be charged at a commercial rate.
If the weather unpredictably changes then thats something to consider, but going out in a 6 would seem to be asking for trouble in a 20 footer.

Phil

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[Oldhand]

Because I presume the originator is a professional running VHF courses on a commercial basis in which case he should have sufficient experience without having to request freebie advice.

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