Mindless idiots

[mad_boater]

Last Sunday we were set adrift from our moorings at 4am on the public moorings by the racecource on the river Severn in Worcester.The river was running quickly due to the rainfall and there are two bridges other moored boats and a weir downstream.The thing that saved us was our guests were woken by the bow rope being thrown by the idiots from a pedestrian bridge as we drifted by onto the back deck where they were sleeping in the cabin below.
I know now I should have put the anchor out but I was worried about it being fouled in any tree roots under the water.
Any one else had this happen to them?

 

[Observer]

Pleased to hear no harm done but that's very serious. It should be treated as seriously as shining a laser at an aircraft, which carries a charge of "reckless endangerment" or something of that sort.

 

[Geoffs]

Happened to me on the Thames at Oxford, last year. 3 am, ended up on Osney wier, but luckily no harm done.

Seems we've both been lucky, on day someone might not be.

 

[Elessar]

Yes.
We were untied at Reading last year at mid day whilst my wife was sunbathing on the foredeck. I was elsewhere.
They hadn't spotted her, she shouted so they stopped.
They came back in 5, and started again. She shouted again and came to the helm. The one said, "what's she going to do about it" and they continued. She blasted the horn and they legged it.
I always used my anchor overnight on the river. Now I always use it full stop, tree trunks or no.

 

[Searush]

Nice round Mud weights are used a lot on the broads - they are far less likely to snag. Would something like that be any use, or is the current too strong?

 

[AndieMac]

Same happens over here with young yobbos sneaking around at night after a few beers. We have a dog onboard, so he would alert us. Have seen folks with a length of SS cable or small SS chain inside some plastic hose pipe, attached from the midship cleat back to a pontoon cleat and padlocked.

 

[Elessar]

Nice round Mud weights are used a lot on the broads - they are far less likely to snag. Would something like that be any use, or is the current too strong?

It can be, but isn't normally. (talking Thames here not Severn as per the OP)
Not sure how a mud weight would fit in my stem fitting though!

 

[mad_boater]

The current is too strong on the Severn most of the times,but thanks anyway.

 

[Nautorius]

All too common!

As a result we also used a stake with a loop in it to moor up. Put the mooring ropes through the stake and tied onto the boat cleats. Only way to loosen it off is to climb on boat or take pressure off stake and remove that. We never left the 'tied end' anywhere else but on the boat!

Glad you are OK

Paul

 

[solitaire11]

was a problem at worcester years ago, personally i'd never stop there. or maybe use the new pontoons down by diglis? bit further to walk into town but a lot safer.

 

[tinkicker0]

Have heard of the same thing happening in York.

As far as your tree root problem, could you rig a tripping line?

 

[mad_boater]

thats a good idea

Thanks for the tripping rope idea. I will try it out