Never do a survey on a Saturday!

[tillergirl]

Busy at the Spitway by Roger Gaspar, on Flickr

 

[johnalison]

I pity these poor chaps trying to sail through the Spitway, and then up pops this bloke chugging round looking as if he's lost his hat, and then he turns round and goes back to where he started from.

 

[tillergirl]

I have been wrestling for hours trying to respond to write with 'summat' humorous. I failed

Bizarrely, while we were hoovering down there for 4 hours, we suddenly heard Dover CG talking to a boat with our name. We could only hear the CG side. It was obvious that the other boat was in trouble. Over to 67 and we hear the vessel was disabled. Usual series of questions and then revert to 16 for a Pan Pan for a "34ft vessel with blue hulll (like us) and white cabin (like us) disabled with gearbox failure asking for any assistance, expect shallow water". The Lat/Long was close by the NE end of the Gunfleet Sands. The locatgion was 10nm up tide of us so we didn't respond and about 4 or 5 minutes later, the CG announced that the Clacton Lifeboat was on route, later towed said boat to Titchmarsh and the Pan Pan was closed down. Quite odd, two boats with the same name close by. Fortunately we didn't pick up the conversation at a stage where we might have responded. Could have a bit confusing.

 

[Concerto]

I have been wrestling for hours trying to respond to write with 'summat' humorous. I failed

Bizarrely, while we were hoovering down there for 4 hours, we suddenly heard Dover CG talking to a boat with our name. We could only hear the CG side. It was obvious that the other boat was in trouble. Over to 67 and we hear the vessel was disabled. Usual series of questions and then revert to 16 for a Pan Pan for a "34ft vessel with blue hulll (like us) and white cabin (like us) disabled with gearbox failure asking for any assistance, expect shallow water". The Lat/Long was close by the NE end of the Gunfleet Sands. The locatgion was 10nm up tide of us so we didn't respond and about 4 or 5 minutes later, the CG announced that the Clacton Lifeboat was on route, later towed said boat to Titchmarsh and the Pan Pan was closed down. Quite odd, two boats with the same name close by. Fortunately we didn't pick up the conversation at a stage where we might have responded. Could have a bit confusing.

Such a story could not be made up as no one would believe you, so it is true.

 

[paris]

Busy at the Spitway by Roger Gaspar, on Flickr

One of them was me in Ilma Car. it was our last club cruise of the year to Bradwell. we saw you wizzing up and down and guessed it might of been you. glad it wasnt you with the Pan Pan shout, that was commented on in the pub as well that there must of been another boat with the same name

 

[tillergirl]

Ah, yes we saw you on the screen. There was one that required us to stop for a minute as we wanted to stick to a (relatively) straight line. Other occasions were avoided by an application of 'revs'. We did fear someone might be forced under the racing rules to tack suddenly. Actually, when we approached from the north, there was a largish cat sailing in the same direction so we called them up to tell them what we doing and that our course might seem a little odd; you carry on, we will avoid you. Then, Andy, my acting helmsman (Gladys had flunked out) who races, thought it might be a good idea to do a general call on 16 to explain. I did pick up the mike twice but trying to work out what to say I thought better of it as at that time it did need the two of us to see all of you in different directions.

Fortunate that the casualty was 10 miles away. Closer we would have had to stop working to assist (and we have abandoned two attempts already this year at the Spitway). It could have been quite funny - a 'wot on earth' moment at the CG: 'Seadog, Seadog, Seadog, this is Sea Dog, Sea Dog, Sea Dog over" (Note the subtly)

Not funny for the casualty; disabled close by the Gunfleet.

 

[johnalison]

Ah, yes we saw you on the screen. There was one that required us to stop for a minute as we wanted to stick to a (relatively) straight line. Other occasions were avoided by an application of 'revs'. We did fear someone might be forced under the racing rules to tack suddenly. Actually, when we approached from the north, there was a largish cat sailing in the same direction so we called them up to tell them what we doing and that our course might seem a little odd; you carry on, we will avoid you. Then, Andy, my acting helmsman (Gladys had flunked out) who races, thought it might be a good idea to do a general call on 16 to explain. I did pick up the mike twice but trying to work out what to say I thought better of it as at that time it did need the two of us to see all of you in different directions.

Fortunate that the casualty was 10 miles away. Closer we would have had to stop working to assist (and we have abandoned two attempts already this year at the Spitway). It could have been quite funny - a 'wot on earth' moment at the CG: 'Seadog, Seadog, Seadog, this is Sea Dog, Sea Dog, Sea Dog over" (Note the subtly)

Not funny for the casualty; disabled close by the Gunfleet.

In that position I think that I might have made a DSC, ie private, call to the coastguard to inform them of my presence and possible confusion.

 

[tillergirl]

Actually much simpler to use our call sing (sic) - mike, mike, uniform zulu 4. I trust you have all memorised your call signs?

 

[paris]

Actually much simpler to use our call sing (sic) - mike, mike, uniform zulu 4. I trust you have all memorised your call signs?

I have but haven't if it makes sense, mines Mere3 which for some reason has been retain in the grey matter since I got the boat and looked at the card by the radio.

 

[johnalison]

Actually much simpler to use our call sing (sic) - mike, mike, uniform zulu 4. I trust you have all memorised your call signs?

No! I haven't a clue , but it is written on a Dymo label nearby.

 

[tillergirl]

Gosh, Dymo label. H-tech stuff. You'll be using coloured paper charts soon.

 

[dolabriform]

Actually much simpler to use our call sing (sic) - mike, mike, uniform zulu 4. I trust you have all memorised your call signs?

wots a callsign ???

 

[johnalison]

wots a callsign ???

Something used by call girls I think.