Oh I'm looking forward

[iangrant]

Oh I\'m looking forward

..... to seeing the Sunsail charter lot in their designer sailing gear - dashing around the silent - with their life jackets inflated - The MCA have slapped a notice on Sunsail that the manual ones have to be worn blown up all the time..

Source YM first couple of page in..

Ian

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[charles_reed]

When my wife first went sailing

she used to wear her buoyancy aid (pre 150 newton) in the saloon and even in her bunk at night.

And that was in the Broads...

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[jimi]

Re: When my wife first went sailing

Sure it was a buoyancy jacket?

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[robp]

Re: Oh I\'m looking forward

Haven't read that yet. Is that immediate or a couple of weeks grace?

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[Talbot]

Re: Oh I\'m looking forward

Personnally I would not have an auto jacket unless in a boat that had a boom that was dangerous. I have been into the water on numerous occasions with different types of lifejacket, and much prefer to have control over the inflation. The MCA directive is crass stupidity by someone who does not understand what he has done. If you have a manual jacket and partially inflate it (which will be the trend otherwise it is difficult to work) and then pull the inflation cord, you run a high risk of destroying the lifejacket by over-inflation.
We wont even mention the fact that this directive seems to have been introduced without discussion or any introductory period because big brother might get annoyed.
This is our government taking the next step in control - whats next, a directive that all sailors will have to wear lifelines as soon as they leave their cabin, and will have to wear hard hats because of the danger of the boom! grr /forums/images/icons/crazy.gif

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[snowleopard]

Re: Oh I\'m looking forward

<I have been into the water on numerous occasions with different types of lifejacket>

i'd be a bit more careful who i sail with in future!

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[AlexL]

Re: Oh I\'m looking forward

the MCA diretive is totally nuts as it says that the lifejackets must be worn inflated IF worn - i.e most people will say bugger that and not wear them at all - mmm that really makes it safer now doesn't it! It interesting to see that the RYA agree with sunsail and got a broadside from the MCA for their troubles!
The trouble is alot of rediculous regulations from little hitlers on a power trip are being dressed up as 'safety' and / or 'security' which makes it political death for anybody to oppose them.

Perhaps Sunsail should offer to take the MCA staff out for day in a force 2 with inflated life jackets - that I would like to see

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[Talbot]

Re: Oh I\'m looking forward

None of these immersions was by accident, but planned for different reasons ( a number as the person to be rescued in safety boat training where I deliberately capsized a mirror dinghy)

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[Talbot]

Re: Oh I\'m looking forward

Probably would not make any difference unless they were used to being on a yacht - they would come back saying "I felt much safer wearing my jacket - so everyone must wear it"

although a flat calm really hot day might get their attention /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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[Twister_Ken]

Are you making a trip down South...

...just to see them. They don't do Sunsail round your way do they?

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[3hulls]

Re: Oh I\'m looking forward

Talbot, perhaps you should read the article a little more carefully before slagging off all and sundry. Sunsail supply oral inflation only lifejackets to their customers, quote "this is because the lifejackets Sunsail provides on board are orally inflated". I am not sure about you, but if I had fallen in the Solent at any time of the year bar the brief 2 months of summer we might be lucky enough to get, I would be unlikely to be able to expel 15 litres of air into my jacket, in oilies, while suprised, cold wet and trying to stay afloat. I'm not sure about you but I wouldn't put one of those jackets near my boat, let alone on an inexperienced crew and this issue is clearly identified in the lifejacket standard.

And that's assuming I had been told that there was no gas bottle and pull cord, which I certainly wasn't the last time I sailed on one of their boats. Its not just about unconcious people, but anyone that may be unlucky enough to fall overboard.

And I would also have to ask how you have any idea what experience those who work at the MCA have. Bearing in mind your complete lack of perception of the risks, do you think you would be a better judge of safety issues threatening inexperienced sailors paying large sums of money to sail on their boats and expecting to be safe?

Sometimes best not to judge anything or anyone too much on the truth you think you read in the press. We would all be in a much worse position if everyone did that.

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[rex]

Re: Oh I\'m looking forward

Are theses the same lot that nitpick at details but allowed ferries to sail with the bow doors open? Hmm, maybe I haven't much confidence in them either.

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