Pan Pan

[bumblefish]

I am aware that I am not allowed to divulge details of communicatons overheard on marine VHf, but it wasn't my boat or radio and I have changed the names of places to hide the true identities, is that OK?
Anyway, we were just over 20M East of Dartmooth, making about 5kts, when we received a Pan Pan on the DSC, someone was 8M South of Berry Point and requesting help they were out of fuel and wanted 5 gallons or so, they were 'drifting'! There were two acknowledgements, a fishing vessel and Brixhamup Coastguard, in the end the Torbayline RNLI launched. We were heading in the direction of the stricken vessel and so kept a constant outlook for both the vessel and the RNLI. All we saw was a yacht making way under full sail and no motor vessel, which is what we guessed we were looking for. After some time we saw the RNLI, they headed off towards the sailing vessel, surely not we thought. Yes, the sailing vessel was out of fuel, plenty of wind though. The RNLI gently requested that the vessel drop all sail and follow instructions, Yes Sir, even the mizzen sail. They then had a tow into Brixhamup. Is this an appropriate use of the Pan Pan call, assorted opinions please?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Mirelle]

Well, I spent the Sunday before last sailing round from Brightlingsea to Woodbridge with no engine.

I could have attempted a repair before sailing, but I knew what was wrong, I needed a spare part that I could not get before 0900, by which time the tide would have gone, I wanted to get home and I did not want to miss my tide poking about under the cockpit.

Since this involved crossing the Harwich fairway with no engine (at low water, when commercial traffic is much less), maybe there are those who will say that I was irresponsible, and the yacht you saw was prudent?

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by Mirelle on 05/07/2003 10:47 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[billmacfarlane]

I can see the point of asking anyone in the vicinity for fuel, as it would be prudent to have some for entering a busy port. I really can't see the point of launching a lifeboat, as the yacht was quite happily sailing and there was no danger to either boat or life. Presumably the request to launch the lifeboat came form the Coastguard?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[billmacfarlane]

I know you sail a more traditional type of boat, but do have a sweep which has always struck me as a perfectly sensible piece of kit?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[snowleopard]

a couple of years ago we had some damage which resulted in a leak at deck level. we were 12m off spurn head so decided to motor in slowly to keep green water off the deck.

as a precaution we sent a pan pan to humber coastguard to let them know our situation. despite assuring them that we were in no danger they insisted on sending a lifeboat to escort us into the humber. while it was nice & reassuring to have the big orange boat nearby, we felt very guilty, especially as we were later told that they burn 100 gals of diesel an hour.

i wonder if there is a standing order to send the lifeboat regardless of level of danger?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Sybarite]

I wonder if it was because you notified them (correctly) in the form of a pan pan. They might react to this differently from a simple advice over Ch 16??

John

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Peppermint]

Re:Where\'s the choice

If you tell the CG your little problems it would take a brave man not to take action.
It's the world we live in. Imagine the uproar if they don't react and the situation deteriorates and greater risk ensues.

An instructor I know told me about a sailing school boat with a dud engine and no wind that anchored on the north shore of the Solent. Being aware of competitive ears listening on VHF the instructor phoned the CG just for their information. Did he need assistance they asked. No. About half an hour later his phone rings and it's the CG. The lifeboat was in the area on excercise and would just love to tow him into somewhere. Our man thinking that it would be good practise for both crews agreed and was towed to his base.

He was quite surprised when, about a year later he visited the lifeboat station to find his "rescue" on the wall with 5 lives saved.

If you give a man a gun don't be to amazed if he shoots it, If you give him a power drill holes will result so it's not to hard to understand that if you give a man a CG station and a great big Lifeboat he'll find things to do with them.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Sybarite]

I think it was irresponsible of the people not to have reserve fuel. I always carry at least two spare jerrycans including a 5l which never gets used because this is the get-me-back-to-port one.

On two occasions I arrived at St Mary's, Scilly, without a motor; once with a flat battery and another with clogged fuel filters. I telephoned ahead to the harbourmaster to ask him to keep an eye out for me in case I had trouble picking up a mooring under sail but luckily we didn't need their help. What I did do was to reef down the main and roll up most of the genoa so that I could manoeuvre quickly without the need for winches. Just like sailing a dinghy.

I think it should be part of all sailing training to know how to slow a boat down so that you can ease up into the wind and stop at a predetermined spot. I used to single hand a lot (in a smaller boat) but we would never use the engine when coming back onto the mooring. The racing keel boats (with no engine) were already packing up their sails by the time they picked up their moorings - well maybe a slight exaggeration.

The lifeboat should have claimed salvage.

John

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Mike2822425]

This seems to remind me of the man who bought a Land Rover in the London area (with return to home via RAC breakdown ect) and was transported to the west coast of Scotland with a "fuel problem", saved a lot of money! True story.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Mirelle]

The changing Coastguard

When I was a boy sailing my halfdecker down the Wallet against a southwesterly I tore out an old cotton mainsail off Colne Bar and had to run back towards Harwich. Dick Harman, best known for the smack ADC, who was running his tripper boat off Clacton beach, gave me a pull into the lee of Clacton pier. The auxiliary coastguard happened to be our greengrocer, who remarked to my father, "Saw your son having a bit of bother yesterday". "Hope he did'nt need the Lifeboat?" "Oh, no, I could see he knew what he was doing".

Today's CG in an ops room with radio but nothing but radio cannot make that sort of judgement and the Lifeboat always launch on a call from the CG. Maybe that is half the problem?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Peppermint]

If it runs true to form

this government will soon have the few CG left operating out of a tower block in Birmingham. Then the RNLI, a no cost to HMG, can get busy.

To be fair the RNLI do love a shout.

I think that not having A. A reserve fuel supply, B. The skill to cope under sail and C. not enough time to complete a passage without the engine causes more RNLI call outs than anything else.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[ashanta]

I to heard this Pan Pan on my way from Fowey to Brixham and like most readers here I was amazed. There was 15 knots of north westerly wind, sea state slight, visablity good and the vessel was described as Motor sailer by the coast guard. The RNLI vessel did not respond immediately as they would quite rightly assume they was no apparent danger. They departed one hour after the call. This vessel should have sailed to Brixham and not wasted the RNLI's precious time and more immortantly money to what ineffect was a fuel delivery service.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Ohdrat]

Re: Manoeuvreing under sail

quite agree that sailing crew should know how to slow down and manoeuvre, at close quarters under sail only.. It wasn't so long ago that all boats had long keels and no auxillary motor, admittedly they didn't have marina pontoons in the sense that we do now. There is a lot to be said for learning things like backing jibs / genoas to turn quickly, scandalizing mainsails ...and yes you can do this with a bermudan too, etc

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[milltech]

I was once "flagged down" somewhere off Cherbourg by a Colin Archer type that had been in the berth next to me at St. Vaast. They had run out of fuel, faulty reading, and I drained a gallon or so from my tank. Received a bottle of scotch at Alderney, quite a good trade really.

<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>

 

[Aeolus_IV]

Is this a sign of the times when a sailing boat, under sail in good conditions is not considered seaworth and needs as lifeboat to tow it back to port? I hope the RNLI have sent them a bill for the fuel wasted. Why could they not sail to a suitable harbour and request a tow in for the harbours work boat? Our guys in Eastbourne are always happy to do this if you don't feel up to sailing into the lock (probably not the best idea if it's busy)

Jeff.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Chris_Robb]

Landrover

My son bought his in Newcastle - had a drive shaft problem - and had it transported free to Sussex!!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[ThomasHome]

Why use a Pan Pan? surley this is a reasonable example, yes the boat should not have run out of fuel, but as he did, it has to be better to inform th CG of his situation when he was in control and have plenty of time, rather than waiting till the problem becomes a serious one and he was in danger, just because he was worried about wasting people's time and feeling daft.

I was told by an experienced instructor that the RNLI are happy to get out from time to time, I'm sure they'd rather deal with a Pan Pan than a Mayday.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Twister_Ken]

My understanding of a Pan Pan is when there is an urgent situation but one without imminent danger to life or property. I would suggest that a well-found sailing yacht in clement weather and safe waters but without fuel is not in urgent need of assitance, but could continue to a suitable port of refuge and either anchor or pick up a mooring under sail, and resolve the problem with the aid of a dinghy, a jerry can and folding money.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[Mirelle]

Engine-less

On Sunday afternoon we were anchored in a near-calm when two cruising boats sailed past on the flood. Neither has an engine - the Albert Strange yawls Sheila (Mike Burn) and Firefly (Jamie Clay), both coming from an Albert Strange Association meeting at Levington.

To suggest that either of these boats is an any way "unseaworthy" would be farcical - they both sail more miles in a season than most cruisers do.


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[ponapay]

urely a Securite

at the most.

A quick securite call warning the CG that when he gets to his nearest marina (no doubt) he might need some help. But even then only if ased for, why not try to get in and berth under sail?

I berth in foreign climes and almost everyone berth under sail - even motor sailers, and that is in a 700 berth marina where berthing is all bows to.

hy not try it, it saves fuel, is less polluting, is good for the soul and ALL sailors should be able to do it before they ever skipper any yacht.

<hr width=100% size=1>