PanPan on Mon 4th, off Wootten Creek- Thank You

[mickywillis]

I had cause to make a call to Solent Coastguard last week whilst out on Zara, our Westerly Pageant, returning from Newtown Creek heading towards Ryde.
We had managed to get past Cowes, but it was a bit bangy crashy for Zara and Mrs W was a bit nervous. We decided to motorsail towards Ryde, but as we reached the Ferry Channel at Wootten, our ususally reliable Yanmar 1GM10 failed. The wind was directly on our nose and we struggled to get Zara to sail to windward as the tide was running stronger than the wind. Mrs W did the best she could to hold us out of the Ferry channel, whilst I tried to get the engine running again. Attempts at starting her after beleding air from the fuel system proved fruitless as the motor would run for about 2 -3 mins and then die away again. After about 10mins, we were still near the channel, so decided to make a Pan Pan to the CG, mainly to warn of our predicament and also to pass the message onto the Wightlink Ferry operators that we had an issue.
Several yachts responded to the call, one of which was at the Royal Victoria YC and offered to assist us. Unfortunately I cannot remember the name of the yacht, but may I say Thank You for offering assistance, even though we were a bit further out than I think you thought!!
Solent CG suggested we drop anchor, but our concern was getting out of the way of the ferries, so we turned away from the wind and ran downwind for a short time. The CG then informed us that the Ryde Inshore Lifeboat were in the area and would tow us back to Ryde. Within about 10mins, the crew had located us and took us under tow to Ryde.

I'd just like to say a really big thank you to all persons involved, including Ryde Inshore Lifeboat Crews, Solent Coastguard who were brilliant in keeping us informed of actions being taken, the other vessels which responded to our call with offers of assistance, Dave the Harbourmaster at Ryde, who was fantastic at accomodating us and putting us in touch with Marine Engineer Gary, who dropped what he was doing and came over to assist with repairs to the engine.
This being only our 2nd full season of boat ownership, our experience has been one of a very good community of people, who are willing to help those with problems, even at the possibility of spoiling their enjoyment of their hobby.
Whether the PanPan call was strictly necessary is another topic (possibly a Securite call could have been made?) but given the circumstances, I felt that was our best option. Mrs W was very upset that we had a problem, the call to the CG gave her confidence and calmed her down. She was able to sail the boat, whilst I made the call/attempted repairs, confident in the knowledge that someone was aware of our problem and that help would be on its way. The Ryde rescue crew were happy that we made the call as they said, its better to inform them than not to and a minor incident escalates into a major problem (and they were a bit bored!!)
The problem with the engine turned out to be air being drawn into the fuel lines at the various connections from the tank to the engine filter and also the beginnings of diesel bug in the tank. Gary was able to remove the tank (its only 32 ltrs) and clean it out, filter the remaining fuel and add some new to get us home. He also remade the fuel feed pipework from tank to engine, which seems to have cured our problems as the engine ran fine on the journey home.

 

[Norman_E]

I think a Pan Pan was absolutely right in the circumstances. You were not in immediate danger requiring a Mayday, but even if you could have sailed off downwind you still had the problem of getting into a safe berth without an engine, therefore in my opinion you did the best thing. Glad to hear that you are OK and the problem is sorted.

 

[davidpbo]

Glad it all turned out well for you.

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

Good all round and Mrs W deserves a big 'well done' and should have gained confidence that she can cope and cofidence in your decisions.

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

Ok, let me be the first to post the other view then.

Your engine stopped.
You werent in any real danger.
You were on a sailing boat.
You could run downwind and pick somewhere nice to anchor.

Despite this you used a lifeboat for a tow.

This is why lifeboats are charity funded, not paid by taxes. Many tax payers would not have been happy with that expense.

Discuss

Oh yes, I too am glad you are OK.

 

[SimbaDog]

Ok, let me be the first to post the other view then.

Your engine stopped.
You werent in any real danger.
You were on a sailing boat.
You could run downwind and pick somewhere nice to anchor.

Despite this you used a lifeboat for a tow.

This is why lifeboats are charity funded, not paid by taxes. Many tax payers would not have been happy with that expense.

Discuss

Oh yes, I too am glad you are OK.

Lets hope you never get into trouble then

 

[Rigger Mortice]

Ok, let me be the first to post the other view then.

Your engine stopped.
You werent in any real danger.
You were on a sailing boat.
You could run downwind and pick somewhere nice to anchor.

Despite this you used a lifeboat for a tow.

This is why lifeboats are charity funded, not paid by taxes. Many tax payers would not have been happy with that expense.

Discuss

Oh yes, I too am glad you are OK.

A bit harsh

Only OP's second season of ownership.
Crew was obviously very nervous.
He's already questioned whether a PanPan was really needed.
Happy outcome.
OP has come on here to tell of his experience in a level headed way.
He's obviously learnt a little more about boating.

Whoever paid for the lifeboat I reckon it's a good result. I can think of far worse expenditures which we as tax payers end up with.

 

[MrCramp]

Without doubt you did the right thing. Most people would give you a tow if they are aware of your engine failure in those circumstances. You were trying to sort out the problem yourself which some people would not attempt. Most people reading your post appear to take my view. Well done.

 

[lustyd]

Ok, let me be the first to post the other view then.

Your engine stopped.
You werent in any real danger.
You were on a sailing boat.
You could run downwind and pick somewhere nice to anchor.

Despite this you used a lifeboat for a tow.

This is why lifeboats are charity funded, not paid by taxes. Many tax payers would not have been happy with that expense.

Discuss

Oh yes, I too am glad you are OK.

In which case the ILB crew have a lot to answer for, not the OP. From reading the above, the OP didn't request a lifeboat but rather called the CG to allow them to warn ferries. I have done the same in the past, and a PAN PAN is the correct course of action. When we called to warn of our situation an ILB came and towed us despite telling the CG that we were quite happy sailing and that we were under control.
Just because an ILB helped does not mean that a yacht is wasting resources or even that they wanted the help (although probably glad of it). The ILB was in the area and I'm sure they were happy with a bit of practice and therefore offered to help out. In these situations when the lifeboat offers to help it's hard to say no. It's also a good recruiting strategy - I started a direct debit shortly afterwards for an offshore membership
Cheers
Dave

 

[mickywillis]

Ok, let me be the first to post the other view then.

Your engine stopped.
You werent in any real danger.
You were on a sailing boat.
You could run downwind and pick somewhere nice to anchor.

Despite this you used a lifeboat for a tow.

This is why lifeboats are charity funded, not paid by taxes. Many tax payers would not have been happy with that expense.

Discuss

Oh yes, I too am glad you are OK.

Thank you for your best wishes.
Fully appreciate your comments
Only danger in reality was from the Wightlink Ferries. They are obviously a bit bigger than 23ft. I wanted them to be aware of my situation, visa vie a call to the Coastguard.
I am 100% sure any of the other vessels standing by would have offered assistance, either by way of a tow or assistance in repairing fault (which wouldn't have been easy given the reason for the breakdown) It was the CG who offered the assistance and Ryde rescue who offered the tow.
Ryde Inshore Rescue is a charitable organisation, not funded by taxpayers, merely by donations. Hence Mrs W walking down to the station later in the afternoon, making a contribution to the service, thanking the crew who attended and dropping of some liquid refreshments for their "off duty" time.

Many thanks to forum members who have confirmed my actions, it certainly makes me appreciate the work of Rescue services around the UK.
Lessons learnt, knowledge gained.
Interestingly, Ryde Rescue asked me about the emergency equipment available on our boat and we ticked all the boxes, with the exception of AIS onboard. They were suitably impressed with the amount of safety and emergency equipment available on Zara. They commented on how many people don't even have lifejackets or buoyancy aids onboard!!

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

You were absolutely right to warn the isle of Wight ferries. Several years ago, whilst sailing in the middle of the Solent I had one of those "should I stand on or give way" decisions to make whilst sailing. I held my course until the last minute and eventually tacked around the back of the ferry to avoid a collision.

I called the CG and reported the incident as I thought the ferry skipper was way out of line. He could easily have avoided us. Those things can swivel like break dancers. ( I know as I have helmed one).

A few minutes later the captain of the ferry called me on VHF and apologised. He said "I was in his blind spot"

Bit worrying to know that a ferry in perhaps the busiest seaway in the UK has a blind spot forward of his beam!!!!!

 

[silver-fox]

Ok, let me be the first to post the other view then.

Your engine stopped.
You werent in any real danger.
You were on a sailing boat.
You could run downwind and pick somewhere nice to anchor.

.

Agree with the analysis above .

I too am glad no one was hurt but I do have severe reservations about your decsion to put out a PAN PAN.

On balance, it seems you put out a PAN PAN because you couldn't make your port of choice under engine and when other available options that may have been selected such as an alternative destination would have enabled you to resolve the situation without assistance.

Faced with similar engine problems in similar situation we anchored overnight until circumstances better suited an approach under sail. We then contacted the marina in question to advise them I would shortly be coming in under sail and hence would have reduced manoeuvrability in a confined channel.

Both SWMBO and I were happy with this approach. We hold the view that when you take a boat out it is your responsibility to make sure you can bring it back unassisted and that outside assistance should only be sought in extreme circumstances.

Speaking generally, I have a real concern that over frequent invocation of PAN PAN and MAYDAY procedures will lead to more and more heavy handed bureaucracy and legislation.

 

[lustyd]

Agree with the analysis above .

I too am glad no one was hurt but I do have severe reservations about your decsion to put out a PAN PAN.

On balance, it seems you put out a PAN PAN because you couldn't make your port of choice under engine and when other available options that may have been selected such as an alternative destination would have enabled you to resolve the situation without assistance.

Faced with similar engine problems in similar situation we anchored overnight until circumstances better suited an approach under sail. We then contacted the marina in question to advise them I would shortly be coming in under sail and hence would have reduced manoeuvrability in a confined channel.

Both SWMBO and I were happy with this approach. We hold the view that when you take a boat out it is your responsibility to make sure you can bring it back unassisted and that outside assistance should only be sought in extreme circumstances.

Speaking generally, I have a real concern that over frequent invocation of PAN PAN and MAYDAY procedures will lead to more and more heavy handed bureaucracy and legislation.

Nowhere in the post did they say they were seeking help. It is the responsible thing to do in a busy harbour to send out a PAN PAN to alert other vessels that you are having difficulty. The OP put out a call just like your own one advising of reduced manoeuvrability in the channel where large ferries operate. It was not their fault, therefore, that outside assistance decided to come along even though it was welcome.
If you look up what a PAN PAN is you'll find that ALL definitions cover the situation described in the original post. By definition, this call is not an emergency and is not asking for immediate assistance.

How would you have reacted if when you alerted the harbour they sent out a tow, or the ILB overheard and gave you a tow?

 

[Talbot]

Regardless of right or wrong technically (and I believe it was right), The fact that this was only the second season, and SWMBO was nervous, but was reassured that you had made the call is the dominating argument in favour of your action.

IMHO well done.

It is far better to let people know what is going on, than to pretend all is well until it is too late.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

I must admit that I wondered about the relevance of a Pan Pan, however I looked Pan Pan up in Wikipedia as my memory of definitions from my VHF course has long diminished: -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan-pan

If I defer to the Wiki explanation, which lists a specific example of a Pan Pan to avoid imminent collision with vessel, then I believe that the OP did the right thing.

Note to self: refresh understanding of VHF protocol and procedure.

 

[Rigger Mortice]

Speaking generally, I have a real concern that over frequent invocation of PAN PAN and MAYDAY procedures will lead to more and more heavy handed bureaucracy and legislation.

Whilst I agree with your approach of trying to sort things out independently, I think you'll find that the rescue services will always prefer to be called out unnecessarily than to to be called out too late. (Hoax calls excluded )
I wouldn't want to see people put off from making that call because they were concerned about possible criticism. Better to be safe than sorry.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Whilst I agree with your approach of trying to sort things out independently, I think you'll find that the rescue services will always prefer to be called out unnecessarily than to to be called out too late. (Hoax calls excluded )
I wouldn't want to see people put off from making that call because they were concerned about possible criticism. Better to be safe than sorry.

Strictly speaking you don't call the emergency services out. You inform the CG of the situation. It's their call to decide whether you require assistance and they then request other vessels and/or the local lifeboat providers to offer assistance if able to do so.

In this case CG will have decided that the easiest way to resolve a potentially dangerous situation was to ask other vessels if they were able to assist. Ryde Rescue, in the area and untasked, will have been only too happy to buzz over and practise towing a vessel into a safe haven.

Good outcome all round.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Yep, I'm with Ken.

 

[snooks]

I was anchored in Osbourne bay when we heard your Pan Pan, we were ready to up anchor to come and assist if needed, so we listened in to see what sort of vessel you were etc. a couple of points struck me.

You were in a 23ft sailing boat, in 6 metres of water there was 10 knots of true breeze, tide was taking you west and would be for the next 4 hours.

You say in you post you were able to go "down wind for a time" so where was the problem? You'd missed the tide, your engine wasn't working

You were trying to fight wind and tide, and in a sailing boat there is usually only one victor, and it ain't you...nature is more powerful than you and your time table.

Sail down wind, down tide until you were clear, round up and drop the anchor then assess the situation.

Alert the coastguard by all means if you really want to, but if it was me I wouldn't have used ch 16, I would have called them up on 67 their working channel, and let them know if I felt the need, which I probably wouldn't. You don't have to use securitie, pan pan or mayday.

You could have anchored for a few hours until the tide slackened then had a lovely sail back down the Solent with the tide.

Alternatively while you were anchored up you could have joined Seastart

 

[VicS]

Absolutely 100% with what Snooks has said.

Perhaps a VHF call if really in danger of being caught in the path of an approaching ferry. Perhaps directly to the ferry.