EdWingfield
Well-Known Member
PBO \'Learning from Experience\' article
What a howler is this months PBO ‘Learning from Experience’ article.
The 31ft yacht is entering Fowey at night in good conditions. Aboard are a husband and wife (owners). We are led to understand that the husband is usually the skipper but they are also carrying an ‘RYA instructor’ to give them ‘own boat tuition’. The RYA instructor does not give his explanation of events.
They see ship lights ahead in the port but the Instructor suggests they are probably just turning around.
They end up cutting behind the stern of the pilot cutter and across the bow of a ship in the narrow channel. They were that close, that a voice from the bridge wing yells down, ‘Have you got a f…..g death wish?’
The article ends with ‘Lessons Learned.’
I’m simply amazed that no one knew that commercial ports use vhf channels other than 16 and vts will advise of ship movements.
Radar – switch it on. Duuuh.
Who is skipper? (the owner overruled the Instructor at the critical moment)
Lesson 5 is a classic. ‘avoid passing between a pilot boat and a ship’
6 talks about colregs and oncoming vessels turn to stbd. Yet Port by-laws apply, and will give ships priority over yachts.
I’m not sure that any lessons have been learned. I’m not sure of the Instructors fitness to instruct. I hope RYA get hold of their Instructor and ask for an explanation.
What a howler is this months PBO ‘Learning from Experience’ article.
The 31ft yacht is entering Fowey at night in good conditions. Aboard are a husband and wife (owners). We are led to understand that the husband is usually the skipper but they are also carrying an ‘RYA instructor’ to give them ‘own boat tuition’. The RYA instructor does not give his explanation of events.
They see ship lights ahead in the port but the Instructor suggests they are probably just turning around.
They end up cutting behind the stern of the pilot cutter and across the bow of a ship in the narrow channel. They were that close, that a voice from the bridge wing yells down, ‘Have you got a f…..g death wish?’
The article ends with ‘Lessons Learned.’
I’m simply amazed that no one knew that commercial ports use vhf channels other than 16 and vts will advise of ship movements.
Radar – switch it on. Duuuh.
Who is skipper? (the owner overruled the Instructor at the critical moment)
Lesson 5 is a classic. ‘avoid passing between a pilot boat and a ship’
6 talks about colregs and oncoming vessels turn to stbd. Yet Port by-laws apply, and will give ships priority over yachts.
I’m not sure that any lessons have been learned. I’m not sure of the Instructors fitness to instruct. I hope RYA get hold of their Instructor and ask for an explanation.
