Poole Hbr Motorboat Wakes

[smee]

I went out on an IP24 displacement motorboat on Sunday evening in Poole Harbour. Twice within an hour I had to contend with wake from motorboats in excess of 3ft as they plowed along oblivious to the effects they were causing.

On the first occasion the wake was caused by an Elling (not exactly an anonymous boat like a Princess or Sunseeker) which decided to ignore the rules of the road and speed in front of me ignoring the "if to starboard red appear it is your duty to keep clear" rule (one that is the easiest to remember!!) and leave the IP24 climbing its mountanous wake while one passenger looked back (quite possibly laughing). The second by a Princess dashing up the harbour leaving moored yachts and moving boats bouncing all over the place as it went.

Now what if for a moment we thought of the worst case scenario caused by these two boats: say someone in the boat fell and cracked their skull on a thwart for instance, the owner of the offending boat could be sued for negligence I would imagine. And that is just one possibility that could result from the wake left by some of these selfish boats. People in yachts can be hurt by the booms swinging, or people burnt by tea they may be pouring, or people could fall down companionways.

Obviously the motorboaters and yachters on this site are well informed, conscientious seafarers, but perhaps they could help to educate the others.

Has anyone had accidents as a result of motorboat wakes?

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[gjgm]

this is a regular and lengthy topic over on MBC forum, and while there is always going to be an unfortunate instance ,the general conclusion seems to be that most motorboaters are aware- and increasingly so- of the wake issue. Not condoning the case you cite at all, but different hulls do cause different wakes and some people almost seem waiting for something to froth about. So theres a balance between the inexcusably dangerous-as in your case- and the inexecusably petty. I really do not mean to be provocative, and there can never be any excuse for exposing someone else to danger at sea.

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[tom52]

Sunny weekends and Poole Harbour/ entrance and the activities of many (not all )motorboats is a truly astounding jaw dropping experience.
Like defensive driving on the roads to survive you must expect the worse.
Give way to everything early and obviously, get your sails down early, never leave the cockpit and hold very tight. Try to smile nonchalantly and show no fear. Its going to be a bumpy ride.

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[Robin]

The Speed limit signs in the Swash have vanished and the Harbourmaster launches sit back in the entrance, seemingly just letting it all happen. I cannot imagine what it must seem like to a stranger making a first visit, I've not seen anything like it anywhere else. At it's worse there are BIG powerboats and maximum wash, they attract the gangs of Jetskis to ride their wakes, add to that the sailboards falling off, the dive boat (& other) RIBs at full pelt and a good mix of dories, ski boats and sports cruisers with the kids up front dangling their legs. Oh and I nearly forgot, in the midst of all this Condor fast ferry or Barfleur ferry arrive/depart AND the chain ferry starts it's crossing. I nearly forgot the sailboats tacking out too and then the natural disturbance from wind against say a 4kt tide. Welcome to sunny Poole!

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[duncan]

good summary - very lifelike
only addition would be the 'confusion factor' of the small boat channel on the outside which results in boats coming in and going out on both sides of both 'channels' - ie everywhere!

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[nicho]

Isn't the speed limit 10 kts? If so, that's the problem, for a planing hull at that speed will create a huge wash, and still be within the law. Perhaps it should be reduced to 6 kts as in most other harbours

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[Chris_Stannard]

We went in to Poole last Saturday.

The previous Saturday we went up to Chichester Marina, threading our way through about six or seven different classes of dinghies and dayboats, who were racing all over the fairway, whilst of course there was the usual exodus from the marina and Birdham Pool together with a lot of us trying to get in.

SWMBO, who gets paranoid if there is one other boat within a couple of hundred yards, said afterwards that on the whole she preferred Chichester to goin in to Poole. Mind you once we got to anchor we know why we bother.

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[Robin]

Yes I missed that bit, I also forgot to mention the fishing boats drifting in the entrance, the tripper boats like Solent Scene (who likes the whole channel to himself) and the Brownsea Island ferries too!

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[Robin]

Absolutely correct on all counts, the limit extends too out to the Swash entrance. There is also a Bye-Law about wash. I believe there is CCTV on the approach/entrance too, but as I said before the speed limit signs that used to be outside the harbour on the Training Bank posts, also on the Sandbanks Ferry, have all vanished. When the limit was first introduced there were prosecutions reported in the local paper, I cannot remember though when I last saw one.

Harbour patrols now seem to concentrate on the clear passage for ferry traffic which is understandable. At times there will be 2 launches, 1 RIB and a Jetski all covering the narrows, but often ignoring the drifting fishing boats (against the Bye -Laws) and now seemingly turning a blind eye to speeding and wash as well.

We live in Poole & love the harbour but it is one crazy place on a hot day. Studland used to be a favourite anchorage for a lazy weekend, we haven't been in there for 2 years now beause it is no longer pleasant. The last time was to swim/clean the bottom - nearly got killed by the hull crashing on my head from a wash.

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[Robin]

Yes I guess Chichester has most of the ingredients Poole has. Poole also has moorings and marinas above the lifting bridge which give 'deadlines' to catch, plus of course 2 Condor high speed ferries and Barfleur as well as other big ship traffic.

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[mickshep]

Meanwhile in the North East. Cheap marina's with great facilities, miles of golden sand, majestic castles overlooking the sea, picturesque little harbours, Miles of near empty ocean and a bird watchers paradise. plenty of things to see and do, ooops! disregard all of the above or we'll soon be as crowded as the Solent. Happy sailing. Mike.

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[Robin]

Wow, not sure we could handle that and SWMBO insists on warm sunshine! Poole is actually a very beautiful place and we have easy access to other nice areas like the West Country, Channel Islands and France, it's just that coming back in the Sunday rush hour ( read all afternoon) can be stressful.

Fair winds and calm seas.

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[mickshep]

Sorry, thought I'd leave out the fantastic weather we've been having, as well as the worlds finest fish chips 'n' mushy peas, for the reason stated above, got to keep the place secret you see. We don't want every Tom, Dick or Harry knowing about the place, Have to say though the foriegn devils seem to be turning up in ever greater numbers these last couple of years, Spent a couple of years on the South Coast restoring last boat, It was amazing how many boat owners thought the North Sea was 10' deep from the Thames to Scotland with more sandbanks than people in Asda on a Saturday. Lovely cruising, Damn it! I'm doing it again. Bloody awfull place, wouldn't recomend it to my worst enemy, Awfull. Awfull. Awfull! Fair winds, Cold beer 'n' secure anchorages to all. Mike.

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[LORDNELSON]

Poole harbour has become a no go area so far as I am concerned for precisely the reasons you mention. It is no place for a sailing boat. perhaps we could make Poole Harbour off limits for sailing boats and the Solent off limits for motor boats?

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[steve6367]

I know what you mean, but only tends to be a problem in the summer weekends. Living here we have our best sailing in Poole during the winter months or summer weekdays when it is nice and quiet. I don't understand why PHC seem to have steped back this year though.........someone is going to get hurt in the entrance if it is left.........

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[oldharry]

Re: Solent midweeks

I agree entirely - as I work most weekends I miss out on the happy crowds in the Solent on Bank Hol saturdays, and actually find it quite a decent place to sail 'out of hours' as it were. It really only gets a bit crowded for about 6 weeks starting just about now.

As to moving the boat north or west - the biggest disincentive for me is that the dinghy is about 10 minutes from my front door here in Chichester harbour (and no I do NOT live in millionnaires mile in Bosham!) My Mooring costs me £150 a year, - the only minus really is that its a bit muddy - like about 3 feet deep, until the tide comes in.

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[BarryH]

Poole entrance can be hell. Motorboats contribute to 90% of the wash and a lot of them disregard the speed limit once through the entrance. I tend to stick to the extreme edges to give myself more room. PHC need to educate more people that theres a speed limit there. The existing limit needs to be dropped down to around 6 knots through the entrance.

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[LadyInBed]

To hell with Poole entrance, Wareham shindig at the w/e attracted all varieties of boats up the river from Poole. Unfortunately they all left for home around midnight. They weren’t on the plane, but they went down the river at 6 to 8 knots causing a hell of a wash.

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[BarryH]

They always do. Its unfortunate that these people can't or don't see the damage they are causing to the banks. The river should have a 'no wash' limit. Even the raggies go to fast along the river. I've had my beer or the kettle spilt on more than one occasion.

Be prepared for it all again this weekend with the party/fireworks on the quay. I'll be there, but I walk up from redcliffe along the towpath.

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[duncan]

I believe the river does have a no wash regulation in addition to the speed limit - in line with the quiet areas of Poole Harbour.
Unfortunately it is not as clearly indicated, although I believe an early sign on the Starboard side as you come in to the river does state it.

Regarding the harbour entrance in Summer - the only safew course of asction is to stay at the Banks Arms until closing and have the whole channel to yourself on the way back in............
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