power boat registration

[vanboven]

One day on the water in Poole Harbour and you notice the following incedents:
A powerboat racing into the harbour at great speed, causing a hugh wake, playing havoc with all sailing boats.
A powerboat racing at 30 knots through a waterski area
An 8 year old in charge of a powerboat going at great speed down the river Frome, his father drinking beer at the bow of the boat,
A powerboat trying to overtake you on your starboard side through a gap of 3 meter between your boat and the stakes.
Wouldn't it be time that any craft capable of going faster than 5 knot under power, need to be registered, its registration clearly shown on the boat and the person in charge being licenced for driving the boat?

 

[tcm]

not a solution

This wouldn't work - in the same way that licencing cars doesn't work.

What works is policing. You stop the loonies and appriase them of their error, and in most casess oops sorry cripes not thought of that. You DO give the police types the right to insist on return to harbour/base to go over things - this alone is punishment enough - cos now they have an hour or two wasted holiday time. If no good, impounding the boat is also an option.

Another idea is "self -certifcation" on purchase of a boat, you fuill in a certifctae saying yep - i am fine to drive this no prob. A long tickbox for of all the things you need to know. This cd have "teeth" too.

 

[duncan]

[ QUOTE ]
A powerboat racing into the harbour at great speed, causing a hugh wake, playing havoc with all sailing boats.

[/ QUOTE ]
trust me it plays even more havoc with small power planning power boats - we don't have any directional stability from keels or rudders and get spun through 90 degree of heading all the time. I felt particularily concerned for the poor jetskiers who were trying to sit at around 8 knots until out of the outer limit mark with all the wakes being kicked up - whilst at the same time watching idiots on the same machines cause the harbour master to quit leading the Condor and go back and ask them to stop wake jumping it. Soon as he went back to the bow they were at it again.
I would add to your list with -
Sailing craft, under power, travelling 3 a breast on the wrong side of the small boat channel so that we have to pass them St / St or hit the training bank.
Sailing craft under power screaming 'get out of my *** .....way' to sailing craft under sail as he was trying to anchor (he was in fact coming up behind it too as he screamed)
..........just to give your post some balance /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif I also suspect that most of these helms had experience or qualifications despite behaviour.

Good and bad examples on the water, and on the roads going home.

 

[SlowlyButSurely]

And to add a bit more balance, I saw a RIB entering Lymington river on Sunday at a sensible speed. Hard to believe I know but it's true!

The incident occurred on Sunday morning at 0740. It was a large blue RIB with twin Mercuries driven by a man in a green shirt wearing an orange life jacket (yes a RIB driver wearing a lifejacket!!!).

So to the man with the green shirt I say thanks very much for your consideration.

 

[Lakesailor]

Maybe he was low on fuel.

 

[vanboven]

Thank you for your repies, I appreciate your point of view. I fully agree, that more policing would help to address the problems with some power boat (and indeed some sailing boat) owners. In my opinion, registration would help policing in two ways: the owner of the boat being aware that he/she can be traced and therefor be restrained in their behaviour. Secondly it would be easier for the harbour master to regognise persistent offenders.

 

[duncan]

most craft that use harbours are required to be registered through harbour dues - as in Poole Harbour - so you don't need any more paperwork to achieve you objective; only the willpower!

 

[Rustyknight]

In the last few years, in Poole at least, there has been a large increase in the numbers of boats on the water...... partly, if not mainly, due to "dry berthing."

People no longer have to make an effort to row out to a mooring, or enjoy sitting on their boat in a comfy marina... not going anywhere in a hurry because they're afloat.

With dry berthing, you park your car and are away! Blasting down the harbour, through moorings, anchorages.... anywhere that takes your fancy. Time is limited, you might miss your slot for being lifted out again. Back in the car, and off home to more mundane matters.

The guy in the marina might just tie up, put the kettle on, or pop open a beer, and flick through his almanac or collision regs booklet.

Maybe. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[duncan]

I would postulate that it is in fact the increase in marina fees that has contributed equally to this but agree it's happened.

You won't find anything like as many 'going nowhere' wrecks in Poole Harbour as you would have done 10 years ago. On Saturday I am advised that all but one of our pontoon boats was out this weekend!