QHM - Recreational Safety Points for The Solent

Scotty_Tradewind

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general interest...........



QUEENS HARBOUR MASTER PORTSMOUTH
LOCAL NOTICE TO MARINERS
No 08/12
RECREATIONAL SAFETY POINTS FOR THE SOLENT
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Queen’s Harbour Master Portsmouth, to draw attention to basic safety measures, the risks to themselves and others, to assist in keeping marine risks as low as practicable and so that awareness is increased as to the dangers associated with Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs).

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) have published a report into the tragic deaths of a father and daughter thrown from a RIB travelling at high speed. Neither were wearing a lifejacket, the hydraulic steering of the RIB was in poor condition and they were carrying no basic safety provisions. The full MAIB report on this accident is available at www.maib.gov.uk/publications/investigationreports/2005/lochlomond.cfm

WEARING OF SUITABLE LIFEJACKETS/CARRYING OF LIFESAVING EQUIPMENT (INCLUDING FLARES) While not a legal requirement for certain types of small private recreational craft; the habit of routinely wearing both appropriate (for size and hazard) and suitably tested lifejackets cannot be emphasised sufficiently as a minimum precaution to such exposed personnel (especially children). This characteristic alone can dramatically increase both survival and rescue probability. The Volunteer Harbour Patrol (VHP) in Portsmouth will additionally remind such mariners of the importance of this procedure whenever possible.

SAFE SPEED The maintenance of a safe speed at all times, within the declared speed limit where appropriate, is directly proportional with risk to both life and property. Not only is this relevant to the occupants of the “speeding” vessel but also to those who encounter the associated wake. LNTM 12 / 12 (Speed Limits) is and will continue to be strictly enforced by QHM.

VHF GUARD Within the Solent and especially within the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth (due to the traffic density) the continual monitoring and significance of carrying a portable VHF set (or better) and a good VHF guard by all mariners is integral to both alerting and subsequent rescue operations. This is detailed at LNTM 03 / 12. The essential use of VHF for all craft to safely transit and cross the harbour (see GD 07 / 10 – Portsmouth Harbour Entrance and Small Boat Channel) reaffirms this and reminds the recreational user that help is only a call away.

GOOD LOOKOUT Again this is so simple but so vital to all mariners and can quickly save lives if followed diligently and alarm raised if in doubt.

SPECIAL OPERATIONS Portsmouth Harbour and approaches are frequently used for unique military operations when special forces small attack training craft are permitted to exceed the speed limit and other safety requirements under dedicated risk assessment criteria (see LNTM 13 / 12 – Fast transits by military craft). Furthermore specific risk assessments for recreational events are also required (see LNTM 06 / 12) to ensure all the hazards have been minimised to an acceptable level. This is controlled by QHM and the local mariner needs to remain alert to their existence, activity and relevance.

BOAT LICENSING REGULATIONS For the small pleasure boat user who hires out or has paying guests there is a legal requirement to achieve successful inspection and certification on an annual basis. Details of this are to be found at www.portsmouth-port.co.uk/pmsc and follow “downloads-general” for SASHMA Boats & Boatmen licence guidelines.

REPORTING DAMAGE OR INCIDENTS See LNTM 02 / 12 on directions to follow.

WEBSITE ADVICE/INFORMATION The following sites are all relevant to enhancing recreational safety on the water and worthy of revisiting and updating before returning afloat this year. Annual summaries of notices in force have recently been issued to assist.

www.qhmportsmouth.com for QHM Local Notices & General Directions

www.portsmouth-port.co.uk/pmsc for Portsmouth Harbour information

www.mcga.gov.uk for general information and advice

www.southamptonvts.co.uk for Southampton local information

www.maib.dft.gov.uk for MAIB Reports/ Actions

www.rya.org.uk for recreational safety and information

Finally all mariners are reminded of the importance of a good appreciation of likely weather to be encountered (including fog) on their planned passage especially taking into account the heavy density of all types of traffic in the Solent throughout the year. Ensuring such basic precautions are followed will improve safety and enjoyment for all local users.

Portsmouth LNTM 08 / 11 is hereby superseded

Sun 1st Jan 2012
Semaphore Tower
HM Naval Base, Portsmouth. N J Hare
Commander Royal Navy
Queen's Harbour Master


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Bav34

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''but also to those who encounter the associated wake''

HAH !!

THE MOST DANGEROUS wake we regularly experience is from the pilot vessels who cause carnage behind them as they enter and leave the harbour.
 

xcw

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''but also to those who encounter the associated wake''

HAH !!

THE MOST DANGEROUS wake we regularly experience is from the pilot vessels who cause carnage behind them as they enter and leave the harbour.

+1
 

Ex-SolentBoy

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Nice to see that all the risks of sailing have been identified for me so I do not have to worry about thinking for myself.

Good job QHM weren't around in the old days or we would never have built an empire.

Discuss.
 

prv

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Nice to see that all the risks of sailing have been identified for me so I do not have to worry about thinking for myself.

I suspect the guidance is mostly aimed at Birmingham Navy types, rather than the readers of this forum.

Sadly, of course, the odds of them reading such guidance are slim.

Pete
 

lenseman

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''but also to those who encounter the associated wake''

HAH !!

THE MOST DANGEROUS wake we regularly experience is from the pilot vessels who cause carnage behind them as they enter and leave the harbour.

If you are referring to Fort Blockhouse, it is only the Number 3 (P/V "Hamwic"), the coxswain of which is a little careless when he spins round. Sometimes, rarely, he skippers P/V "Hampshire" but not often.

When "Hamwic" comes in a large number of yachts and motorboats bang into the pontoons quite hard and some have even lost their top safety wires. These safety wires on the yachts part company because the fenders are attached and they ride under the finger pontoons causing the damage when the mini tsunami from "Hamwic" arrives. :mad:
 

Blue5

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THE MOST DANGEROUS wake we regularly experience is from the pilot vessels who cause carnage behind them as they enter and leave the harbour.

+1

We left Pompey at 2-30am the only other vessel moving in the harbour was a b****y pilot vessel incoming that had to come within about 30' of us with its associated wash, not impressed...........
 

White Horse

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At my old sailing club. They were doing a Safety Boat Training Course. The instructor told the helm to turn sharply at speed. It ejected the helm with kill cord, one other trainee and the instructor managed to stay in the boat. He was unable to do anything as the helm had taken the key with her. Both had to be taken to hospital as this accident happened in March and it was some time before they managed to get out of the water and back ashore. All were wearing life jackets.

They never did find out why it happened but driving at speed and doing fast turns was banned during training for some time after.
 

johnwest

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If you have issues with the ABP Southampton pilot boats, I would suggest an e-mail to the deputy Southampton Harbour Master quoting times dates and pilot boat names if possible. I have done this in the past and have seen positive results, together with an helpful reply.

j

Lenseman,
The name you are looking for is " Hamwick " not forgetting " Haslar " and I'm blowed if I can bring the other two to mind !!

j
 

Giblets

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And of course, all of you who have been inconvenienced by the pilot boats wake/wash have reported it to QHM haven't you? :rolleyes:
 

Bav34

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And of course, all of you who have been inconvenienced by the pilot boats wake/wash have reported it to QHM haven't you? :rolleyes:

No. What could we say? What would they do?

The pilot boats are running at or below the speed limit, they are sharing the Small Boat Channel with us and I guess their hull design makes for excessive wash at low speeds.

My concern is that they regularly squeeze by within very few feet of us and the swell is literally horrendous.

Would they slow down to my 6 knots and follow me in/out if I complained?

I think that we know the answer.
 

ProDave

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At my old sailing club. They were doing a Safety Boat Training Course. The instructor told the helm to turn sharply at speed. It ejected the helm with kill cord, one other trainee and the instructor managed to stay in the boat. He was unable to do anything as the helm had taken the key with her. Both had to be taken to hospital as this accident happened in March and it was some time before they managed to get out of the water and back ashore. All were wearing life jackets.

Which is why you should carry a spare kill cord, and know where it is, so you can go and recover the MOB's.
 

Giblets

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No. What could we say? What would they do?

The pilot boats are running at or below the speed limit, they are sharing the Small Boat Channel with us and I guess their hull design makes for excessive wash at low speeds.

My concern is that they regularly squeeze by within very few feet of us and the swell is literally horrendous.

Would they slow down to my 6 knots and follow me in/out if I complained?

I think that we know the answer.

Just quote LNTM 10/12 - WASH EFFECTS IN THE DOCKYARD PORT OF PORTSMOUTH to Harbour Control using the Incident Reporting Form or contact them on Ch11.
 

prv

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Which is why you should carry a spare kill cord, and know where it is, so you can go and recover the MOB's.

Seconded. I thought that was a standard thing for RIBs etc.

Even without it, the kill-cord switches I've seen work by holding a button out; you can usually wedge something behind it (or, in extremis, hold it out by hand) to get the engine running again.

Pete
 

PhillM

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And of course, all of you who have been inconvenienced by the pilot boats wake/wash have reported it to QHM haven't you? :rolleyes:

It happen to me on my first trip into Portsmouth. I was too busy working out where I was, where I was going and wondering why my port spreader was taking up wake boarding as a hobby to either spot the name or callQHM. But now I know what to do if or when it happens again.

Really enjoyed that trip, other than the wake surprise, I worked out that slowing down to arrange fenders and warps ahead of entering Gosport Marina should be done AFTER passing the Gosport ferry landing stage. Que 5 blasts...,
 
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