Ramsgate Port Control

[Gargleblaster]

I anchored just to the south of the southern breakwater at Ramsgate last Thursday at 1930 hours not wanting to go into Ramsgate as I wanted to leave at 0500 before the office opened and therefore couldn't pay and I had heard that they take your boat name and send you an extortionate bill.

Anchored in 2.6 metres of water under the keel at close to low water, with the anchor light on at the top of my mast and my anemometer showing 10 knots of breeze from the NW. Gales had been forecast but none had eventuated.

Quietly eating a rather nice curry in my saloon I had brought with me from home, when I heard the burble of a big diesel engine close by and someone calling out 'Can you hear me?'

Popped out of the saloon into the cockpit to find the RNLI had turned up as Ramsgate Port Control were worried if I was OK. I was asked to call up Port Control and tell them I was OK. Which I did. but I am astounded that a boat lying at night with an anchor light on was thought to be in trouble.

It was the first time I had chosen that place to anchor which is clearly marked on my charts as I usually choose somewhere off Deal or Sandwich.

When I left about 0400 the next morning I did call Port Control to tell them I was leaving so that they wouldn't send the RNLI scurrying after me to see if I was all right.

 

[Bru]

Well, I can see the other side of the coin. A boat anchors just off the harbour with no communication and an iffy forecast for anchoring off would not unnaturally leave port control wondering if the vessel was perhaps engine out and unable to communicate

Not, to be honest, all that surprised that they sent someone out to check toy were ok

Personally, I'm inclined to advise port control where there is one of my intentions if I'm doing anything that might be even slightly unusual (e.g. going around in circles just off Newhaven trying to unjam a poxy on mast mainsail furling system!)

 

[Prasutigus]

Greetings, I would have told Port Control I was anchored there, if near the breakwater. Surely a wise safety precaution, as well as courtesy, anyway? (your anchor might have dragged when the tide turned, or something. ..)
Any reason why you didn't? (..and will you tell them next time? )

 

[Plum]

I anchored just to the south of the southern breakwater at Ramsgate last Thursday at 1930 hours not wanting to go into Ramsgate as I wanted to leave at 0500 before the office opened and therefore couldn't pay and I had heard that they take your boat name and send you an extortionate bill.

Anchored in 2.6 metres of water under the keel at close to low water, with the anchor light on at the top of my mast and my anemometer showing 10 knots of breeze from the NW. Gales had been forecast but none had eventuated.

Quietly eating a rather nice curry in my saloon I had brought with me from home, when I heard the burble of a big diesel engine close by and someone calling out 'Can you hear me?'

Popped out of the saloon into the cockpit to find the RNLI had turned up as Ramsgate Port Control were worried if I was OK. I was asked to call up Port Control and tell them I was OK. Which I did. but I am astounded that a boat lying at night with an anchor light on was thought to be in trouble.

It was the first time I had chosen that place to anchor which is clearly marked on my charts as I usually choose somewhere off Deal or Sandwich.

When I left about 0400 the next morning I did call Port Control to tell them I was leaving so that they wouldn't send the RNLI scurrying after me to see if I was all right.

I think it was good of them to check on you and hope you continue to do such things and enjoying your curry. I recommend we always notify the Coastguard if doing anything, anywhere, that is out of the ordinary and tell them. Although not in this case, the coastguard get a good number of good intentioned mostly non boaty people onshore who call to say they can see a boat that may be in distress. In all cases the CG must react if they don't have any other information. It is also wise to keep ch16 open unless you want to sleep.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[Lucky Duck]

I had heard that they take your boat name and send you an extortionate bill.

I know they make this claim but I know of people who haven't been able to settle up for similar reasons to those you describe and haven't yet been presented with such a bill.

Alternatively a towel covering the boat's name might suffice

Edit - might be best to switch AIS off (if fitted)

 

[DanTribe]

I think it was good of them to check on you and hope you continue to do such things and enjoying your curry. I recommend we always notify the Coastguard if doing anything, anywhere, that is out of the ordinary and tell them. Although not in this case, the coastguard get a good number of good intentioned mostly non boaty people onshore who call to say they can see a boat that may be in distress. In all cases the CG must react if they don't have any other information. It is also wise to keep ch16 open unless you want to sleep.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

I once had a visit from the Coastguard when entering the lock at Sovereign Harbour.
Someone on shore had reported that I must be in difficulty as I had been "zig-zagging".

 

[Prasutigus]

I know they make this claim but I know of people of haven't been able to settle up for similar reasons to those you describe and haven't yet been presented with such a bill.

Alternatively a towel covering the boat's name might suffice

Edit - might be best to switch AIS off (if fitted)

I arrived late one night, tied up on the hammerhead and went to find someone to pay, as I wanted to sleep, and leave early. The uniformed gent in the security hut by the lock said, " no need to pay if you are gone before the HM arrives".. similar has occurred a few times in Rambo, who cares, it's not a family yard it's Thanet Council.

Port Control obviously had the boat name anyway, never heard anything.

 

[Triassic]

I think it was good of them to check on you and hope you continue to do such things and enjoying your curry. I recommend we always notify the Coastguard if doing anything, anywhere, that is out of the ordinary and tell them.

Is anchoring in an anchoring area really that out of the ordinary? I really hope the RNLI were just passing and didn't turn out specially, otherwise that is an abuse of resources of almost negligent proportions.......

 

[Pye_End]

A bit surprised they sent a lifeboat. If you had been parked off a beach away from the port then you would not expect a similar disturbance, and as you say, it is marked on some charts as an anchorage. It is presumably beyond the port's limits, and I have never read any guide that recommends a call to port control when using that area. I certainly would not expect to call them up in similar circumstances. If a working boat happened to spend five minutes diverting to check all was ok I could understand it, but to call out the volunteers seems a bit extreme.

On the subject of invoices though the post - I have had one, some years ago now. I dried against the wall for a night (having got there late) but also spent a night or two on the pontoons - hence they had my name and address to send a bill for the extra night. I had been previously advised that they 'wall' night would be free, and after correspondence it proved to be, so the invoice was cancelled. I suspect that for just one night, out of hours, they will not have your details so will not come after you.

 

[tillergirl]

Is anchoring in an anchoring area really that out of the ordinary?

Yes of course. I have two sets of gates: one is for the drive, the other is for the garage. The car is never parked on the drive. Everybody parks in front of the garage cos no one uses a garage for a car! QED or whatever. :encouragement: Further I reflect that I recall someone who went aground in Bradwell Creek at half tide called for the Lifeboat. This year, I was remiss. I apologise. While doing the survey in Collier's Reach of the Upper Blackwater I went aground on a MMC and didn't call the lifeboat!

 

[Daydream believer]

Couple of weeks ago I left Ramsgate in 2 metre waves . Shortly after clearing North Foreland Dover CG called saying that someone had reported a vessel near NF possibly in trouble. Could I have a look & see if I could see it. I explained that I was on my own & could not go to any assistance but would look if they waited. i went below to get binoculars & was slung across the cabin & winded. When i did get the bins I could not use them due to motion. I contacted Dover & apologised for delay & explained I could see nothing. 10 mins later they called again saying that another call had been received from a different source but this placed the vessel slightly further north. Could I have another look. After some discussion it was determined that the vessel in" distress " was me !!. They asked if I was Ok & I said NO i had been winded getting down below to use the radio & get the binoculars but otherwise Ok.
A few days later I ended up having 24 hours in Bloomfield hospital with severe chest pains as a result of the injuries. The doctors kept watching my heart & all I wanted was for them to sort my damaged rib cage. After 24 hours & travel sickness in the ambulance ( not my call but the surgery's)a migraine attack & numerous vomit attacks to complicate matters the rib cage still hurts & advice was " Oh that - well you can take pain killers every 3 hours until it goes !!". Still b..y hurts.
But at least someone on the shore was watching & did think that I might be in trouble & take the effort to raise an alarm even though it was not needed