Report of Submerged Vessel in the Emsworth Channel

[Houleaux]

For information - I've just received this from the Chichester Harbour Master:

Local Notice to Mariners No 6 of 2013

REPORT OF A SUBMERGED VESSEL IN THE EMSWORTH CHANNEL

1. Mariners are advised that a report has been received of a wrecked vessel floating just below the surface in the Emsworth Channel.

2. The vessel was spotted off Marker Point in approximate position:
50° 48´.98 N, 00° 56´.84 W

3. The vessel was judged to be approximately 8-metres long and covered in substantial marine growth.

4. A search of the area has not revealed any sign of the vessel, but mariners are asked to report any further sightings and proceed with caution.

 

[Angele]

I have a problem with the use of "floating" and "just below the surface" to describe the same thing. Not my definition of floating.

If in the channel, just below the surface and covered in weed (suggesting it had been there a while) then someone would surely have hit it by now - given how narrow the channel and how much traffic passes. And, if outside the channel, would be visible at LW.

Must be a ghost ship.

 

[northwind]

3. The vessel was judged to be approximately 8-metres long and covered in substantial marine growth.

Have they found the loch ness monster's cousin in Chichester?

 

[Simondjuk]

I have a problem with the use of "floating" and "just below the surface" to describe the same thing. Not my definition of floating.

If in the channel, just below the surface and covered in weed (suggesting it had been there a while) then someone would surely have hit it by now - given how narrow the channel and how much traffic passes. And, if outside the channel, would be visible at LW.

Must be a ghost ship.

If you're the semantics police, then I suppose you might choose to have a problem with it. What I take it to mean, quite clearly, is that it's not stuck on the bottom but is awash. That is to say mobile, which also answers your second element of confusion.

Maybe I'm blessed, but I didn't find it the least bit challenging to understand.

 

[Seajet]

Emsworth Channel is not that narrow and there are loads of places where a semi submerged boat could quietly go aground, if it hadn't taken my or somebodys' keel off first !

I'd take it slow in the Emsworth Channel, harbour entrance and a bit outside right to the Southsea Dolpin passage until there's an answer to this, the tide will generally push it westwards.

This sort of thing was pretty much unheard of until recently, ( we did once come across what looked like an old ships' Whaler just under the surface off Alderney, which might have been very awkward at night, yes we did report it ) what with this NTM and sunken boats at Emsworth, severe hassle to moorings then sinking by a boat on the East Coast, I wonder if it's an effect of people abandoning boats they can longer afford to look after ?

 

[Talbot]

I am sure a lot of submariners would object to the term sinking.

However submerged might have been more accurate.

 

[Seajet]

I am sure a lot of submariners would object to the term sinking.

However submerged might have been more accurate.

Maybe wether becoming submerged is a design feature or not is a bit of a clue ?