Rules for Idiot in Solent

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Planning a trip to the solent this year from the med, i have decided to reflag the boat to british registry, and swot up on all the regulations which may apply. The boats is 23m long, and not a sailing vessel.

As far as i can see, lots of rules are specially designed in anticipation of my visit! Because very handily, the rules seem to allow for me being a bit of a nitwit:

1) in the solent, the MPZ (moving probited zone) whereby vessels above 150 m have a protected zone 1000m in front of them does not apply to boats over 20 metres. Hurrah! So, i can cut it lots finer than with say 12 metre boat.

2) in the Channel, I can join the TSS and sailing boats under 20metres must not impede my safe passage.

3) in rivers etc, I can go up and down very narrow channels and rule 9b protects my priority against other boats under 20m who must not impede me.

4) everywhere, the special MCA regulations for larger craft (over 24 metres) do not apply to me.

any others?

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Actually you are not quite correct. Your length will depend on how fast you are going .. the faster you go the shorter you get. Must be true according to relativity so be careful you don'nt suddenly go so fast that your length shhots under 20m. If so you'll have to do an immediate 180 to correct the situation . hope that helps

<hr width=100% size=1>.. whit way roon should it be again ..
 
well, i think i will be making quite few trips! Up and down the TSS and then also across the TSS (at right angles of course(), when as far as i can see (rule 10j ) I most defintiely am AM permitted to impede the safe passage of anyone in the traffic lane.

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Re: No chance!

hah, it might apply to boats 20.000000000001 metres long but for a 23metre boat traveling at below say 10% of the speed of light it is most definitely over 20 metres.

I think i must also have a very high pitched whistle as well (in fact, very very high pitched whistle, with a minimum loudness, and perhaps several provided they aren't 100m apart) for use in rivers near bends, like say near Hythe, surely? Any idea where i can buy one? I do have a 2hp compressor on board so it doesn't have to a weedy little electric thing.

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You'll be able to nip straight into Portsmouth without messing about with the small boat channel which is for the sub 20m unwashed riff-raff.

I used to do this years ago in a Baltic Trader and it gives you a smug feeling. On one occasion QHM asked would I mind moving over towards the unwashed to allow a warship through. I condescended to do this and was rewarded by a thankyou wave from HRH Prince Andrew, who was aboard. We're like this, you know...

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Re: Prince Andrew

and then shouted "Where's the fat toe sucking tart?" as you dipped your ensign!

<hr width=100% size=1>.. whit way roon should it be again ..
 
Re: Prince Andrew

Yes, and I lowered my shades an obvious fraction too.

Don't know why, but it reminds me of the time (same boat) we managed to get a salute out of Britannia during Cowes week. We were towing a Dory at the time. All our crew were lined up on deck in uniform facing HMY, arms behind their backs. Saw the little matelot race aft to return the salute then the crew nearest to me coughed quietly and said 'the little ship's gone'.

He meant the Dory, which was drifting off down the Solent. We turned around sharp to give chase leaving the matelot shaking his puzzled head...

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Don't forget that, as you are over 20m if you have more than 12 passengers on board you will need a pilot whilst operating in the Dockyard of Portsmouth area or Southampton Ports Authority area.

That'll restrict the party going then.

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ah - i am well aware of my restrictions in that regard. Any boat with more than 12 passengers and we're into deeper soundings of the bown stinky stuff, and need higher levels of qualifications than RYA thingies too.

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Unless you get a Pilotage Exemption Certificate (PEC), which 2 of my crew did. You'll hear the ferries quote their PEC number when reporting to QHM on VHF ch 11.

All the same, we never had more than 12 passengers, but up to 36 crew.

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20m may be big in yacht terms but I think you'd still come off the worst from a collision with a 200,000 ton leviathan in the solent which, in the Solent, can't and won't alter sourse to avoid you!!

<hr width=100% size=1>Mike
 
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