Sandbanks ferry shocker, 2008

[Sailfree]

It was an X boat from my club Parkstone that had the incident.

We race a Wayfarer at Parkstone and used to have many races that went out into the bay.

On one occassion prior to this incident we were near the back of the fleet in a F3 but the tide had changed and we were going backwards at the entrance - in that situation manoeuvering does become a bit more difficult!!

At the time of this incident the Ferry should have given way and the skipper was a very experience sailor in her 70's that was not gung ho.

Since that incident there have been a number of changes.

1. The Ferry now has priority.

2. Days for racing in the Bay are very carefully chosen wrt tides and wind strength.

3. One or Two of our club powerful rib rescue boats are stationed by the chain ferry to assist anyone caught by the tide.

4. With larger Ferrys using Poole it is an instant disqualification for anyone passing between the race rib (IIRC flying a Q flag) and any ferry.

Like most incidents everyone learnt from this event and changes made to try and ensure it was never repeated. Regrettfully we now only have 3 or 4 races out into the bay each season with this much more cautious approach.

Still one of the best clubs to race at and one of the nicest areas to sail IMHO.

Interesting incident though for some armchair sailors to pontificate about and reveal their ignorance.

PS Robin is probably one of the most experienced sailors wrt transiting the Poole entrance so his comments are worth serious consideration.

 

[Resolution]

I love Poole (otherwise, wouldn't go there so often) but it is a crazy place -- sailing there is a bit like driving in Cairo.

Best quote of the day. Thank you!

 

[Greenheart]

Thanks Robin, I hadn't given a thought to the taut chains lifting, astern of the ferry. Although, mustn't they be more taut, in the direction that the ferry is pulling towards? I know they're hefty ironmongery, but I've no idea what degree of catenary forms, with a fast tide pushing hundreds of tonnes of steel, sideways.

Pete, my confusion re right of way, was only based on having seen the ferry pull out then halt briefly during a very busy, alarmingly rapid ebb. SWMBO and I assumed she'd given way to allow several large yachts (under power) to pass, because by then their course wasn't really adjustable - they were going with the stream, and the stream was going faster than perhaps the ferry captain had initially estimated.

I read that the Bramble Bush Bay weighs 113 tonnes, unladen. I'd have expected she'd displace more.

I guess the threat of a nasty accident doesn't overshadow anyone who uses the Poole entrance regularly. Personally, I'll take care to arrive and leave at slack water.

 

[greenalien]

It isn't just the Poole chain ferry that's potentially hazardous - I've seen people swept under the Cowes chain ferry as well - they were trying to row 4-up across the Medina in a rubber dinghy with the tide away, misjudged the strength of the stream and were under the ferry in seconds. People and boat were all dragged under the ferry, as far as I could tell they all came up on the other side...

 

[alant]

I would always check in the case of an unfamiliar ferry, but I believe most are required to always give way - the opposite of your bridge idea. Certainly the Cowes one is always give-way, though it's obviously polite to clear out of his way as quickly as possible. The Poole ferry is an exception, in which the rule was changed due to this specific accident, with the aim of reducing confusion.

Pete

With the Cowes ferry, you have to carefully avoid the chains as they are lifted on this relatively short crossing, so its best to give way until its well clear. Yes I know its the give way vessel http://www.cowesharbourcommission.co.uk/pages/harbour?id=545

 

[Robin]

Thanks Robin, I hadn't given a thought to the taut chains lifting, astern of the ferry. Although, mustn't they be more taut, in the direction that the ferry is pulling towards? I know they're hefty ironmongery, but I've no idea what catenary forms, with a fast tide pushing hundreds of tonnes of steel, sideways.

The chains AHEAD of the ferry's direction of crossing go taut and lift, the ones behind it drop to the bottom as long as you pass more than a few feet behind.

I guess the threat of a nasty accident doesn't overshadow anyone who uses the Poole entrance regularly. Personally, I'll take care to arrive and leave at slack water.

Poole entrance is one reason that Studland Bay must never become a no anchor zone, because contrary to conservationists' armchair opinions, Poole inside is not always attainable, especially by small boats.

Otherwise, the Poole town motto is 'Poole is a wonderful place' and it is all of that and then some. I believe there are between 4,000 and 5,000 boats that call Poole home, says it all really.

Oh and Poole is NOT in the Solent, for the benefit of some..

 

[robinsoncrusoe]

I have a relation who is a RNLI cox in that area.

tells some great tales of that stretch.

I'm sure he said the lifeboat is not powerful enough to keep away from the ferry at times.

Love the tale of a group who missed ferry, stole a small boat and tried to paddle with hands and shoes to get across.

Rescued and deliverd to Police

 

[PilotWolf]

Having been in and out of Poole a few times over the last couple of weeks I would add the following comments:

1. Been lucky to avoid having to wait for the chain ferry, indeed they clearly waited for us the other day.
2. Most boats, fishing, motor, sailing seem to have a different idea about which is the correct side of the channel to be on!
3. Sound signals seem to add confusion to any close quarterssituation...
4. The seaward end of the channel is not fun in any sort of bad weather - even with lots of HP on hand.
5. Everyone of the harbour, marina and fuel staff that we have spoken to or encountered are extremely helpful and friendly.
6. The pilots, ferry crew have my admiration taking anything big in or out of Poole.
7. The bars on the quay are only a very short stagger away!

W.

 

[Seajet]

Just don't try to have a meal in Poole, we did over a week and it did not go well; either places forgot to serve us, or we wished they had.

Wareham is a lot better in that respect than Poole town quay ( who was the joker who reckoned the microscopic marina would prevent anyone having to use the town quay again ?! ).

I find most chain ferries are operated by decent folk who wait for boats, the one at Cowes certainly is, though it must take the patience of a Saint at times..

 

[GrahamD]

Just don't try to have a meal in Poole, we did over a week and it did not go well; either places forgot to serve us, or we wished they had.

Wareham is a lot better in that respect than Poole town quay ( who was the joker who reckoned the microscopic marina would prevent anyone having to use the town quay again ?! ).

Seajet, since according to your recent posts, the racing sailors of Poole are all champagne swigging nautical hoodlums, the entrance a total death trap, the restaurants uniformly dreadful, and the management of the harbour appalling, presumably you'll be giving us a wide berth in the future?

Maybe it's time to have a lie down?

 

[Seajet]

Seajet, since according to your recent posts, the racing sailors of Poole are all champagne swigging nautical hoodlums, the entrance a total death trap, the restaurants uniformly dreadful, and the management of the harbour appalling, presumably you'll be giving us a wide berth in the future?

Maybe it's time to have a lie down?

Graham,

how about actually reading what I said ?!

Yes, the keelboats in Poole can be a menace, with their own 'right of way because I paid megabucks for this' and I'd love some information on a decent place to eat, but I am happy to stick with what I've brought with me and stay in South Deep; just a shame that a place dependent on tourism doesn't do it better.

Poole is a lovely place, but it would be wonderful if that was along with the shoreside attractions, not despite them !

 

[Tranona]

Graham,

how about actually reading what I said ?!

Yes, the keelboats in Poole can be a menace, with their own 'right of way because I paid megabucks for this' and I'd love some information on a decent place to eat, but I am happy to stick with what I've brought with me and stay in South Deep; just a shame that a place dependent on tourism doesn't do it better.

Poole is a lovely place, but it would be wonderful if that was along with the shoreside attractions, not despite them !

Well, your prayers will be answered if the Harbour Commissioners get their plans for a 700 berth marina extension to the current one on the quay.

Many of us who live here would rather the tourism section was less successful so we did not have to live with all the congestion. Plenty of good places to eat, but mostly spoiled by the visitors!

 

[Robin]

Well, your prayers will be answered if the Harbour Commissioners get their plans for a 700 berth marina extension to the current one on the quay.

Many of us who live here would rather the tourism section was less successful so we did not have to live with all the congestion. Plenty of good places to eat, but mostly spoiled by the visitors!

Tourists are welcome IMO despite the added congestion, it is a tourist town and nobody wants to turn away business in these difficult times.

Food as in most places improves in quality and drops in price with the distance from the touristy areas, in this case Poole Quay. That is no different to other south coast harbours, or even in France, you just need to be a tad more adventurous than picking the first pub you reach from the boat.

It would be sad if visitors to Poole only went to the marinas because that would be to miss out on all the truly beautiful places in the harbour where it is totally free to anchor and not even harbour dues are charged. Not too many places left like that in the south these days.

I will miss Poole.

 

[Greenheart]

Is it really free, to drop the hook within the harbour? For how long?

 

[Robin]

The only places where visitor harbour dues are collected is at the marinas, including the yacht club ones. No dues are ever collected from visiting boats anywhere else in the harbour. Harbour dues are payable to all resident boats, be they on swinging moorings or in the marinas, so if the idea would be to get a free 'mooring' by anchoring it won't work!

 

[Greenheart]

Don't try to discourage me - I'm completely sold. With Weymouth, Durdle Door and Man of War Cove, that fabulous cliff-coast, Lulworth, Swanage and all of Purbeck (my favourite bit of England), plus a big free harbour full of islands...I want to spend next summer in Dorset.

All I need, is to find the courage to get past 'The Clashing Rocks'. Sorry - I mean, 'The Scything Chain Ferry'.

And, I could do with a boat, too...

 

[Seajet]

Tourists are welcome IMO despite the added congestion, it is a tourist town and nobody wants to turn away business in these difficult times.

Food as in most places improves in quality and drops in price with the distance from the touristy areas, in this case Poole Quay. That is no different to other south coast harbours, or even in France, you just need to be a tad more adventurous than picking the first pub you reach from the boat.

It would be sad if visitors to Poole only went to the marinas because that would be to miss out on all the truly beautiful places in the harbour where it is totally free to anchor and not even harbour dues are charged. Not too many places left like that in the south these days.

I will miss Poole.

Robin,

I must add that when staying near Poole for 10 days, we were at a camp site, so not tied to the quay; I know the place quite well, having visited annually since 1974.

It's a lovely place, but one has to search hard for even semi-decent nosh, and I didn't think I was that fussy !

The pub at St Peter's Finger did quite well, as did the slightly gastro-pub in Wareham, in a side road off to the right at the bottom of the main ( hill ) road; sorry I don't recall its' name.

 

[alant]

Tourists are welcome IMO despite the added congestion, it is a tourist town and nobody wants to turn away business in these difficult times.

Food as in most places improves in quality and drops in price with the distance from the touristy areas, in this case Poole Quay. That is no different to other south coast harbours, or even in France, you just need to be a tad more adventurous than picking the first pub you reach from the boat.

It would be sad if visitors to Poole only went to the marinas because that would be to miss out on all the truly beautiful places in the harbour where it is totally free to anchor and not even harbour dues are charged. Not too many places left like that in the south these days.

I will miss Poole.

Thats odd, I've always liked Poole, because it was a genuine working town.

If you want tourists, go to Bournemouth.

 

[Rustyknight]

Anyone interested enough in the 2001 incident can read the MAIB report linked to below.....

http://www.maib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/bramble-bush-bay.pdf

 

[Robin]

Thats odd, I've always liked Poole, because it was a genuine working town.

If you want tourists, go to Bournemouth.

I can't stand Bournemouth, it is either shopping city or nightclubs and neither appeal to me much and parking is a nightmare. SWMBO likes the shops (don't they all) but she uses her bus pass to get round the parking problem.

Poole has the Quay area which is an interesting and pleasant walk along to or from Baiter, or even Poole Park, provided you can find a spot to park in summer if not there by boat. Then there are the harbour boat trips, fishing trips, Brownsea Island trips, sometimes navy boats in to get a look over, or ditto one of the tall ships. Or take the chain ferry over to Shell Bay, Studland or Swanage (OK not Poole). Poole Park too is good, with a cafe (they call it restaurant), the boating lake with sailing dinghies to hire, paddle wheel swans or row boats, crazy golf, putting green, tennis courts and lawn bowls even Sunday cricket to watch.

But yes it is a working town too as you say.