Sea Cadet Accident on Solent

[jheynder]

Sorry to see this:

Sea cadet, 14, dies after falling from ship in Solent

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/8657813.stm

 

[stafs]

Tragic, thoughts go out to the Family and all that were onboard at the time.

 

[toad_oftoadhall]

Sorry to see this:

Sea cadet, 14, dies after falling from ship in Solent

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/8657813.stm

She was moored opposite Haslar Marina earlier today, nothing seemed out of place.

Tragic.

 

[Phideaux]

We were en route back from Poole to Hamble when we heard this on Ch16. At the time it sounded as if there was one injured and one overboard (but not according to the BBC report). The OB was put into a dingy and CG scrambled police launch and helicopter (OB non-responsive but with weak pulse). I have to say that whoever was on the radio at the accident kept their cool, gave clear details, asked clear questions and as far as radio procedure goes would be a good example to many.

Very, very sorry to hear of the outcome.

 

[activesail]

Terrible news.. My sympathy goes out to the family.

 

[westernman]

A tragic accident. I'll be interested in learning what happened - apparently he was wearing a safety harness when he fell from aloft. Probably seriously injured when he hit the water.

I just hope that this accident does not cause regulations to be introduced which will effectively put an end to square rigged sail training ships - that would be tragic too.

 

[stafs]

She was moored opposite Haslar Marina earlier today, nothing seemed out of place.

Tragic.

I saw her there the only thing out of place was a Policeman stood on the gangway.

 

[prv]

A tragic accident. I'll be interested in learning what happened - apparently he was wearing a safety harness when he fell from aloft. Probably seriously injured when he hit the water.

I just hope that this accident does not cause regulations to be introduced which will effectively put an end to square rigged sail training ships - that would be tragic too.

Seconded.

Clearly if he fell the harness must have either failed or not been clipped on. If he fell directly into the water, and the ship was at anchor (ie not heeling over), then he must have been on a yard, not on the ratlines or transferring from mast to yard. On the ships I've sailed on, and I can't imagine Royalist is any different, there's a safety wire all along the yard to which you clip before getting onto it, and have no need to unclip from until you're getting off again. It's not the case (as some people imagine) that a single slip has you done for. Multiple things must have gone wrong for this terrible accident to have occurred.

Pete

 

[tel1]

Seconded.

Clearly if he fell the harness must have either failed or not been clipped on. If he fell directly into the water, and the ship was at anchor (ie not heeling over), then he must have been on a yard, not on the ratlines or transferring from mast to yard. On the ships I've sailed on, and I can't imagine Royalist is any different, there's a safety wire all along the yard to which you clip before getting onto it, and have no need to unclip from until you're getting off again. It's not the case (as some people imagine) that a single slip has you done for. Multiple things must have gone wrong for this terrible accident to have occurred.

Pete

During my years as a sea cadet i sailed on the royalist 4 times each one week at a time. you climb up the side of the mast using the rope ladders on the side. (forgot what they are called, sorry) but this is where there is no clip on points (or there was not 5 years ago) the only time you clipped on was when you was walking out on the to the edge of the boom bits (teribley sorry for spelling and use of words, been a while since ive been on a square rigger) So it sounds like that he probabley fell whilst climbing up the mast on the rope ladders.

Its a very sad story and my thoughts are with his family, the royalist is a brilliant training ship and gives young people a chance to experiance a sailors life.

 

[Searush]

Hi Tel,
The "ladders" are called Ratlines & the horizontal wooden bits are Yardarms. You are, of course correct about the safety lines. It is pointless trying to use a safety line when climbing & you have both feet & hands in use for holding on. When furling sails one should be clipped on so you can lean over the sail standing on the footrope & bundle it up with both hands.

An early report said that the poor lad had fallen from the lower foward yardarm, but I forget which side. The Royalist had just anchored so the buntlines will have been used to depower the sails & the watch will have gone up to do a harbour stow.

 

[tel1]

Hi Tel,
The "ladders" are called Ratlines & the horizontal wooden bits are Yardarms. You are, of course correct about the safety lines. It is pointless trying to use a safety line when climbing & you have both feet & hands in use for holding on. When furling sails one should be clipped on so you can lean over the sail standing on the footrope & bundle it up with both hands.

An early report said that the poor lad had fallen from the lower foward yardarm, but I forget which side. The Royalist had just anchored so the buntlines will have been used to depower the sails & the watch will have gone up to do a harbour stow.

Many thanks for helping me with my explanations. you are indeed correct about the watch stowing the sails, however even though the staff were very good at telling you off from not putting your lifeline on teenagers will be teenagers. i can remember that certanatly after my 3rd week on board the royalist i thought that the lifeline was pointless, we allways wore them when aloft and underway, but when we were at anchor/alongside and the staff were not looking i took mine off, or sometimes did not wear it at all. i used to think "what can happen when alongside" obviousley this was me being a teenager thinking i know best. of course i have now grown up and realise how stupid it was.

I do hope that the royalist can carry on operating, not only does it take out sea cadets it also takes other communties of children and gives them a very good life experiance.

 

[Alfie168]

Its clearly impractical to clip on when climbing the ratlines, but once you get to the futtock shrouds, there should be a rope to clip on to as you have to lean out and back to negotiate the futtock shrouds and climb onto the mast top. You then unclip, and clip on again when you 'step on' to the yard calling out "Stepping on to port/starboard" so that others already on the yard are ready for the shift of the yard as your weight bears on it.

There are therefore a few opportunities to fall, but its an indisciplined ship that allows anyone the option not to be clipped on when they should be. Our very own Topman (man in control of our watch aloft) on Endeavour was given a rollocking for not being clipped on. The importance of this was borne out when a permanent crew member did indeed fall and was certainly saved by the safety line, but not on my brief voyages.

Its terribly sad when this happens. We don't know the exact circumstances as yet, but I'm sure it will not stop TS Royalist. Their procedures will be gone over with a toothcombe, and there may be changes recommended. Lets just hope nobody was negligent in their duty of care to the poor lad. Sometimes accidents are just that and beyond any reasonable control.


Tim