Sea Side Rescue

[davidfox]

Watching the programme I too was baffled, I dont know the areas mentioned, but the boat was heavily reefed and apparently not making any headway, the engine had packed up, clearly time to change destination!
which is precisely what happened, the AWB turned up, said 'everyone all right' - 'ok follow me' as it clearly wasnt an option to put someone on board as noone was dieing and off they went to Brixham sailing as nice as you like with the AWB leading the way, when they got close to shore they took the yacht alongside and took it in, waste of resources if you ask me.
One thing i thought was funny was when the commentator said 'and one of the crew has done the fastnet'! I thought 'so what' as If that was a justification of how bad it all was.

 

[lovezoo]

However, we've all scared ourselves at sea (well if you are doing it seriously) and lived to tell the tale.

I´m just guessing here, but I would imagine that those who didn´t live to tell the tale probably aren´t going to be posting on this forum?

 

[elton]

It's only possible to call for rescue whilst you're still alive. How many have died because they called for help too late? How many wil call too late for fear of appearing on Seaside rescue and then being cricised here?

 

[flaming]

It's only possible to call for rescue whilst you're still alive. How many have died because they called for help too late? How many wil call too late for fear of appearing on Seaside rescue and then being cricised here?

I've long supported the view that it is better a few people call on the rescue services when not strictly needed than someone not for financial (or public ridicule) reasons. Hence I think charging for a lifeboat tow is a bad idea.

After all, venturing out to escort a yacht with a tired crew in less than perfect weather must be pretty decent training for the lifeboat.

Doesn't stop me having a pretty low opinion of the skippering ability of that particular "yachtsman" though.

 

[Sniper]

Thats nothing. A few episodes ago they used a helicopter to rescue a dog for *****s sake. For the fuel used you could have bought a dozen new pedigree mutts not to mention the freebies from the rescue kennels.

It's time the RNLI etc started charging.

P.S. And I'd class myself as a dog lover, having had 4 so far and having cried my eyes out when the last one had to be put down.

Leaving aside the philosophical discussion around the worth of a frightened, injured dog's life, don't you think that they viewed this as a useful training exercise? I know the SAR helicopter at Wattisham regularly asks ships and yachts for permission to land a winchman for training purposes. The rescue of the poor pooch might not be cost-effective for bean counters, but it will be good 'real' practice for the crew.

 

[ChrisE]

It's only possible to call for rescue whilst you're still alive. How many have died because they called for help too late? How many wil call too late for fear of appearing on Seaside rescue and then being cricised here?

You, too, have a point.

Personally, I coulddn't give a toss about being criticised by this forum. Too many here think that gales start when the gin gets spilled

 

[DC36]

Seaside Rescue - Episode 6 - Dreamcatcher

Guys,
I too watched last night's Seaside Rescue with a degree of cynicism. However, I am the skipper of Dreamcatcher and I think it's time I set the record straight:

Dreamcatcher and crew left Port Solent at 10pm the previous evening and despite the forecasted SE 15kts, we faced an increasingly strong SW wind as we passed Portland Bill. Half way across Lyme Bay I made the decision to abandon our passage plan to Salcombe and headed for Dartmouth. To ensure a safe and relatively comfortable point of sail in an increasingly choppy sea I reefed down (2 in the main, 2 in the jib) and for a short period started my engine while the tide was at it's strongest against me. It was at this time we were thrown off a wave and the engine took a gulp of air, causing the engine to fail. Not a problem, Dreamcatcher is an incredibly strong Rob Humphries designed hull, so we just tacked towards Dartmouth. When we were about 10 miles off I called the Brixham Coastguard to request assistance to put us on a berth when we got into Dartmouth.

The whole 'Seaside Rescue' experience started when in about 44kts of true wind, the radar reflector tore free of it's mounting and fell into the sea. At this time the rain had started to fall heavily and the vis was about 1nm. After tracking us for a while Brixham Coastguard lost our signal made their own decision to launch the lifeboat. There was no Mayday or Pan-Pan made.

The lifeboat came towards our position and not knowing we were still making progress (albeit slow) circled us and asked if I needed a tow. This offer was declined, but as the lifeboat was from Brixham I suggested I follow them into the sheltered waters of Torbay. Once at Torbay they kindly took us alongside and popped us on a berth.

There is no doubt this situation was always under control, but you skipper to the limitations of your crew and we were all getting a little tired by then.

FYI: I hold a full DoT / RYA Yachmaster certificate, have 30 years experience and about equivalent number of miles under my keel.

 

[puddock]

You, too, have a point.

Personally, I coulddn't give a toss about being criticised by this forum. Too many here think that gales start when the gin gets spilled

Brilliant.

 

[DC36]

Don't believe everything you see on TV

I'm the skipper of Dreamcatcher. I posted a lengthy response about two hours ago, but my reply seems to have evaporated in the ether. Anyway, as it says in the title; Don't believe everything you see on TV!

 

[snooks]

I'm the skipper of Dreamcatcher. I posted a lengthy response about two hours ago, but my reply seems to have evaporated in the ether.

Hi DC36,
Your reply didn't vanish into the ether, it was awaiting moderation (because you hadn't posted here before) Anyway, now you're here....Welcome!

Don't be put off by the comments by peeps who are too quick to jump to conclusions without the full story. They'll probably be back to apologise in a bit

 

[elton]

I'm the skipper of Dreamcatcher. I posted a lengthy response about two hours ago, but my reply seems to have evaporated in the ether. Anyway, as it says in the title; Don't believe everything you see on TV!

I'm glad it turned out ok for you and your crew. Don't take any notice of the critics; it always happens on here when a story like yours appears in the media. I posted on these forums about my own little disaster before the story appeared in the news, and someone asked how I was able to type with 6 broken fingers

 

[Cornishman]

the powers that be do a jolly fine job and are well worth their tax monies

I do hope you don't include the RNLI in that remark

 

[ChrisE]

I'm the skipper of Dreamcatcher. I posted a lengthy response about two hours ago, but my reply seems to have evaporated in the ether. Anyway, as it says in the title; Don't believe everything you see on TV!

Well, there you go another mystery cleared up.

I'm sorry that you were misrepresented by the BBC and I apologise if any of my comments upset you, they weren't meant personally.

 

[Athene V30]

Guys,
I too watched last night's Seaside Rescue with a degree of cynicism. However, I am the skipper of Dreamcatcher and I think it's time I set the record straight:

Thank you for doing this. Presumably the BBC had to ask your permission to show this 'rescue'. If they have misrepresented the situation so badly why allow them to show it?

 

[DJE]

Guys,
I too watched last night's Seaside Rescue with a degree of cynicism. However, I am the skipper of Dreamcatcher and I think it's time I set the record straight:

Thanks for doing just that. Must have been a surprise to see a camera man on the lifeboat. I keep hoping that they'll take the film crew on a long distance shout in rough weather to see how they cope.

And welcome to the forum, I hope you stick around.

 

[jimi]

Personally I beleive that the perceived demand for drama renders any media reporting a work of fiction.

 

[DC36]

Response to Seaside Rescue comments

Guys,

The BBC did ask our permission to show the edited footage, but we didn't see the final cut until it was broadcasted on Wednesday. As for the other comments: I had rotated the crew on a three hourly basis and did consider other destinations, but there's not that many options when you're crossing Lyme Bay!

If any fault is to be apportioned it is with the Met Office who were still forecasting SE 15kts as the SW 44kt wind ripped off the radar reflector and destroyed my windex.

The net results of this event are some excellent footage of Dreamcatcher, a considerable degree of respect for our emergency services (thanks again Brixham lifeboat) and more experience for the entire crew. BTW: Simon did the 2007 Fastnet, which I think we all agree was a 'bit bumpy'!

 

[lovezoo]

Presumably the BBC had to ask your permission to show this 'rescue'. If they have misrepresented the situation so badly why allow them to show it?

I doubt if the BBC went to the trouble of making the programme and then afterwards asked the people in it for permission to air it. I suspect they asked for permission at the time they did the filming and then edited the material the way they wanted to. Remember Martin Bashir and Michael Jackson?

 

[drawkins]

It's always illuminating to get the truth hiding behind these reports in the media.I do not have a TV but this programme would seem to have been a complete work of fiction and as such should have been advertised as such.What is the damage to the skippers reputation ,which may or may not matter, but nevertheless is very important.
I was interested to know the technical details of the engine failure.

 

[Duffer]

I saw the programme and thought it raised more questions than it answered. I am glad that there was a sensible explanation and the most important thing is that you are all OK. The BBC does have a responsibility not to misrepresent "casualties" in these shows and I hope they will try harder in future.