Seastart breakdown cover

[lanerboy]

Are any of you members of this for breakdown assistance, I am thinking of joining for a bit of security I carry tools and spares but I am not fully competent in this area. I am based in Weymouth and looking at the coverage area they will not cover me if I go west but do cover me east bound.

Also they only cover up to 3 miles off shore and if you need a tow back these are chargeable on top of the membership costs.

If you were to break down more than 3 miles off shore would you pay extra or call the lifeboat if it was not a life threatening situation, I have only cruised in company so far in my boat so help is always at hand but what is the correct procedure if I were to go out alone and break down

cheers

 

[[2068]]

what is the correct procedure if I were to go out alone and break down

Pan Pan, Pan Pan, Pan Pan.
This is Motor Vessel lanerboy, lanerboy, lanerboy. call sign Mike Lima Echo Hotel Eight.
My position is 50 28.8'N 2 20.1'W
Both engines have failed completely.
Requesting a tow back to Weymouth and a reservation for two at Il Porto.
White superstructure, two persons onboard.
Over.

 

[kanajobe48]

Hi
We have been members of sea start for 4 years now, only had to call on them once for flat batteries after a night on an hour, they were on boat within a hour and up and running within a further 20 mins, I think everyone should consider joining as must reduce the amount of call outs the RNLI get, I would have felt guiltily pulling a volunteer away from his BBQ on a Sunday afternoon because of my need for chilled wine!
Not sure of the small print though, but rate their sevice,
Nafe

 

[Searush]

Pan Pan, Pan Pan, Pan Pan.
This is Motor Vessel lanerboy, lanerboy, lanerboy. call sign Mike Lima Echo Hotel Eight.
My position is 50 28.8'N 2 20.1'W
Both engines have failed completely.
Requesting a tow back to Weymouth and a reservation for two at Il Porto.
White superstructure, two persons onboard.
Over.

Yup, quite a few do that. Sometimes twice on a passage. :encouragement:

 

[lanerboy]

Pan Pan, Pan Pan, Pan Pan.
This is Motor Vessel lanerboy, lanerboy, lanerboy. call sign Mike Lima Echo Hotel Eight.
My position is 50 28.8'N 2 20.1'W
Both engines have failed completely.
Requesting a tow back to Weymouth and a reservation for two at Il Porto.
White superstructure, two persons onboard.
Over.

Yes I understand that but I must admit It makes me feel a bit guilty calling out the life boat when no life is in danger, I know people may say life is always in danger if you break down

I suppose even if I do join though if I am more than 3 miles off shore it would be a call to the coastguard for lifeboat assistance anyway but at least if I am close enough it will prevent the lifeboat from coming out and for about £150 a year thats only a couple of hrs cruising fuel at most

 

[[2068]]

Yes I understand that but I must admit It makes me feel a bit guilty calling out the life boat when no life is in danger, I know people may say life is always in danger if you break down

I suppose even if I do join though if I am more than 3 miles off shore it would be a call to the coastguard for lifeboat assistance anyway but at least if I am close enough it will prevent the lifeboat from coming out and for about £150 a year thats only a couple of hrs cruising fuel at most

But you are not calling the lifeboat, you are letting the Coastguard know that you need some help.
It's then their job to find you some.
They will often put out a call to "any vessel" that might be nearby.
Or a local service like "ryde rescue" or "hayling rescue" might respond.
Then if all else fails, they will call out the RNLI.

Don't feel guilty about calling the Coastguard if you break down. Even if someone else rescues you, or you manage to get it going yourself and limp home, they'd still rather know in case the situation becomes more serious. But joining SeaStart might be useful if you can't change a belt or a filter. Join for a season ... then learn how to change a belt or a filter

SeaStart offer Breakdown Assistance, and are not really a rescue service. It's a subtle difference. Think AA. The AA won't help you if you've tumbled off the road into a ravine.

.

 

[z1ppy]

Have always been a member with them when we have had boats, called them once when we had throttle issues whilst down at totland bay. They were with us in half an hour on a very busy day and got us going within an hour.

For the cost of a half decent meal, the years membership is well worth it in my view! We will be members again!!

 

[stuartwineberg]

Yep - always been a member. Used them twice - both times my fault - cooked an impeller by not opening the engine seacock on a sailing yacht and couldn't get the nackered one out of the pump and ran out of fuel delivering my latest mobo because the gauges were ******** miles out - both times on the spot very quickly, dealt with the problem professionally and didn't make me feel as much of an idiot as I probably was. The fuel out incident resulted in a tow of over 45 mins and there was no suggestion of additional charges

 

[Searush]

They have very limited coverage tho, the business model doesn't seem to work away from the South Coast. I wonder why?

 

[lanerboy]

They have very limited coverage tho, the business model doesn't seem to work away from the South Coast. I wonder why?

yes I had a n email back saying they would not cover me over Lyme bay but I would be covered when I got to torquay area but I am covered all the way from Portland to solent so I am ok as long as I go east lol

 

[MILLIE BOO TOO]

Have been a member of Seastart from the start, called them out two times in The Solent area, very responsive and absolutely great value for money ....morally .. Paying for Seastart to deal with non emergencies IMHO is correct but if really in the p00h would always call the coastguard and request assistance from them.

 

[Jurgen]

Joined last week, had to call the out the following day for a problem with a throttle cable.

Very quick response and sorted the problem.

Worth the money.

Re assistance more than 3 miles offshore, if you loose all power then there is only 1 option as suggested Pan Pan Pan.

Might not seem like a life threatening issue until the tide or wind kick up!

 

[Barleycorn]

Don't forget they will supply divers to clear your prop if you get tangled up.
I joined them with my last boat when they started up, and rejoined now that I have a boat again. Worth it for the peace of mind.

 

[lanerboy]

well all good comments about them so I have just joined, like people say its nice to know you have some other source of back up and not just the coastguard who may have more important issues to attend too

 

[superheat6k]

well all good comments about them so I have just joined, like people say its nice to know you have some other source of back up and not just the coastguard who may have more important issues to attend too

As they are only effectively providing 2/3 of the service did you get a 33% discount ?

I was a member when I had one engine and I called them out once, and they were very prompt, but when I got two they wanted more fee, for what in my view was a lesser risk that I would call them. I am also fortunate that I can sort for myself the vast majority of simply faults, so my need would be only when a boat stopping fault occurs, and with twin engines that is going to be far less likely. Their view was that they would likely get more calls to two engines, and I can see that such a view makes commercial sense for lesser issues I would not bother them with.

They also run some excellent courses on basic diesel maintenance and how to deal with breakdowns.

I also would prefer not to call the RNLI or their kin unless absolutely necessary, but the bottom line here is I do make what I believe is a reasonable contribution to them and other lifeboat services and also take every possible precaution never to need them, with a full inventory of safety gear to suit coastal and offshore cruising. So if a twin engine failure does occur and I cannot re-start then call them I will, certainly my area of greatest concern would be an offshore breakdown, and if Seastart don't go more than 3 miles out then I see no point at all.

I do recall when I did join they covered the central English Channel coast to coast, but perhaps they have curtailed that now.

 

[l'escargot]

...I do recall when I did join they covered the central English Channel coast to coast, but perhaps they have curtailed that now.

Still provide shoreside services both sides of the channel, with waterborne cover south and southwest: http://www.seastart.co.uk/membership/area-of-coverage/