Solent Coatgard passage plan.

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derekgillard

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Heard 5 this morning while I was out in the Solent wind SW F2, one a single handed trip to Dartmouth, and two to Alderney fine by me, what got me was one passage plan Hamble to Langstone and the best Portsmouth to the Folly which said and I quote (not sure how long we will be there Solent will let you know when we intend to return).

When is a passage plan sensible and when is it for a skipper to show off to his friends that he can talk to the coastguard?
 
Don't think a passage plan is required for Portsmouth to Folly, as its within the area bounded by the Needles, Hurst, Bembridge and Hayling (or some such) which is defined as an exempt area.

Theoretically a plan's required for the other passages but - particularly for Hamble to Langstone - I don't think I'd bother telling the Coastguard. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
It's all about pushing back thresholds, climbinbg mountains or whatever. Most of us started small and got bigger. So for a 23ft gaffer, getting to Cowes from anywhere is an achievement, even (particularly?) in F2. And not unreasonable to want someone to hold your hand the first time.
After a few seasons they'll be thrashing to Alderney in half a gale - but hopefully NOT taking the mick out of someone summoning up the courage to head for . . . the Folly.

What you need young Derek is to be cast adrift in something like a 16ft Silhouette with baggy sails and a temperamnetal Seagull o/b while we log your progress.
 
No point in giving a passage plan anyway. Less you know some one ashore that will ring coast guards if you fail to arive on time. Coast guards only check if they get a call that your missing.

So say CG when I forgot to tell them I was in CI's. Not bothered since.
 
It's a modern trend, thirty plus years ago nobody even had a radio let alone a passage plan - they just told Mum they would be home for tea.

At 14 I used to take a 14 foot clinker dinghy from Whale island over to Ryde with an old 1948 Seagull on the back and a pair of oars in case I ran out of petrol. 24ft boats were setting off to sail around the world! Just goes to show the type of people buying boats now.
 
Oh, I did a few weeks ago. Asked for a radio check. Told them, the dog had ripped it to bit's and I wondered if it was still working now I'd stuck it together again. They asked how the dog was!! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Rubbish now come one , if he can use a radio ( I guess having taken the exam) and can go to sea with a crew of 3 he does not need to tell the coast guard he's off to the Folly . If as you suggest he is that uncertain then an RYA course would be better.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Heard 5 this morning while I was out in the Solent wind SW F2, one a single handed trip to Dartmouth, and two to Alderney fine by me, what got me was one passage plan Hamble to Langstone and the best Portsmouth to the Folly which said and I quote (not sure how long we will be there Solent will let you know when we intend to return).

When is a passage plan sensible and when is it for a skipper to show off to his friends that he can talk to the coastguard?

[/ QUOTE ]

Dont rip the [--word removed--] out of someone that tries to use his radio in a sensible way.....after spending many years as a lifeboat coxswain I and the C/G fully understand the importance of the VHF......if that guy felt happy putting in a TR I know for sure the C/G were happy to take his call. I guess you only use yours for calling over your mates (If you have any!!) to invite them over for a Pimms!!!!!

Paul.
 
gaff rigged ......... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif rn sailing club, thats where I cut my teeth as well - but didnt have an engine in my day, just big oars (for a little boy)
long day out when the wind dropped.

thinking back, amazing when you think there were no bouyancy bags, radios, restrictions or even rules (apart from having to wear one of those horrible capoc lifejackets). how did we survive ? /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Don't think a passage plan is required for Portsmouth to Folly, as its within the area bounded by the Needles, Hurst, Bembridge and Hayling (or some such) which is defined as an exempt area.

Theoretically a plan's required for the other passages but - particularly for Hamble to Langstone - I don't think I'd bother telling the Coastguard. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ] Is it ever "required" to submit a passage plan to the CG?
 
[ QUOTE ]
...(apart from having to wear one of those horrible capoc lifejackets). how did we survive ? /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
Forgotten the lifejackets - do you think they have dried out yet? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Paul,

While I understand and agree with your sentiment, I also feel that there is far too much use made of the VHF for 'inappropriate' traffic nowadays, and we need to re-establish a culture of 'use when neccessary only'...

Difficult one this, as you point out.... for some a passage to the Folly is quite a grand adventure.... but I do feel that the CG might have suggested, albeit politely, that it was perhaps a little over cautious in this case....
 
I dont think its ever required as such, CG66 is a voluntary safety identification scheme and if you haven't submitted a CG66 you can't file a passage plan as far as I know.

I've filled out the CG66 form but never called a passage plan in for crossings from Solent -> Cherbourg, Alderney or down to the West Country. I don't really see what benefit it would give, SWMBO doesn't sail with me and (I assume/hope!) she would raise the alarm if I was seriously overdue on an ETA anyway.

Chris
 
What a waste of the CG's time. Can't imagine any reason for giving them a passage plan. They don't do anything with it unless someone ashore reports you 'missing'. Obviously just likes talking on the radio.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Is it ever "required" to submit a passage plan to the CG?

[/ QUOTE ] No, it's not - ever - as others have said.

My point was that it's not actually required even to prepare one if you're not going out of the confines of the Solent, whereas it is for other voyages. The "Plan" may be in your head, loaded into your GPS as waypoints, scribbled on a piece of paper or even tatooed on your foreskin but it's got to be prepared. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
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