Solent Pan Pan

BruceK said:
I am not imposing any criticism at all, just for the record. Just a question on prudence. Should I advise the CG if I am down on power but confident or is it best to forewarn them in case there are further issues. I am a bit shy that way and have always had a policy of self help.

And if so is it a PAN PAN or just a advisory call on channel 65 or whatever local coast watch channel
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No, not NCI - they are not a coordination authority in any way. They're great at what they do, but for the situation you describe it's either CG, or VTS in areas like Southampton or Portsmouth.
 
It was I. The reason for the Pan Pan was possibility of a fire erupting as I had an engine room full of what at first glance seemed to be smoke. I would not issue a Pan Pan otherwise. I was able to get back the few miles to the Hamble on my other engine.

My thought train was better to have SCG alerted just in case, and for the Pan Pan call was the correct thing to do in a decsion made immediately I saw the engine room full of dark grey on the engine room camera, and straight after I had approached it with a fire extinguisher in hand.
 
BruceK said:
Yes but Im not wanting any coordination and the local CG is getting iffy with routine traffic calls.
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NCI wouldn't really know what to do with that sort of call - they would only report to the CG anyway.

That's worrying about Solent - I wouldn't call that sort of call "routine" (I'm ex CG watch officer) and it's what they're there for!
 
Im not in the Solent. And to be honest this is dragging away from my initial query. If Im down an engine but perfectly safe and confident in my being able to make passage do you notify the CG as their is a hightenned element of risk or wait until the risk presents itself.

So as perhaps a example starboard engine down and no steering assistance now. Boat is perfectly manageable and no assistance is required. However if the wind and swell picked up you might come unstuck.

Do you notify the CG incase of this eventuality and they may know something you dont, or do you wait until you see the wind change and know whats coming?
 
BruceK said:
Im not in the Solent. And to be honest this is dragging away from my initial query. If Im down an engine but perfectly safe and confident in my being able to make passage do you notify the CG as their is a hightenned element of risk or wait until the risk presents itself.

So as perhaps a example starboard engine down and no steering assistance now. Boat is perfectly manageable and no assistance is required. However if the wind and swell picked up you might come unstuck.

Do you notify the CG incase of this eventuality and they may know something you dont, or do you wait until you see the wind change and know whats coming?
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In that situation I'd have to say it's down to the skipper - and every person may have a different view. Personally, I wouldn't call anyone as long as I was confident in the vessel and conditions, but would have it in the back of my mind if need be. Other more nervous people might call early... I'd say either was fine.

Sad about the CG though - assuming yours in Holyhead - but the trouble is now you may not be speaking to anyone in Holyhead at the time...
 
superheat6k said:
My thought train was better to have SCG alerted just in case, and for the Pan Pan call was the correct thing to do in a decsion made immediately I saw the engine room full of dark grey on the engine room camera, and straight after I had approached it with a fire extinguisher in hand.
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Sounds like exactly the right course of action TBH, better alerted someone of a potential issue than find it escalated and no one new until it was too late. Also alerts any boats nearby that they "may" need to provide assistance, not just about CG.

Hope everything is OK with the Corvette :)

Cheers,

TC
 
The OP started out with two engines. He ended up with one and an engine compartment with no visibility. No idea at the time of what had gone wrong. Was it going to get worse, fire, or loose the other one?
Perfect use of PanPan call. Why anybody should de-cry it or question his judgement is completely beyond me.
He was there, we weren’t. He was skipper, not us.
Pleased it turned out well and unlikely to be on the nine o’clock news or tomorrow’ s front pages.
 
Wind your neck in and learn to read. Nobody has and nobody until they had heard the story would without being a complete idiot. So far the only idiot is you. There's always one.
 
jrudge said:
As a pilot I can assure you losing an engine is a ( minimum!) of a Pan Pan!

To me Pan is I am here, I might need help and I am not happy. Mayday is come and get me.

I dont know the sea state, the experience of the skipper, what else went wrong at the same time ( spilt cooling hose for example), if the other engine was in any way compromised, if there were very young children on board who were upset, could they small smoke etc etc etc. It all goes to the overall atmosphere on board and is the skippers decision.

Personally if it was just an engine failure, the weather was Ok and the rest was normal then I would plod home, but a Pan would do no harm. If it was rough and I had a long way to go then on balance I probably would.

I did a Pan on an aircraft as the engine hatch came loose and it moved 3 inches or so. I slowed down and landed etc - but I did want them to know where I was, what was up etc in case it escalated - which it didn't.

I hope the boat is fixed for a fair price rapidly.
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I agree fully with this, (also a pilot) a Pan call is "I have a problem, please monitor me but I am ok at the moment." With a Pan call all the details have been given while things are under control and before the proverbial hits the fan (if it does) Everything is setup should a MayDay be called and time is of an essence. Good call from SH6K in my opinion.
 
Thanks for all the concerns
TheCoach said:
Sounds like exactly the right course of action TBH, better alerted someone of a potential issue than find it escalated and no one new until it was too late. Also alerts any boats nearby that they "may" need to provide assistance, not just about CG.

Hope everything is OK with the Corvette :)

Cheers,

TC
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The starboard engine is goosed, so I am booking her for a haul out to remove the engine for overhaul and repair. I reckon this will be at least 2-3 months ashore as this is going to be one heck of a task, so I'm afraid the offer for a test ride has to be withdrawn or at least postponed several months, sorry.
 
superheat6k said:
It was I. The reason for the Pan Pan was possibility of a fire erupting as I had an engine room full of what at first glance seemed to be smoke. I would not issue a Pan Pan otherwise. I was able to get back the few miles to the Hamble on my other engine.

My thought train was better to have SCG alerted just in case, and for the Pan Pan call was the correct thing to do in a decsion made immediately I saw the engine room full of dark grey on the engine room camera, and straight after I had approached it with a fire extinguisher in hand.
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Pleased to hear that you got back alongside safely but sorry to hear that it might not be a trivial matter with the engine - fingers crossed that it isn’t too bad. Edit - cross posted and just seen that it looks like an engine out job - sorry to hear that.

A Pan Pan call was the right thing to do in the circumstances IMHO.
.
 
superheat6k said:
I reckon this will be at least 2-3 months ashore as this is going to be one heck of a task, so I'm afraid the offer for a test ride has to be withdrawn or at least postponed several months, sorry.
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Yep totally appreciate that - no problem at all, hope the repairs aren't to fundamental. :oops:

Cheers,

TC
 
superheat6k said:
Thanks for all the concerns

The starboard engine is goosed, so I am booking her for a haul out to remove the engine for overhaul and repair. I reckon this will be at least 2-3 months ashore as this is going to be one heck of a task, so I'm afraid the offer for a test ride has to be withdrawn or at least postponed several months, sorry.
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That’s not good news. And all because of a bit of weed. I hope the repairs go well.
 
MrB said:
I agree fully with this, (also a pilot) a Pan call is "I have a problem, please monitor me but I am ok at the moment." With a Pan call all the details have been given while things are under control and before the proverbial hits the fan (if it does) Everything is setup should a MayDay be called and time is of an essence. Good call from SH6K in my opinion.
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I hate to say it especially as have friends in the Coastguard but I’m not sure I’d trust the same as ATC now.

PW
 
deleted. Everyday a school day.

(I was under the impression that a PAN PAN was a call for non urgent assistance / not necessarily)
 
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