Solent today?

[pikeyrm]

Hi does anyone know the reason for all the boats virtually parked on eastern bramble marker this morning (10:00)

 

[doris]

Was there any wind? If not I suspect they were waiting for some breeze to start a race.

 

[pikeyrm]

very little wind. surely if it was a race then there is a better place to start a race then in the middle there blocking the channel.

 

[Keen_Ed]

Warsash spring series.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

very little wind. surely if it was a race then there is a better place to start a race then in the middle there blocking the channel.

If they were virtually parked on Bramble Bank then they were'nt blocking the channel - seems sensible to me !!

 

[flaming]

Yes, Warsash spring series.

Committee boat was anchored about 1/2 mile north West of East bramble, most of the rest of the fleet were just drifting until they got too far down tide, then firing up the donk and heading back uptide. Some anchored, but to be honest that just seemed like a lot of effort.

They gave up at 12 and we all went home.

Still, I can think of worse places to read the Sunday papers than drifting around the Solent in the Sun!

 

[Twister_Ken]

As opposed to the 40 foot motorboat that parked on the Brambles on Saturday evening (how, FFS, it was so shallow that waves were breaking on it) and had to be RNLI'd when the water came back.

 

[Ubergeekian]

As opposed to the 40 foot motorboat that parked on the Brambles on Saturday evening (how, FFS, it was so shallow that waves were breaking on it) and had to be RNLI'd when the water came back.

Lifeboat? Why - had they run out of tonic?

 

[[2068]]

Running into a bank like that at speed could have damaged props or drives requiring a tow. Strangely enough, motorboats are quite reliant on propellors.

Anyway, it was probably just a mix-up about the dates for the cricket match.

 

[Ubergeekian]

Running into a bank like that at speed could have damaged props or drives requiring a tow. Strangely enough, motorboats are quite reliant on propellors.

Then they should have called and paid for a tug, not relied on volunteer lifesavers to save them some money. It's about time the RNLI started making proper salvage claims.

 

[Garold]

You know Uber, I'm not sure if your comment was made tongue in cheek, but that is a good topic for debate.

But if the RNLI did begin to make salvage claims, it would have an impact on all of us.

I have been sailing in the summer and heard many call outs that really were not urgent and resolved itself soon after the shout was made. Maybe if there was the possibility of a charge it would have an impact on these numbers.

However, I am not suggesting that the mobo guy shouldn't have had RNLI assistance, just that I understand your view.

Equally, if I ever call them out, I wouldn't want to be concerned with salvage claims etc. Mmmmh. Clearly a topic for varied opinions.

 

[Ubergeekian]

You know Uber, I'm not sure if your comment was made tongue in cheek, but that is a good topic for debate.

It was entirely serious.

When I stuck some cash in the Kirkcudbright Co-Op RNLI box yesterday, I was giving money to the Royal National LIFEBoat Institution. I wasn't giving to the Free Tugs For The Incompetent Association.

In this case - and of course I know very little about it - it would appear that the boat and its occupants were in no danger whatsoever, so using the RNLIs hard-won cash to save them the cost of a tow seems quite unjustified.

But if the RNLI did begin to make salvage claims, it would have an impact on all of us.

I quite understand the view that anything which deters people from calling when they are in real danger is a Bad Thing. However, I expect insurers could include cover for RNLI salvage costs in cases, but only in cases, where a significant risk to life had existed.

I am perturbed at the extent to which some boaters seem to view lifeboats as a marine version of the AA, and as a free substitute for planning. In this case, I think the coastguard would have been better to send out a commercial towing outfit to bring them in at full commercial rates, just as the police do if you break down on the motorway.

What makes me so hardline about this? Well, I was on holiday in Cornwall last summer, and I visited St Ives lifeboat house. There you can see the names of the nine crew who were given medals after a 1938 rescue in which the lifeboat capsized - and the memorial to the eight of them who died the following year when the replacement lifeboat was lost.

It really brought home to me what remarkable people lifeboat crews are. I am humbled that they will put their lives on the line to save their fellow seafarers, and I think it is a gross abuse of their kindness to call them out for trivia.

And ... relax ...

 

[fireball]

I can see exactly where you're coming from .... if there is no life in danger then there should be a charge for services - like any commercial operation.

However,
1) No life in danger is difficult to judge - and who judges it - the 'victim' or the RNLI - I may not be able to cope with a situation whereas you can ... so I might need help ... should I pay?
2) No life in danger now, isn't no life in danger if the RNLI do not lend a hand ... situations can get worse - rapidly ... CG & RNLI would rather lend a hand rather than recover bodies ...
3) It all helps with the RNLI training ... towing a vessel in is never the same and they get to try different techniques with different staffing giving them much more experience to call on when it is time critical - obviously they don't want too much of this ... but a certain amount can help.

 

[wooslehunter]

Are you sure it was RNLI'd off?

There are potentilly 4 units that who could have got this job: Cowes RNLI, Calshot RNLI, Hamble Lifeboat & GAFIRS (Stokes Bay). The latter 2 of these are not RNLI.

While the RNLI do a great job, let's not forget that there are planty of non-RNLI lifeboats around our coasts also doing a great job. But, without the obvious public perception that they are RNLI & also without a huge payed fundraising organisation.

The coastguard is the controlling authority in most lifeboat launches. It's them who make a decision to allocate resources & then who determine the seriousness or potential seriousness. As we all know, things go from bad to very bad very quickly on the sea. It's far better to get some help early before things turn bad than to wait until it's too late. Also as said previously, every incident's different. There's no substitute for as much training as possible. If the lifeboats, helicopters, shore crews, coasties etc etc only responded to life in danger incidents, then they would be no where near as well trained as thye are.

 

[Ubergeekian]

1) No life in danger is difficult to judge - and who judges it - the 'victim' or the RNLI - I may not be able to cope with a situation whereas you can ... so I might need help ... should I pay?

The RNLI turn up and offer to take the crew on board. If this is accepted the lifeboat coxswain may do whats/he likes about the abandoned boat. Any salvage would result in a claim and it would be up to the owner to arrange suitable insurance and argue with the insurers.

Frankly, anyone who manages to drive a motorboat onto the best known underwater hazard in Britain deserves an expensive learning experience.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Are you sure it was RNLI'd off?

There are potentilly 4 units that who could have got this job: Cowes RNLI, Calshot RNLI, Hamble Lifeboat & GAFIRS (Stokes Bay). The latter 2 of these are not RNLI.

I'm sure. Heard Solent CG talking with Calshot LB, saw the mobo aground with a big blue and orange boat standing by, saw it towed back into Hamble Point, saw it on the Calshot RNLI www.

 

[fireball]

Frankly, anyone who manages to drive a motorboat onto the best known underwater hazard in Britain deserves an expensive learning experience.

That's a bit harsh ... as we don't (well - not mentioned in this thread) know how/why he managed to park there ...

 

[Blue5]

Are you sure it was RNLI'd off?

There are potentilly 4 units that who could have got this job: Cowes RNLI, Calshot RNLI, Hamble Lifeboat & GAFIRS (Stokes Bay). The latter 2 of these are not RNLI.

While the RNLI do a great job, let's not forget that there are planty of non-RNLI lifeboats around our coasts also doing a great job. But, without the obvious public perception that they are RNLI & also without a huge payed fundraising organisation.

The coastguard is the controlling authority in most lifeboat launches. It's them who make a decision to allocate resources & then who determine the seriousness or potential seriousness. As we all know, things go from bad to very bad very quickly on the sea. It's far better to get some help early before things turn bad than to wait until it's too late. Also as said previously, every incident's different. There's no substitute for as much training as possible. If the lifeboats, helicopters, shore crews, coasties etc etc only responded to life in danger incidents, then they would be no where near as well trained as thye are.

Agreed, the last thing you want is a witch hunt with peeps frightened to call the emergency services for fear of scorn or a large bill.

I bet RNLI would rather go out and tow somebody than be sent out to recover a body.

 

[DJE]

It's about time the RNLI started making proper salvage claims.

What and lose their "Supported entirely by voluntary contributions" tag. No chance.

 

[Ubergeekian]

What and lose their "Supported entirely by voluntary contributions" tag. No chance.

They could just change it to "Operating without government financial support". How many voluntary contributors know that they are in part funding a free AA service for the inept?