michael_w
Well-known member
Just picked up a notice that someone has sunk on Shotley's waiting pontoon, as a result the lock is out of action.
Sunk at Shotley
- Thread starter michael_w
- Start date
PaulRainbow
Well-known member
The NTM isn't crystal clear Michael, but i suspect it's the waiting pontoon that's out of action, not the lock. I could be wrong, of course.
LittleSister
Well-known member
That notice is exactly what was reported (yesterday?) in Tillergirl's most recent NtM thread - waiting pontoon cannot be used, and caution to be used when navigating in the vicinity due to potential debris.
No mention of lock being closed.
Anyone potentially affected could ring Shotleyto check (there's someone there 24/7) on 01473 788982.
PeterBoater
Active member
"No mention of lock being closed." The NtM was badly worded and therefore ambiguous.
PaulRainbow
Well-known member
I'm aware of the NTM, i am on the HHA mailing list, so get them direct from them (that's available to anyone).
Perhaps, but the wording is ambiguous. Hence this thread.
Dee Bee
Active member
The lock is operating normally as of this morning.
DanTribe
Well-known member
I guess there is more to this story than the prima facie facts suggest.
PeterWright
Well-known member
The Harwich Haven NTM opens with the statement:
"A 30ft yacht has sunk on the Shotley Marina waiting pontoon outside the lock which is now out of use until further notice." That is unclear as to whether it is the lock or the waiting pontoon which is out of service, although, read pedantically, it is the lock because "lock" is the word immediately preceding "which".
Well done Peter and Paul for picking up this ambiguity.
While the loss of the boat is sad and the debris around the waiting pontoon is an inconvenience, the important thing is that the sailor was lifted off the yacht for care having been injured in the loss of his mast off Frinton. I just hope his injuries were not too severe and that he makes a rapid recovery.
Peter.
"A 30ft yacht has sunk on the Shotley Marina waiting pontoon outside the lock which is now out of use until further notice." That is unclear as to whether it is the lock or the waiting pontoon which is out of service, although, read pedantically, it is the lock because "lock" is the word immediately preceding "which".
Well done Peter and Paul for picking up this ambiguity.
While the loss of the boat is sad and the debris around the waiting pontoon is an inconvenience, the important thing is that the sailor was lifted off the yacht for care having been injured in the loss of his mast off Frinton. I just hope his injuries were not too severe and that he makes a rapid recovery.
Peter.
Paulfireblade
Active member
Paulfireblade
Active member
I understand it was the second time in 3 days the owner had been rescued. The boat was towed to the waiting pontoon but later sunk.
PaulRainbow
Well-known member
Paulfireblade
Active member
DanTribe
Well-known member
How very sad!
Is there any news of the owner's condition?
Simonpk
Active member
This is a strange story. While walking the dog we saw him motoring up the coast last Saturday, caught my eye as the mast was laid along the deck, he stopped near Holland Haven and I assume anchored, as he was there a while.
Next I read he was airlifted & the boat towed to Shotley on Sunday. He cant have been 'holed' then as it was towed to Shotley so how did the damage occur? Curious.
Next I read he was airlifted & the boat towed to Shotley on Sunday. He cant have been 'holed' then as it was towed to Shotley so how did the damage occur? Curious.
DanTribe
Well-known member
There does appear to be a few anomalies in the reports.
1, a witness says he was anchored off Frinton on Saturday but the rescue was Sunday morning.
2, BBC news showed a picture of the rescue with the mast securely lashed on deck with no obvious damage, yet it was reported as dismasted.
3, The yacht was towed to a safe place where it sank. Not so safe then?
4, The pontoon is imediately outside the lock keepers office, was the sinking not noticed?
First impressions give me sympathy for the owner.
Paulfireblade
Active member
My understanding is, he was airlifted a couple of days earlier. Sketchy info, possibly injured during dismasting. So presumably decided to continue journey and had to be airlifted again.
From what I understand, Shotley have several rescued boats that have never had storage paid for so asked that it was tied to pontoon outside.
Not heard any news about owner but obviously not berthed at Shotley.
From what I understand, Shotley have several rescued boats that have never had storage paid for so asked that it was tied to pontoon outside.
Not heard any news about owner but obviously not berthed at Shotley.
RivalRedwing
Well-known member
I fear part of the challenge here is that when the lifeboat rescues a boat they do not have a default location to tie it up to, and rely on good will or a handy vacant mooring to discharge their responsibility. They are focused (quite correctly) on saving lives not property and unlike land where there are dedicated locations and an established system for recovering costs the marine world is not as well developed (there may be no insurance on the boat etc)... security of the boat then falls between the cracks. In short they are a rescue service, not the AA / RAC etc
Juan Twothree
Well-known member
Assuming the owner is onboard, we make it clear that they are responsible for where and how their boat is moored. On more than one occasion, someone has asked us to leave them on a particular mooring, for example, only for their boat to later come to grief, and for them to then seek damages from the RNLI.
In fact I usually try to say the spiel about it being at their risk over the VHF, so that it gets recorded at the coastguard station.
Paulfireblade
Active member
Essex: Sea rescue by helicopter after yacht loses mast
The BBC report said the Coast guard received reports of a boat in distress with mast down in a location where boats don’t normally stop.
Doesn’t sound like boat owner called for help but if he was fit and well I presume he wouldn’t have been airlifted.
The BBC report said the Coast guard received reports of a boat in distress with mast down in a location where boats don’t normally stop.
Doesn’t sound like boat owner called for help but if he was fit and well I presume he wouldn’t have been airlifted.
johnalison
Well-known member
It looks rather like a Waarship, made of ply, so although good boats in their way not as resistant to penetration as most other materials.
