The Most Rubbish 'Mayday' You've Heard?

[blenkinsop]

I seem to remember from some time ago (hence accurate memory hazy), a Mayday in the Solent from a young person having run his father's mobo aground gave correct Lat/Long; the coastguard responded that a position of ' just off Yarmouth Pier' would have sufficed. The crew were 'rescued' by the Yarmouth water taxi.

 

[William_H]

A few months back a friend of mine (non sailor) agreed to go on a delivery trip on a 36 ft yacht. Albany to Bunbury via Cape Leeuwin.
My friend was taken seas sick after leaving Albany and was in a sad state. The skipper worried about dehydration etc and called Volunteer sea Rescue from Denmark. They came out to the yacht after launching from a beach and took my friend off. I don't know if it was a Mayday or simple call. My friend was very grateful. No telling if he would have been harmed by continual seasickness. I feel a bit guilty that I encouraged him to go despite the fact that through fear of seasickness I would not consider it. olewill
A confirmed "Brown Water" sailor

 

[NormanS]

Like the Wise Men of Gothem, who wouldn't go near the water until they could swim?

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Rubbishing Maydays is completely counter-productive. It may discourage people from calling for help when they need it. A situation that will be coped with as a matter of routine by an experienced sailor may be a frightening, endangering emergency to a novice - and we were all novices once upon a time. I clearly remember my first go in a sailing boat - when I was about 6, and my Dad took us out in a dinghy on Loch Lomond. I was terrified, so much so that I still have the memory of being terrified; that I was in a strange unstable environment with things that I didn't understand happening. Later experience over-rode this initial scare, but I still remember how frightening a sailing boat can be if you don't know what is going on. An inexperienced skipper with a novice crew might well be in that situation; even if the skipper has the skills to cope with the situation, he/she might well not be able to react properly to the situation and cope with the fears of the crew.

Grounding in the wrong place in the wrong boat can be fatal; there have been fatalities and total losses where vessels (including commercial vessels) have gone aground. I can recall incidents from the Humber and the Clyde, the latter only a year or so ago. Grounding in a single keel vessel will at the very least be a deeply uncomfortable experience; at worst, with the wrong configuration of the sea-bed (for example, a slope where the vessel settles tipped down slope), you could end up with the boat flooding before it floats. Yes, we know to avoid the situation - but I don't recall seeing it in the syllabus of any training! Seasickness - as I know from personal experience - can be totally debilitating; if everyone aboard is suffering, then I'd say that IS a Mayday (or Pan Pan); and they are lucky that someone is able to manage to work the VHF, especially if it is below decks! Even someone who isn't vomiting their heart out may well be operating at well below their normal level.

It's all very well to mock those who call for help in the flat battery/flat calm situation, or similar problems with sailing vessels unable for any reason to proceed under sail. But we don't operate in a vacuum; do you know what other pressures may be on the crew that forces them to call for help? They may have committments that they MUST keep; sitting at anchor waiting for a wind may not be an option, if they wish to keep their job/partner or whatever! In the Solent there are commercial options for tows (and I think there now is on the Clyde), but elsewhere, you may have to get the CG to put out an all-ships request, and of course you'd expect to recompense anyone who helped you. Again, I've heard the CG doing exactly that on the Clyde; I've even had to consider whether I could offer assistance (I wasn't the best placed to do so).

 

[Talulah]

Rubbishing Maydays is completely counter-productive. It may discourage people from calling for help when they need it....

Understand what you are saying but "Maydays" are getting so devalued that more and more people are just ignoring them. They'll listen in but do not take much notice with a "Here we go again."

This weekend just to the East of the Solent a Mayday when a Motor Boat doing 35 knots lost power.
The Coastguard asked them if they could anchor which they then did. I wasn't on board but very much suspect they were not in "Grave and imminent danger."

 

[Ric]

At the other end of the range of Maydays, I once saw a motorboat very badly on fire in the Med, with white smoke pouring out of the vents and hatches. Numerous other concerned boats called the CG. The CG kept hailing the "motorboat on fire in position xyz" but no reply. Meanwhile black smoke and orange flame started leaping out of the boat, and then there was a loud explosion, blowing a substantial chunk of deck into the sky. Eventually the skipper came on the VHF and calmly announced, "I am the motorboat at position xyz - I have a minor fire in the engine room - I am single-handed so sorry for not answering your calls earlier - now if you will excuse me I am quite busy" (or words to that effect - the exchange was in French). After another ten minutes the smoke started to subside, and the boat started to slowly get underway again. He didn't even head back to shore!

 

[Modulation]

Absolutely right!!

Not rubbish if the entire crew were so incapacitated as to put the vessel in danger.

The RNLi prefer to attend an incident before it becomes a major one. They prefer to rescue seasick sailors to recovering dead ones!

 

[Seatrout]

But we don't operate in a vacuum; do you know what other pressures may be on the crew that forces them to call for help? They may have committments that they MUST keep; sitting at anchor waiting for a wind may not be an option, if they wish to keep their job/partner or whatever!

You believe that that merits a Mayday? or even a Pan Pan? Why should your diary suddenly become my business?

An inexperienced skipper with a novice crew ...... etc

Should not be on the water! An inexperienced skipper with a novice crew is culpable neglect.

 

[awol]

It's all very well to mock those who call for help in the flat battery/flat calm situation, or similar problems with sailing vessels unable for any reason to proceed under sail. But we don't operate in a vacuum; do you know what other pressures may be on the crew that forces them to call for help? They may have committments that they MUST keep; sitting at anchor waiting for a wind may not be an option, if they wish to keep their job/partner or whatever! In the Solent there are commercial options for tows (and I think there now is on the Clyde), but elsewhere, you may have to get the CG to put out an all-ships request, and of course you'd expect to recompense anyone who helped you. Again, I've heard the CG doing exactly that on the Clyde; I've even had to consider whether I could offer assistance (I wasn't the best placed to do so).

Well, I have answered an "any vessel in the vicinity...." call on the Clyde. The claim was the vessel was in danger of grounding in Ettrick Bay and I was not best pleased (nor was the CG) when I eventually located the "casualty" about 2 miles offshore and they just wanted to get back to Largs before dark 'cos the wind had dropped and his engine wouldn't start. Personal convenience, smoothing matrimonial relations, job constraints and the rest are certainly not a reason for a Mayday and I believe my example had been one though their comms with the CG was by mobile phone not vhf.
I have, of course, enjoyed the spectator sport of trivial Maydays and the CG's patient questioning of numbers, position (no, the answer Managing Director is not appropriate), are life jackets being worn, is the anchor down, are there other vessels in sight, and I am well aware that when tired/stressed/seasick I could appear just as much a wally. To not laugh at differently abled sailors is, IMHO, taking PC too far, after all we all enjoy a good parking cock up, a wine-glassed spinnaker, etc. but always with a wry "but for the grace of god ....".

 

[chrisbitz]

An inexperienced skipper with a novice crew is culpable neglect.

This is really quite offensive. Are you saying that until I pass numerous courses, and months/years of dry land training, I shouldn't ever go on the water??

Stuff this sailing lark for a laugh! I'll find a new hobby!

Fortunately, I've found a really friendly sailing club, teeming with really helpful, friendly people who bend over backwards to give me advice, sometimes come out with me and give me the benefit of their wisdom. Without any sneering "novice" put-downs.

So I WILL be going out on the water on my own as a novice, and hopefully I don't bump into anyone like you if I ever get into trouble!

 

[Seatrout]

Just to clarify that a Mayday relates to a situation of "grave and imminent threat requiring immediate assistance".

Seasickness, IMHO does NOT meet that litmus test, nor does a diary appointment that might be missed!

Pan-Pan relates to a mechanical breakdown or a non-life threatening medical condition. IMO this may include a crew being seasick. It definitely does NOT include a diary appointment that may be missed due to no wind.

I'm rather glad that the effect of this thread may discourage calls for help for frivolous matters, I do hope it will not discourage Pan Pan calls from inexperienced sailors where events are overtaking their ability to control them.

 

[Spirit of Glenans]

We were at anchor in the Crouch and heard the following Mayday which went roughly........

Coast Guard: Can you describe the emergency sir?

Caller: It's leaning over and she doesn't like it

CG: Please explain

Caller: We stopped for lunch and now the boat is leaning over and she doesn't like it

CG You mean the tide has gone out and you're aground?

Caller: I knew it went in and out but I didn't know it went up and down.........

After that the Coastguard established there was no risk at all and suggested they wait for the tide to come back in.........Honestly that's exactly what we heard.

I know it goes against all libertarian principles but I'm beginning to believe that people who are that clueless should not be allowed to endanger themselves and others.

 

[Seatrout]

This is really quite offensive. Are you saying that until I pass numerous courses, and months/years of dry land training, I shouldn't ever go on the water??

Stuff this sailing lark for a laugh! I'll find a new hobby!

Fortunately, I've found a really friendly sailing club, teeming with really helpful, friendly people who bend over backwards to give me advice, sometimes come out with me and give me the benefit of their wisdom. Without any sneering "novice" put-downs.

So I WILL be going out on the water on my own as a novice, and hopefully I don't bump into anyone like you if I ever get into trouble!

Let me ask you a question. Would you take a trip in a micro-lite aircraft without the tuition and skills to control the machine; deal with an unexpected situation and find your way back to the landing area?
If 'yes' you are a fool. If 'no', then why do the same with a yacht?

FYI, I have provided much training to youngsters (Tues) and adults (Fri) at my friendly yacht club. It is a matter of pride when I see my 'students' progressing to solo sailing and indeed buying their own yacht. So yes, you are right, please do NOT take to the water unsupervised without a firm understanding of what its all about. Such courses will not take years, but will be the start of a continuous development programme.

Whether you like it or not, I WILL be coming to your help if you get into trouble. Regardless of my thoughts on a MayDay/ PanPan, I always respond if nearby. The last one was a charter yacht which lost her rudder on rocks while attempting a tricky entry to a lagoon on the Isle of Mull. Over the years, my responses have been numerous and was given a Humane Society Silver Medal for one, which was reluctantly accepted. I also take account of those who cannot raise the alarm by keeping an eye out for fellow sailors in trouble as we cruise (its a sort of reciprocal duty of care thing). Sometimes it is a case of people not knowing their limits.

Please don't be over sensitive, as I wasn't sneering at anyone; I was simply pointing out the danger of a previous poster's suggestion that an inexperienced skipper with a novice crew is an acceptable mix.

I wish you much enjoyment.

 

[winsbury]

Only if he revealed the name of the boat and identified the caller. Otherwise its just an example.

I don't believe that's correct - all such communications are subject to non disclosure. During my DSC SRC course we were played a Mayday call which followed procedure precisely but ONLY by virtue that it was in actuality a hoax call from someone halfway up the M4 was it granted special dispensation to be used as training material to illustrate how the CG would respond to a mayday call.


Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1949
Section 5. Misleading messages and interception and disclosure of messages.
Para B

Any person who--

( b ) otherwise than under the authority of the Postmaster General or in the course of his duty as a servant of the Crown, either--
(i) uses any wireless telegraphy apparatus with intent to obtain information as to the contents, sender or addressee of any message (whether sent by means of wireless telegraphy or not) which neither the person using the apparatus nor any person on whose behalf he is acting is authorised by the Postmaster General to receive; or
(ii) except in the course of legal proceedings or for the purpose of any report thereof, discloses any information as to the contents, sender or addressee of any such message, being information which would not have come to his knowledge but for the use of wireless telegraphy apparatus by him or by another person

shall be guilty of an offence under this Act.

 

[gjgm]

Rubbishing Maydays is completely counter-productive. It may discourage people from calling for help when they need it.

What on earth do you base that comment on ?
No one is saying dont do anything.. you could make a routine call, you could make a pan pan...if it has gone from super Ok to total disaster,hit the Mayday call. If it is a gradual deterioration,maybe a pan pan first would be in order.
I think the thread was a good bit of fun...silly maydays that you might have heard. I cant see why anyone on here is now going to be too nervous to make a Mayday in case it appears on this thread.
OTOH, I would expect that most people do only make a Mayday call when they are pretty freaked/scared/believe themselves to be in real danger. I have heard the CG get the caller to amend the call status when it turns out not to be life threatening, and cancel the Mayday.
Maybe those shouldnt have started as a Mayday, then.
In the end , the CG is in control either way in most cases.

 

[winsbury]

I have heard the CG get the caller to amend the call status when it turns out not to be life threatening, and cancel the Mayday.

Equally Ive heard of a pan pan get upgraded to a mayday when a suspected broken leg turned out to be a suspected broken femur and therefore potentially life threatening.

I think the problem is that people overhearing a pan pan or mayday are in rarely in the best position to judge, it's the CG's responsibility to assess if the skipper has over or under egged the situation and propose a response accordingly. We listen in, not only because we may be needed to assist, but partly out of rubber necked curiosity and partly because we want to know what to do if the same ever occurs on our own watch. However poking fun at others in distress, no matter what our interpretation of their situation may be, is hardly in the spirit of supporting our fellow water users.

Personally I hope that if I ever issue an emergency call it will be for a damn good reason but just reading this thread shows how opinions differ enormously as to what constitutes such an emergency. While I don't condone ill prepared sailing or indeed any other risky sport such as mountaineering or flying which as a direct consequence results in an avoidable call on the resources of rescuers, neither do I consider it prudent to do anything that might make someone feel that they couldn't reasonably request assistance without attracting ridicule and worrying if their particular brand of emergency is worthy enough of consideration.

 

[Talulah]

Whilst a skipper may call a Mayday I really think the Coastguard should be encouraging skippers to down ground to a PanPan where appropriate.
To do so might get others to start thinking a bit more about their situation. As I said previously, the overuse of Maydays is detrimental in the long term.
The Mayday is blocking out Ch16. There should be more of Mayday Prudence.

On the other hand I have heard a skipper calling a PanPan and the CG asking to upgrade it to a Mayday. The skipper declined. It was 2 French Sailors crossing the Channel. They were both suffering from seasickness and taking in water.
The water was from the fore hatch not being quite shut but they were too sick to investigate. There estimated position proved to be about 30 miles out.

 

[fireball]

Were you on the vessel? If not, 'the most rubbish mayday you've heard' really only highlights your ignorance of safety at sea.

Regardless of whether or not the cg&rnli would rather rescue someone not in trouble than search for bodies, it remains fact that there are a number of mayday calls that are nothing of the sort...
Whilst I don't begrudge someone calling for help, putting out a mayday for a sailing yacht with a non-starting engine on a benign day in a safe area with not much current is a little ott - the cg didn't take kindly to it either.
Having been standing on an upturned hull waving for help before realising that I could rescue myself I understand the "panic" that ppl get in - but tbh - if you've bought a boat worth thousands then the least you can do is learn how to cope with it in a sensible manner.

Failed engines and aground could be a mayday - but most of the time it isn't even a pan pan - I bet most of these problems don't get reported. Being a skippers a task for the level headed - considered actions are required - especially when others are onboard - may days are not something that should be issued lightly.

 

[Quandary]

I do not get sea sick very often but when it has happened, after an hour or two of it, I am close to agreeing to top myself. On one occasion on a really rough night, racing around Ailsa Craig toward a turning mark at the Iron Ledges, I spotted a light and we beat towards it for an nearly an hour before as dawn approached, lessening the gloom, that I twigged on that it was the Otterard Buoy several miles to the west. This was complete and utter incompetence and in another place could have been life threatening. I did not really care and it was only when we rounded the mark and turned before the wind for Portpatrick that I began to come round and pull myself together. Sea sickness is infectious and one by one the crew succumbed as we rolled down wind until there were only two of us on deck. It did not occur to us to seek help or to consider abandoning the race or even to abort the dangers of entering Portpatrick in a N.W. gale but in hindsight we were in considerable danger that night.
I think that those of you that can laugh at sea sickness are very lucky, I have experienced it and recognize the risks.
BTW. one of our crew around that time could very well have been the Coastguard that took the call the OP refers to, if she was, I am glad she thought it worth responding.

 

[machone]

This thread is likely to turn into the old chestnut thread - should we have a licence to operate a vessel. It's again all about accepting a level of personal responsibilty. Licencing won't change anything. There are always going to be idiots making unreasonable radio calls or being stupid, just as there'll always be self righteous grumpy old 'experts' complaining about them, from their armchairs. Whether they have licences or not will change little.

Let the professionals decide on what is an idiot call or a difficult decision made under pressure. Also let them prosecute or help, just as they have always done and quite successfully. I think complaining about other peoples 'rubbish mayday call', especially in this specific case, really does smack of a certain lack of knowledge and experience.