The PBO drink/boating poll.

The only fair way to apply this law, is either to apply it universally, or on tonnage.
Speed shouldnt really come into the equation.
A large multi-masted chunky wooden sailboat with a drunken skipper is going to be capable of as much destruction as a mobo planing vessel whatever the speed.
Equally there are large grp, wooden and steel displacement/semi displacement motor vessels that would escape the law on speed, but these are equally capable of creating widespread havoc.
Really this should be all or nothing, and it's grossly unfair to have it any other way.
Any boat....yes, any boat at any speed is capable of killing someone in the water,
on the quayside, or on board if improperly handled.

Steve.
 
The RYA position looks like a negotiaitng stance, ie. start out not conceding anything and go from there.

I didn't get the impression that the proposals were aimed solely at MOBOs though the effect would be to make them the main target. The fact is we have no figures to go on. How big is the problem, how many drink affected incidents are there, what types of vessel are predominantly involved? I do feel there should be some real evidence put forward on it.

I would object strongly to a non evenhanded approach. It should apply to all boaters on any public water if there is legislation at all.

Maybe the drink issue should only be taken account of in the event of an incident and that some other form of regulation aimed at irresponsible behaviour is needed instead. So someone under the influence suffers a more severe punishment than someone who isn't when an incident occurs.

I hate the idea of legislating for every eventuality. The water is our last bastion of freedom from the nanny sate. If this could be dealt with a different way I would be much happier.
 
I was just about to post a silly reply about horses not being banned for being drunk on the road when I read Steve_l's posting. Rather sad really. The rule I was taught was to stay off the booze until tied up/anchored and the sails stowed away. Simple common sense really but it seems to work, and if everyone did the same there would be no need for yet more rules and regulations
 
Yes it does and I agree with you but as the behaviour of the great unwashed has deteriorated in general we can't rely on moderation and self discipline anymore sadly. I used to be a fairly liberal "live and let live" person at one time but now I believe we need a zero tolerance policy to bring society back in line. This is not just a marine problem. It's general loutish behaviour and if prosecuting the layabouts who are spoiling things for the silent majority is the only way of stopping the rot I am for it. Lock em up!
 
[ QUOTE ]
I've seen a yacht t-bone and sink a large motorboat, so it goes both ways.

[/ QUOTE ]

Were they both under way with the mobo not being in a restricted channel???????????????????? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
 
A 'racing' sunsail boat, didn't look before he tacked, then buggered of. Coastguard vhf communications were highly amusing to listen to. When asked if he was the responsible vessel, and why he wasn't standing by to render assistance to the stricken vessel, responded curtly that 'We are racing'

The coastguard, highly unamused by this time, judging by tone of voice, pointed out his obligations under maritime law. Rather suspect the skipper would have been met back at Port Solent by some gentlemen of the 'official' variety
 
Bicycle CAN be taken away

Any 'vehicle' be it car, bike, horse etc. etc. CAN be taken away from you found drunk in charge.

Even here in Latvia - our gardener has had his bike taken to stop him riding .... he does drink - boy does he drink !!! Funny thing is the fine to get the bike back is bigger than the bike is worth - so he reckoned - Sod it let 'em keep it !! And second funny - he's an ex copper !!!!

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Mountbatten - Plymouth.....

GP 14 sail dinghy ..... two MN Cadets sailing along .... one engineer - other Deck, they get to arguing .... WHACK ..... slap bang into a RAF Rescue Launch .... all 40ft of it !!

The hole made in the side - as it was a ply-based WW2 design .... was sufficient to let her go GLUG GLUG .... took a while to salvage her and she stayed ashore on the slip at Mountbatten for years ..... The dinghy survived !!!!

So just because its sail / and or small - does not mean it does no damage !!!

My Motor Sailer at 25ft would pack a punch if she hit anything - she's heavy - the momentum must be huge !
 
[ QUOTE ]
...If I cycle to the pub I can be pulled coming back pi$$ed, I can be fined and possibly even incarcerated if I am a persistent and unrepentant offender or if I injure someone other than myself - but they don't take your license away (or your bicycle as far as I am aware)...
- Nick

[/ QUOTE ]

In fact, if you are prosecuted for drunk in charge of a bicycle, you can be banned from driving (car or motorbike - if you you have a licence).
 
I have experience of that !!

When the Motorbike age was raised from 16 to 17 - I decided to joy-ride my scooter that I bought ready for my 16th. Got caught and was hauled into Magistrates.
I had been warned by a friends father who was a policeman - go get a Moped licence quick - because the sentence of court will commence from the start date of any licence you get later - IF you don't have one now ... So I got the Moped one and sure enough all endorsements etc. went into that .... The Court Clerk confirmed the truth of the fathers advise .....

Anyway - nothing to do with boats !! But I will say here that I have fallen in drunk - so it does not matter what boat - sail or power .... its a risk to drink and boat !
 
Quote from Trouville:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sail boat users generally can sail plan and take care.

Sailboat users also have PCs to plan and as nav back up, MOBOs tend to buy expensive small screen plotters and NO paper charts becouse if they have a laptop its a mac and for that there is no softwear,
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is exactly the sort of the attitude that we can do without. The attempt to divide
mobos and yotties once again.
I thoroughly object to the inuendo that motorboats are less well equipped than sailboats, I have found mostly the opposite in the UK, thats not to say that sailing vessels in the UK are ill equipped...they're not.
I dunno what happens in France but not here.
For example, my 37ft motorboat has the following equipment.

Primary navigation system...C-Map on PC with full operable 12inch repeater screen on flybridge.

Secondary navigation system...Seaclear using Imray Raster Charts, on second backup laptop.

Third Navigation system, Garmin 235 with all cartridges for areas sailed.

Fourth and final backup, Imray paper Charts for all areas cruised,(but always out)

Garmin Etrex GPS as backup.

SL72 Radar, fully interfaced to NMEA/seatalk system.

Raymarine ST6000 Autopilot Fully interfaced to C-map or Seaclear on PC and to Radar.

Additionally there is a second LCD Screen at the chart table as well as lower helm.
All these are operable by wireless mouse.

Two Fixed DSC radios, one lower and one on F/B
One Fixed Non DSC Radio.
Two Handheld radios
And one Amateur 2m handheld which will also cover marine freqs in an emergency.

NASA Target HF receiver linked to PC running JV comm for Navtex and wefax.

NASA AIS reciever.

Yeasu FT847 HF/SSB Tranceiver, primarily for amateur use but could be used in a marine emergency.

No less than four depth sounders on the boat of various flavours.

Full set of ST50 instruments to complement autopilot.

Two fixed compasses and one handbearing compass.

Right...so can you match that on your boat???
If not then please dont make sweeping statements about motorboat equipment levels.
And just what it has to do with being drunk in charge I dont know, your drunk and a danger whether your'e using a complete Integrated Bridge System costing a quarter of a million quid or a handheld plotter for a couple of hundred..makes no difference.

Phew..let off steam..
I needed that.....
Steve.
 
Well i admit the pc bit was a "wind up"but then you should read his posts rather stressed agressive.

Your boat has indeed a lot of equipment (have you unpacked all of it??)the cost of which alone would buy my old Hillyard equipped with a garmin 120GPS, seafarer depthsounder,danforth constelation compass, and a Frech navel handbearing one, plus paper charts and a breton plotter.

The problem is not equipment but speed lookout and attitude.Ive seen to many motor boat owners who feel money and might are write.No doubt its a few that spoil it for others.

I have owned a motor boat i had a grand banks a wooden 36 built in HK which had a pair of ford 120HP diesels, i loved that boat she even had a sail! But i just prefered sailing.

Now i have a new boat a 1946 Folkboat,as shes quite small and hasent a lot of freeboard im going to sail in the Baltic where i hope there wont be many MOBOs found amongst the rocks and the ones that are will have to keep a sober pilot,and not one with a glass in one hand and his eye on a mac wondering where his e-charts have gone!

nor judging from the image above,read his tide tables!
 
Re: Ballistics - bo**ocks

It's down to mass x velocity squared actually. . . ballistics is to do with bullets and similar objects travelling somewhat faster

- Nick
 
Rules are for . . .

the guidance of wise men and the obedience of fools.

I don't think this will effect most people one little bit even if it comes to pass.

- Nick
 
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