To hail or not to hail?

[irawnsley]

Sailing, or rather motor sailing back from White cliff bay yesterday we watched a rather smart yacht cross our bows about a hundred or so meters away and then proceed direct for the corner of the IOW seemingly oblivious of the rocks off Bembridge Ledge. After a few minutes he came to a sudden standstill. The yacht did extracate itself after bumping around for a while but I am certain it will have suffered some damge

Should we have hailed or not? after all it was almost high water and it crossed my mind that the skipper might know of some secret channel through the rocks and would think us impertinent for doubting his competency so sadly we said nothing and let him carry on. What would you have done?

I would like to think that if I were doing something stupid someone would be good enough to let me know.

 

[snowleopard]

I made a similar mistake off North Foreland in my early days. A coastguard lookout (remember them?) flashed 'U' at me by hand lamp. I was very grateful when I realised what would have happened if he hadn't warned me.

 

[Evadne]

I would not hail, unless you are absolutely sure of her draught, position, course and the depth of water. If it is a tricky passage, the last thing the skipper needs is to be distracted by a vhf call. I would keep an eye on her, though, in case things got serious.

 

[LittleSister]

If it was me, I'd rather you did hail me to let me know I was just about to do something daft/dangerous, and would hope you'd afterwards enjoy a good laugh at my incompetence rather than a twinge of guilt at your reticence.

 

[oldfatgit]

Difficult one. A hail by voice or even 5 toots on the air horn and lots of gesticulation may be quicker than VHF, certainly if it were me getting it wrong as unless you knew the boat name I'd assume that it was somebody else you were calling. Just getting the victim to slow down will lead to a softer grounding so worth a try. I'd hope that if it were me and I did know what I was doing (not very likely) then I'd be thankful for your concern, but in fact I'd probably be annoyed at your interference. However, and far more likely, I'd be very thankful that you saved the boat and far more serious and expensive embarrassment. So hail away.