Tragedy averted but upset a few yachties.

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Sea Ray

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So today my brother took my boat (Jeanneau Cap Camarat 7.5) over to the Isle of Wight for some lunch with friends on-board. On the way back well off Hurst Castle he spotted an upturned boat. There wasn't a lot of traffic about at the time, they were lucky to have been seen when they were. It had 3 children, ages 5, 8 & 11 sitting on the bottom of the boat with their father. All in a bad way, hypothermia starting to set in and the father seemingly in shock. The boat was a flat bottomed Dory, not suitable for the sea they were in. Luckily they were wearing life jackets, and with the Dory being designed not to sink it probably saved their lives, but they were in serious trouble. The Coastguard was called and the Lymington lifeboat sent out. Unfortunately they got another shout with a Motorboat that had run itself up the shingle bank. So they put a lifeboat crew member on board my boat, and the lifeboat shot of to help the stranded boat. So now with 11 people on-board he was instructed to get to Keyhaven where an ambulance was waiting. He was told by the crew member to ignore the harbour speed limit, he wasn't quite planing which as we know would have created less wash, but he was well over the speed limit kicking up quite a wake. He wanted the lifeboat crew member to take the helm, but he wouldn't, I'm guessing its a legal thing. So despite my brother gesturing towards the RNLI guy standing there in an attempt to explain his actions, he got really shouted at, so their goes my reputation ! They met with the ambulance and the paramedics took over. The kids had been wrapped up and spent the trip back in the cabin being consoled and cuddled by the women. They had a very near miss, the kids weren't doing great despite the efforts of the women folk, and as for the Father he looked broken. Mooring up in a difficult spot to meet the Paramedics, much to my brothers frustration (he knows how fussy I am) my blue hull took a scrape on the bow, I'm not fussed it can be repaired. What does grate a bit is the thought of my boat being branded as skippered by an inconsiderate boater, but hey ho, that's life ! As for the upturned boat, it's still floating somewhere semi submerged, probably heading towards Poole. It's up for salvage, I just hope no one hits it, I doubt the Dad will ever want to see it again.
 
Yup, very well done. WRT the potentially upset observers, it reminds me of an occasion when I happened to be in the back seat of a SAR helo with the task manager being harangued by ground control concerning his flight plan. As he put it, "We can discuss this tomorrow".
 
I would really not give a damn what anyone thinks. He did a great job if they are small minded enough to complain then so be it.

Judging any situation with a one sided view is always a losing strategy
 
Busy day on the Solent. A fisherman was taking on water 2 miles north of the Needles, not sure of the outcome, but Yarmouth RNLI took the crew. A couple of Pan Pan's, a mobo with engine failure, and a raggy who wasn't sure how to use the VHF.
 
rafiki_ said:
Busy day on the Solent. A fisherman was taking on water 2 miles north of the Needles, not sure of the outcome, but Yarmouth RNLI took the crew. A couple of Pan Pan's, a mobo with engine failure, and a raggy who wasn't sure how to use the VHF.
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I heard that on C16 - the fishing boat sank as the RNLI pumps got blocked. The mobo with engine failure ended up anchored in Colwell Bay awaiting SeaStart.
 
Massive well done to the OP's brother. From recent experience it's the case that many RNLI crew aren't experienced boat handlers and that may have been the reason they didn't take the helm, they're very brave rescuers, but not many helm boats regularly. Sadly in the Solent the number of inconsiderate helmsmen who plough past us, creating dangerous wash will be to blame, members of the forum excluded, it's those who have never experienced the effect of big wash from 20 meters away and don't give a monkey for others that are to blame. And don't think for a moment that your boat now has a "reputation" I've wanted to drown a number of thoughtless mobo skippers but can't remember a single boat's name - maybe all mobos look alike :o :o

But kudos again to your brother, he may well have saved four lives that day.
 
Colvic Watson said:
Massive well done to the OP's brother. From recent experience it's the case that many RNLI crew aren't experienced boat handlers and that may have been the reason they didn't take the helm, they're very brave rescuers, but not many helm boats regularly. Sadly in the Solent the number of inconsiderate helmsmen who plough past us, creating dangerous wash will be to blame, members of the forum excluded, it's those who have never experienced the effect of big wash from 20 meters away and don't give a monkey for others that are to blame. And don't think for a moment that your boat now has a "reputation" I've wanted to drown a number of thoughtless mobo skippers but can't remember a single boat's name - maybe all mobos look alike :o :o

But kudos again to your brother, he may well have saved four lives that day.
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If wash from a passing boat bothers you I would advise not to come down to the med. wash is part of life and no one bats an eye lid. Some of what goes on is a bit silly ( accelerating as you leave an anchorage ) but it is just The way it is and nothing is ever going to change it. All anyone does here is wave and smile so maybe it's the English weather.
 
jrudge said:
If wash from a passing boat bothers you I would advise not to come down to the med. wash is part of life and no one bats an eye lid. Some of what goes on is a bit silly ( accelerating as you leave an anchorage ) but it is just The way it is and nothing is ever going to change it. All anyone does here is wave and smile so maybe it's the English weather.
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Thankfully England is more civilised, to such an extent that some humans here have evolved to the point where they consider that causing harm to others is unnecessary. The OP and his family not only rescued four people from drowning but worried - quite uncessarily - about causing wash. Not very Mediterranean.
 
I am sure the ones calling your brother would have a different opinion if it had been them and their young kids shipwrecked
 
Thanks for all the kind comments guys, i'll pass them on. The latest is the youngest child was suffering from hypothermia and all from shock, but they'll all be fine.
 
jrudge said:
If wash from a passing boat bothers you I would advise not to come down to the med. wash is part of life and no one bats an eye lid. Some of what goes on is a bit silly ( accelerating as you leave an anchorage ) but it is just The way it is and nothing is ever going to change it. All anyone does here is wave and smile so maybe it's the English weather.
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I don't think you know Keyhaven? It isn't the Med, it is a very narrow confined channel barely wide enough for two boats to pass going in opposite directions with boats moored along each side of the channel. Much of it dries at low tide.

It's the channel to the right in this picture with the quay towards the bottom: http://www.newforestholidaylets.co.uk/_images/_gallery/keyhaven.jpg
 
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Colvic Watson said:
Thankfully England is more civilised, to such an extent that some humans here have evolved to the point where they consider that causing harm to others is unnecessary. The OP and his family not only rescued four people from drowning but worried - quite uncessarily - about causing wash. Not very Mediterranean.
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I totally agree with you, but here it happens which is one thing, but secondly it does not visibly bother anyone.

I have done limited boating in the uk but it did seem people were generally more considerate, but if not boy did you see some people get upset.

We kick out a big wash and seek to avoid others, especially at anchorages where slowing down probably costs me all of a minute , but this is not widespread. I am on a ferry at this second from formentera to Ibiza. Boats are passing each other within probably 20 feet some raggies sandwiched in the middle - as before it does not bother anyone as it is the norm.

I don't seek to defend it, simply to say if you don't like wash I would avoid the med!
 
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