Uncrowded Waters

milltech

Active member
Joined
31 May 2001
Messages
2,518
Location
Worcester
www.iTalkFM.com
We think that the Solent is busy sometimes at weekends, but I wonder if it's really busier than ever it was. I recently read "Down Channel" and at one point the author is weathering a storm at the Little Downs and I think he said he estimated there were 250 boats at anchor. (I should have looked this up before posting).

But given the small amount of cargo a sailing boat could carry I suppose there must have been thousands of them at work, and when also you see pictures like the ones at Fecamp showing the harbour wall to wall full of fishing boats, and the same up and down the coast, all without clever collision avoidance systems or position fixing there must have been accidents without number.


<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>
 

hlb

RIP
Joined
16 May 2001
Messages
26,773
Location
Any Pub Lancashire or Wales
Visit site
Ye. But they wernt all doing 30 knots, or racing each other.

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>No one can force me to come here.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn
 

hlb

RIP
Joined
16 May 2001
Messages
26,773
Location
Any Pub Lancashire or Wales
Visit site
Been there, got the tee shirt. Would not touch it with a barge pole again.../forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>No one can force me to come here.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn
 

Talbot

Active member
Joined
23 Aug 2003
Messages
13,610
Location
Brighton, UK
Visit site
Whilst they certainly were not doing 30 knots, you can bet your life that they were racing each other. The first into harbour was more likely to get a better price, and was also able to get back out to the fishing grounds quicker, so speed was important, however these guys appreciated the water and understood it in a way that we who venture out at the weekends, and will not cross the channel without a radar 2 plotters 4 spare GPSs cannot even imagine.

<hr width=100% size=1>
 

Dave_Snelson

Active member
Joined
16 Oct 2001
Messages
11,618
Location
Porthmadog / Port Leucate
www.makeyourowngarments.com
No problem in North Wales

Even on a bank holiday when we complain that its "busy", it isn't really. Just a few too many jet skis buzzing around. Out beyond the Fairway - nothing. Sea's all yours!!

<hr width=100% size=1>Madoc Yacht Club
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk>http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk</A>
 
Top