What would you do?

[PeteCooper]

I've been trying to avoid posting on this but ........ There seem to me to be three problems. Using a preventer in the first place in what seems to be restricted waters. Having a preventer that can't be released quickly. Not looking far enough ahead to anticipate a potential collision with boat or buoy. It also seems a little incongruous that whilst this discussion is going on, the same person is advertising his services on the for sale bit of this website. On the evidence in this thread I would not engage his services.

 

[Guest]

Trying to visualise this .... maybe I'm missing something but can't quite work out if he's in opposite dir'n to you or not.

Anyway .....

1. Rules make it plain that no alteration of course once a close 1/4 situation develops shall change status of give-way or stand-on vessel.
2. Stand on vessel or as you say vessel with right of way does not have the right to keep changing course unless necessary due action of give way vessel alone will not avoid collision.
3. You say you are instructing and to sail .... great but that also places on you responsibility to look after sistuation such not to "embarrass" you or another boat. Sometimes teaching to sail means teaching when not to use sails !
4. Preventer is nice - but should be released once passage into restricted or busy area is made ..
5. ALL vessels are obliged to avoid collision .... I'm sure that even the race cox would have realised that the green buoy that was getting ever closer was a hazard for you as well.

I don't mean the above to be rude to you in any way ... as you have shown by this and later posts that you believe in "courtesy" on the water .........

I have a feeling that the race boat was pushing his rights a little too far by edging his course all the time - forcing YOU to give him more room ... sounds also that he was "optimistic" in his cut on that buoy .... and basically put both of you into a situation that might have been avoided ....

I have to admit that I usually stay well clear of race boats - they are a breed unto themselves .... but a certain "group" loves in-house racing near that area ... and across towards Cowes ... if I feel a bit "cheeky" ... I sometimes run in and have a little play amongst them ... they do have a turtn of phrase sometimes that is absolutely shocking !!

 

[Guest]

Windward boat vs leeward ...

It may hark back to square-riggers days when that with the weather gauge had advantage and also that if a boat is bigger in sail than other - the windward boat will always have wind as driving force .... at some time the lee boat is going to be blanketed ....

???????

 

[HLMJ]

Re: What would you do? Engine

I sympathise with your situation and I have found myself in similar. I must say I disagree with your use of a preventer since in such busy waters you have to anticipate have to give way. I don't think your insurance company would have been too pleased either!

I believe the error, though, was in not firing up the engine. It's on the boat, it is a safety device, so to speak, and you could have powered yourself out of a collision risk. Your students would have learned the importance of being drilled in starting the engine, in preparing the seacock, in ensuring the engine stop control is reset etc. So, the sailing lesson would have taught the need for preparedness.

For novice sailors especially, you would have thus demonstrated not only the importance of all-round awareness (how many novices forget to ever watch behind them?), but I think the lesson would have been more instructive as a result. After all, what did you teach them but having a near miss?

By the way, I take delight in sailing to anchor, sailing to a mooring - and even sailing into a marina slip (in god sized boats), so I am not an engine lover. I hope also that you take the above in god spirit!

Great post too!

 

[RupertW]

Re: What would you do? Engine

I agree with most of what you say, but not the engine part. There was clearly enough wind to sail and manouver, so trying to use the engine to force its way against the sails seems more dangerous than learning to steer under sail in restricted waters. With sails you know what your options are and how they will behave so IMHO I'd be more comfortable sticking to them.

 

[Guest]

Re: What would you do? Engine .... ???????

Is that why so many Harbour rules require you to have engine at least started and running then - so that you can then have doubtful manouvering capability ?

Sorry - to advocate NOT starting engine is certainly not accepted in my book .... on approach to any area that would require manouvres / traffic increasing etc. - I have a golden rule - Hit the T*t - Before the Sh*t ...... in other words have engine on well in advance of any req't to use it ..... (Steve - don't reply please !!)

 

[Malcb]

Re: What would you do? Engine .... ???????

Completely agree. I was steering a friends yacht up Chi harbour under sail without engine up to Dell Quay. I suggested, at Itchenor, that he switched on engine as I realised that I was going sideways onto a buoy and needed the extra bit of push in a narrow channel. OK I could have steered my way out of any problems, but why make extra problems!