Dorset Dan
Well-Known Member
"They confirmed they had Eyes on us through NCW"
Can I show my inexperience and ask what NCW refers to?
Can I show my inexperience and ask what NCW refers to?
What would you have done? Incident in the Solent yesterday.
- Thread starter z1ppy
- Start date
z1ppy
Well-Known Member
Not at all. i knew a little about it but had to look it up when we got back... as it happens, they have a station at Calshot and suspect they were the ones watching us.
http://www.nci.org.uk/
Switch
Well-Known Member
Virtually same thing happened to me last year approaching Portsmouth Hbr entrance. Lost steering - called coastguard then seastart. All sorted with no fuss apart from the Sea France Ferry that was delayed by 10mins as a precaution. I'd say you did everything right.
colingr
Well-Known Member
National Coast Watch, bunch of volunteers that have taken over various coast guard watch huts. The ones in question sit in the tower at Calshot.
Useful bunch of people.
Oops, a bit late with the reply..
ProDave
Well-Known Member
The only thing I would have done differently is wet weather gear on from the start. A RIB is a wet boat in anything other than flat calm so I would never go out on one even on a perfect day without my wet weather gear.
Everything else you seemed to handle perfectly.
Hope the engine repair is not too costly.
Everything else you seemed to handle perfectly.
Hope the engine repair is not too costly.
SpottyDog5
Well-Known Member
Hmmm, thought provoking, on the basis of your experience I've just joined Sea start.
z1ppy
Well-Known Member
Whilst i wont disagree that
a) we should have had wet weather gear and
b) ribs offer less protection that other boats.
we frequently go our in 4's and 5's with "normal" clothes on without issue (just with our wets in the forward locker like they should have been this time!
)In fact the only reason we were wet yesterday was the torrential rain that was coming down, at no point, even when beam on to the conditions did we get any sea water in the boat. the fact remains we got wet as a result of what was happening and having offshores would have helped considerably!!
This of course doesnt take away from the fact and as said, if anyone learns from our experience its a worthwhile exercise.
Thanks everyone for the comments. it certainly made me think about what i could have done better but as many have said, we got home safely and without placing ourselves or others in immediate danger.
JumbleDuck
Well-Known Member
What does "guarding a channel" mean?
prv
Well-Known Member
I've heard it more in aviation stuff than marine, but from context I've always understood it to simply mean listening to that channel. So most of us could be said to "guard" ch16.
I'd be interested to know what distinction VTS is making between "guard" and "monitor" in that sentence though.
Pete
rbcoomer
Well-Known Member
They're also dependent on donations for covering their costs and very helpful if you want to know what sea state is like on their patch of coast! We've phoned occasionally when heading around to/from Dartmouth - it's quite a lonely job and I think they like to help
As well as waterproof poncho's, you can pick up thermal foil blankets for pennies and they are a very useful addition to the boat's first air kit. They pack very small and weigh next to nothing! (example: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Emergency...of-NEW-/291245864229?var=&hash=item43cf9b3525 )
Griffin Marine
Well-Known Member
Nice job mate sound like All went well , I carry a drogue chuck it off the bow puts you head to wind and slows you down .
Useful if to deep to anchor .
Tim
Useful if to deep to anchor .
Tim
volvopaul
Well-Known Member
Hi howard , the only addition you could make if the boats transom allows would be small outboard that's kept up to speed in the maintainance dept , starting that would have given you some propulsion to keep you going in a safe area. I'd say you did everything by the book , you made yourselves safe and kept out the way of others.
STEVEDUNSTABLE
Well-Known Member
Hi H..... just to chuck my hat in the ring, i have no criticisms at all over your actions because at the end of the day , YOU n SWMBO are the ones dealing with the "occurrence" in "real time," soaked in cold water and mental calculations whizzing through your brain !!!!!! So as a suggestion for ANY forumites (ME INCLUDED), similar posts should carry a maximum thinking time limit or they become "invalid"......just a thought .....GLAD ALLS WELL WITH YOU BOTH, so no probs just get straight back on the horse and resume HAVING FUN !!!!
Ian h
Well-Known Member
The only thing differently I do is Always carry a spare change of clothes and towel, Even in the middle of summer,
Moving around the boat attaching ropes or fenders there is always the chance to fall in, (not done so and hope not too )
But you never know when could slip.
Glad that you got back to Hythe safely, Lets hope the engineer finds nothing too serious ,
Moving around the boat attaching ropes or fenders there is always the chance to fall in, (not done so and hope not too )
But you never know when could slip.
Glad that you got back to Hythe safely, Lets hope the engineer finds nothing too serious ,
Richard Shead
Slipped Anchor
I would have thought long and hard as to whether there was a return trip to be had on Saturday night or the fact said friends where naughty enough to furnish you with enough alcohol to make you stay over ! and what about your teeth? 
ProDave
Well-Known Member
Whilst i wont disagree that
a) we should have had wet weather gear and
b) ribs offer less protection that other boats.
we frequently go our in 4's and 5's with "normal" clothes on without issue (just with our wets in the forward locker like they should have been this time!
In fact the only reason we were wet yesterday was the torrential rain that was coming down, at no point, even when beam on to the conditions did we get any sea water in the boat.
Interesting.
The RIB I frequently use is a Humber, about 6 metres or so with a 40 HP OB.
I was out on Sunday in the upper end of a F5 and making even modest progress into the wind was very wet on the boat, and that's sea water wet. So you have a good sea boat if you can make progress in a F5 without getting wet.
Uricanejack
Well-Known Member
So... what would you have done?
You did well? better than me. My biggest problem is refusing to admit I need help.
In The past when my motor died in a Busy Narrow Channel. I did none of the above. I was drifting, taking the motor apart trying to fix it. Next thing two ferries were coming. one going each way I was in the middle of the channel in a strong current. motor in bits. I had paddles and I was quite impressed with how quickly I was able to paddle an 18ft planning hull with a 90 on the back.
made it to a nearby beach.
I kept my face down and did not look directly at ferry just in case I might be recognized later in a line up.
Once ashore it took me about 45 minutes to clean the carbs, plugs and fuel pump. and was able to run home.
Fishing trip was a bust though. should get myself a kicker. Big motor's don't like running at trolling speed. and should have known better than to use last seasons left over fuel when my main tank ran low.
You did well? better than me. My biggest problem is refusing to admit I need help.
In The past when my motor died in a Busy Narrow Channel. I did none of the above. I was drifting, taking the motor apart trying to fix it. Next thing two ferries were coming. one going each way I was in the middle of the channel in a strong current. motor in bits. I had paddles and I was quite impressed with how quickly I was able to paddle an 18ft planning hull with a 90 on the back.
made it to a nearby beach.
I kept my face down and did not look directly at ferry just in case I might be recognized later in a line up.
Once ashore it took me about 45 minutes to clean the carbs, plugs and fuel pump. and was able to run home.
Fishing trip was a bust though. should get myself a kicker. Big motor's don't like running at trolling speed. and should have known better than to use last seasons left over fuel when my main tank ran low.
Uricanejack
Well-Known Member
I think it depends how much shelter you can get. even a windscreen helps a lot. I find its not so much spray as the wind which effects me. I have been surprised a few times on "nice days". all well and good running down wind, coming back, I've been bl!@#y cold.
One particular piece of bad judgment on my part. Agreeing to take a casualty to medical help in an open rib. I gave the casualty a full suit thinking I would be fine with just a jacket. It was a summer late afternoon, quite warm out and thought I would be to hot. It was approximately 2 hours around 50 miles to get to assistance. I was pretty close to hypodermic when we got there.
even my first aid was cold in a full suit. Casualty was fine.
Did I mention it was a nice evening. slight headwind F 2. If I was smart I would have learned from the experience. Although I wont do an extended run with out full foul weather gear on. I still go out on a short run with just Jacket. Its usually cold.
My old boat had a wind screen and spray hood. much more comfortable than my current boat which has a windscreen.
Solitaire
Well-Known Member
This happened to me! In fact I use the same scenario for VHF course assessments. When I boated for pleasure, my Sprint broke down in the main channel and I was drifting.! I thought about the call and decided to advise Southampton VTS of the situation on Ch 12. My rationale was that all vessels using the main channel would be on listening watch to Ch 12 and they would hear the call. VTS said they had me on radar (pre AIS days) and that they had tasked the Harbour Patrol boat to my position. I had also called SeaStart who actually arrived first, so stood HM down.
My view was that by calling SCG they would only relay the situation to to VTS anyway. The Solent is really one large harbour controlled by two authorities, Southampton VTS and QHM Portsmouth. In the event of what I call a non-emergency, I would opt for either VTS or QHM depending on my location. The same applies if I had a problem in say the Hamble, I would advise Hamble Radio on Ch 68 or in Cowes on Ch69.
It is a good idea to have a list of the other services channels onboard if you can't remember them.
I am not discounting any emergency situation where clearly SCG is the correct option, I have even called SCG on an occasion where I came across a rib tied up to Calshot North Cardinal with nobody onboard! Some what Marie Celesteish!
My view was that by calling SCG they would only relay the situation to to VTS anyway. The Solent is really one large harbour controlled by two authorities, Southampton VTS and QHM Portsmouth. In the event of what I call a non-emergency, I would opt for either VTS or QHM depending on my location. The same applies if I had a problem in say the Hamble, I would advise Hamble Radio on Ch 68 or in Cowes on Ch69.
It is a good idea to have a list of the other services channels onboard if you can't remember them.
I am not discounting any emergency situation where clearly SCG is the correct option, I have even called SCG on an occasion where I came across a rib tied up to Calshot North Cardinal with nobody onboard! Some what Marie Celesteish!
z1ppy
Well-Known Member
good idea, will look out for one.
we do have an Aux outboard bracket on the boat but i havent used a small wing engine on the boat. i guess i would need a 6 / 8 hp as minimum to keep us in position (or out of a difficult position) rather than move us at any speed but its absolutely. something to look at . your comment about keeping it up on the maintance front is critical! i wonder how many wing engines are never looked at and then dont work when the time comes?
I would have thought long and hard as to whether there was a return trip to be had on Saturday night or the fact said friends where naughty enough to furnish you with enough alcohol to make you stay over ! and what about your teeth?
coming home Saturday night fueled by Doombar was not a viable option! far too much fun was being had to cut it short! as for teeth, you obviously havent been to this persons pad, we were presented with a airline style wash bag and tooth brush! 
I would say that maybe 6 meter and 40 HO is slightly underpowered which will not help. Humber ribs have their tubes sat on the water where as ours are a little higher which makes us roll a little more when at rest but is drier, it also means we tend to ride a little higher than others.
The benefit of surplus of power is it allows you to drive the boat more aggressively when it roughs up. it may sound strange but, particularly with our boat, driving with enthusiasm in bigger seas allows us to hop from wave to wave giving a dryer ride. it does of course require a lot of concentration and when it goes wrong you do risk getting rather wet.
At the time of the problem we were making around 28 kts in a following sea and staying completely dry, engine trimmed out to give plenty of bow lift in the troughs and throttling down the waves to keep the bows up. it was far from Big seas and typical solent / calshot chop. I would add that the extra length makes a massive difference to ride. our previous ribs (5 meters, 6 meters and 7.5 meters) would have struggled to give anywhere near the ride and weather protection we get now.
Just for record, i did attempt to contact VTS before SCG but was unable to raise a reply. i made three attempts on the space of around 2 minutes whilst waiting for a break in comms on the channel but no reply. i have to put this down to our position and the lack of height for our VHF aerial.
Reading this back, i am pleased i took the time to post and pleasantly please with how others thought we handled the situation. The end result was a safe one which was the critical factor and the route we took to get there seems to be largely the right one.
Lessons learnt, hopefully lessons shared and thoughts provoked with others. Thats what this forum is about and i for one have learnt a lot from other people here over the years.
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