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nicho

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I don't know who it was, but a few weeks ago, someone posted, detailing a close call with the WightLink Portsmouth/Wooton Creek Ferry.

In another post I have talked about my test sail experience last Wednesday, during which I came uncomfortably close to a similar incident.

Roughly mid - Solent between Gilkicker and Ryde (heading SW), on starboard tack in F5/6 of Westerly wind, we were being buzzed by a photographer in a RIB. I was helming, and being new to sailing, was having to concentrate quite hard keeping the boat where the photographer wanted it. Suddenly there was a shout from someone "Tack, tack!!". I looked behind and was horrified to see one very large WightLink ferry, only some 300/400 metres directly behind and on what looked to me very much like collision course, and travelling at some speed. We got out of the way pretty damned quick!!

We were just about the only boat out, and quite obviously involved in "an activity", not just dicking around. Yet this guy came straight at us - he would have passed VERY close to our port side if we had not tacked sharply to starboard. There was no five blasts to question our intentions or warn of his approach, and apparantly no attempt to steer off a couple of degrees to give us some room. Perhaps he would have done so at the very last minute, but if so he was leaving it pretty late.

OK, I was absolutely at fault for failing to keep a 360 degree look out, but surely he had some responsibility here. He was not restricted in his ability to manoeuvre, there was plenty of water (just off high water), and he was the overtaking boat - it seems to me he had no rights at all (except those associated with being a bloody site bigger than we were!!)

Frankly, I thought his conduct was appalling - there were several kids outside on the ferry's upper deck, and they were all hooting and hollering at our "quick scarper".

Perhaps the Skipper knew what he was doing, perhaps he did not see us, perhaps he just wanted to scare us with a close pass - I don't know. In my view however, it was a pretty unprofessional thing to do, and it was obvious to us that WE were going to have to take the avoiding action.

It seems these ferries come out of Portsmouth and just head for Wooton Creek regardless of whats in front of them......Yet another lesson learned!!
 

bedouin

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I had a similar uncomfortable experience with the Wightlink ferry St Faith a few weeks ago. We were sailing close hauled towards Portsmouth when the ferry came up (overtaking and under power) far too close to leeward.

As we were already hard on the wind we could not alter course to give them more space, as they came closer the took all the air our of our sails and we ended up with no control, being sucked in towards them by their wash. Eventually they passed us with about 40-50 feet to spare - far too close for comfort.

This was clearly very poor seamanship, and a clear breach of colregs.

Since this is clearly not a one-off I think it is about time we did something. Perhaps as a first step we should write to Wightlink, RYA and QHM
 

l'escargot

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I have posted about this type of behaviour by Wightlink, particularly within the approaches to Wootton Creek.
They seem to have a deliberate policy of "agressive navigation" which seems peculiar to the Portsmouth/Fishbourne route and down to specific skippers.
Please report any concerns to QHM and Wightlink (though expect to be fobbed of by the latter). I would also apreciate information (name of ferry, time & date) relating to any other incidents to build up a bigger picture

Regards

_____________________________

http://www.wootton-creek.freeserve.co.uk/
or
http://homepages.rya-online.net/wootton-creek/
_____________________________
 

Ohdrat

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I have come to the conclusion that ferries do not normally have a skipper they are basically the less intelligent sort of missile.. they never budge from their course even when conditions would allow them to do so. It appears that they program a course and then go and make a cup of tea and wait until they are approaching harbour.. there is effectively no one in command..they are infact NUC not RAM
 

oldharry

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Not so Ohdrat: I was nearly run down by one of the Fishbourne ferries last year. The ferry refused to budge an inch off course and I could clearly see bridge personnel watching me as they passed 30 feet clear of my bows. Just wish I had had my camera at the ready to collect the evidence, but I had one or two other things to think about.....
 

adagio_of_wight

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With a mooring at Hythe, we encounter at least one Red Funnel ferry each time we leave and return. In my view they are generally considerate to yachtsman who are not always so in return. Why, when reaching in a nice SW, one has to sail down the middle of the fairway is beyond me!
 

nicho

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Hi, I think you have maybe misread my posting. I'm NOT talking about the Southampton/Cowes Ferry service, nor about Southampton water (I've also been in Hythe marina for years so know that stretch of water well, and agree the Red Funnel boys are courteous, which is why the actions of some of the WightLink skippers is at odds with the norm). We were on a SW routing in a Westerly wind from Gilkicker towards the IOW, at approx 50.45.70N, 01 08.50W. The Solent was empty, and plenty of water (25 metres+). This guy crept up behind us and would have passed dangerously close (IMHO) had one of our party not noticed him. No blasts to warn us, nothing. I've already put my hand up and said as helmsman at the time, I should have kept a better look out, but in my view the ferry Masters' behaviour was not professional. Neither it seems, according to the other posters, is it unusual.

Maybe I've misunderstood your reply, but I'm not aware of there being a fairway at this point, or am I wrong?
 

Ohdrat

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Re: I wouldn\'t dream of doing this..

"Why, when reaching in a nice SW, one has to sail down the middle of the fairway is beyond me!"
 

brianhumber

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They always seem navigate with due regard for others around them when I go that way.
Remember they have to contend with the likes of the Sunsail idiots day in day out which leads to a certain attitude of mind I expect.
 

nicho

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Brian - it seems that from the comments posted in this (and previous) threads that it perhaps varies from skipper to skipper. For sure the chap in this particular incident was in my view unnecessarily "aggressive" in his navigation. We would have gladly got out of his way long beforehand, if we had seen him earlier. I still say a few blasts of warning at least would not have gone amiss.....he was the overtaking vessel after all, and it must have been obvious that we had not spotted him.

Hopefully he is in the minority, (though I can see what you mean ref. Sunsail), but on this occasion, we were the only boat out there.
 
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> I still say a few blasts of warning at least would not have gone amiss

What is the maritime sound signal for "hi I'm here"?
 

nicho

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It's quite simple - 5 short blasts indicates, (and I quote from Reeds almanac)...."I fail to understand your intentions or actions/I doubt if you are taking sufficient action to avoid a collision."

That's all I would ask for under such circumstances - i.e. a wake up call to let us know he was there. To approach from behind, for what would have been such a close pass without any such warning, was in my view unprofessional. Under such circumstances, do you disagree then?
 

tome

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There was some earlier correspondence about this. For years the Wightlink ferries have maintained curteous and exemplary manners towards yachtsmen, at least in my experience. This all changed recently - apparently with the appointment of a couple of aggresive new captains who have determined that we shall not impede them.

I had a very similiar experience, and at least one other poster was forced to crash-jybe. In both cases we were in clear water and the ferry was unrestricted.

Since then, I've downloaded the MARS Incident Reporting form:
http://www.nautinst.org/mars_form_intro.htm

I keep a couple of copies on board and if it happens again I shall submit a report to the Nautical Institute. If enough people do this, I can imagine that Wightlink may be forced to review their procedures. I always try to keep clear of them, especially in the Swashway to Portsmouth, but don't like the way they are riding rough shod in open waters when a small deviation as required by the regulations would save a situation developing.
 
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> 5 short blasts

Hmmm. I think pro's hold that one in reserve for situations where leisure craft actions really worry them.

There does seem to be a genuine greivance judging by the thread but mis-use of sound signals is not the solution.
 

tome

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Sent the following to email to info@wighlink.co.uk

Could you explain to me why some of your ferries are no longer complying with International Collision Regulations in the Solent, specifically with regard to giving way to vessels under sail in unrestricted waters?

Yo may want to review some posts on this subject at:

http://www.ybw.com/cgi-bin/forums/s...r=268013&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=2&part=

In anticipation
TomE
SY Amaya

BTW, how's the weather out there now? At least you're on a platform - I've ridden out a few of these on a flat bottomed seismic ship and it plays havoc with your fillings!
 
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My reasoning is that if a motor vessel believes he is overtaking a yacht without risk of collision then neither of the 5 blast conditions apply? Happy to be corrected.

I also suspect more frequent use of this signal in similar situations could trigger collisions. Just think, 5 blasts scares yachty who turns around to see bow approaching and believes the onus is now on him to make a quick decision to avoid a collision.

Perhaps in crowded waters ferries should use a single blast of a multi-tone siren that would not be mistaken for a ship's whistle?
 

nicho

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I was only the helmsman and not the skipper (who was a professional yachtsman, and whilst not alarmed by the incident, thought the ferry was completely out of order). As such, it's not really my place to lodge a complaint, but believe me I shall if it happens when I'm in command of my own boat again next year. Mind, I've learned agood lesson ref. keeping a better look out, so some good may have come of it.!
 

tome

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Likewise, when it happened to me I didn't note enough detail so I couldn't complain either. But I now have the forms and will if it happens again.

If an accident does happen I hope there will be enough weight of evidence to show that they routinely ignore the ICRs. I would hope that this would carry sufficient clout to ensure an MCA prosecution against both the master and Wightlink.

Rant over - as I've said before it only appears to be certain skippers who behave in this way and the rest of them are fine.
 

VMALLOWS

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Can only agree. I'd always found all of the ferries very courteous, and had come to believe they actually expected you to keep your course (if sailing)...............untill some months ago when I ecountered the Yarmouth/Lymington while on a run with full sail and tide (going East). The ferry had clearly seen me - he made several changes of direction - but clearly got it wrong and thought he could pass in front. (nothing else around at all). Had to make an emergency gybe (much to the amusement of the ferry passengers on deck). Suppose I should have reported it, but after anchoring and a beer didn't bother.
 
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