Will we all have dry boats if the MCA get their way?

[ QUOTE ]
Excellent point. If you are going to drown, it would be better if you were blind drunk before you did it so praps MCA should be encouraging us to get wasted before we go near any water
Interesting statistics though. It seems that only 22 out of 427 drowning deaths took place whilst boating and using their 1 in 7 figure for involvement of alcohol that means only 3 people drowned whilst boating and under the influence of alcohol and of those 3, I bet 1 or 2 would have drowned anyway whether having drunk alcohol or not so that leaves a huge massive problem of 1-2 people a year drowning due to the effects of alcohol whilst boating. And the MCA want drink-drive laws for boating on this basis? Dont they analyse their own statistics? Wankers. Lets hope the RYA manages to shoot them down

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Thats why i have paid my dues to the R.Y.A since 1973.
to support their membership not the government or Quango`s
 
Yes, everything in moderation of course.

South Today had the courtesy to reply to my e-mail and their point is that boats can do serious damage and yet in the case of leisure boats are not covered by legislation relating to drinking. I fear that this is their campaign and they used the MCA's launch of their "Dont Drink and Drown" campaign to raise it.

Their evening bulletin did at least give Rod Carr the chance to counter the claims - a job he did reasonbly well (and he's earnt our RYA membership for a few more years based on that /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Rick
 
If you want to see the TV report it's on the BBC website for South Today. Click on the 6.30 evening news and when it comes up it's about 7 minutes into the broadcast. Sorry, I would post a link but, for some reason it doesn't seem to work.

This really annoys me. I don't think anyone supports excessive booze on boats but the problem is so small to call for legislation is ludicrous.

PS the link is: http://www.bbc.co.uk/england/southtoday/
...I don't know why it's not linking though.....
 
Re: Means to an end

A couple of thoughts...

- we have to moor, so there is no need to pull you over... just some "you should live your life like I do" brigade waiting at marinas, popular mooring spots etc on a random basis
- courts can ban people from keeping animals and there is no licensing there

The Nanny State is scary.
 
Rod did well. Kept repeating that the number of incidents involving boats was tiny and that the numbers in the report were for general water deaths, not boating.
 
I totally agree with this nanny state thing which totally and completely hacks me off, the problem is if one wanted to get away from it where would you go. Given free choice which country is relatively 'nanny' free yet has good infrastucture and a reasonable economy, good flight connections back to the UK and boaty friendly, if there is such a place I am off tomorrow but I can't think of a single Euro country that isn't ruled or controlled by pillocks. The isle of man is about as near as I can find, generally get left to your own devices, very boaty friendly (if lacking in facilities) and a government that is not obsessed with H&S and quangos. Down side is the boat season is fairly short and weather can be a bit hit and miss.

Now if we could pick the whole kaboudle up and plonk it in the middle of the med we're laughing.
 
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I Given free choice which country is relatively 'nanny' free yet has good infrastucture and a reasonable economy

[/ QUOTE ]

And if there isn't one, then does that imply that nannyish regulation is part of becoming a country with good infrastructure and reasonable economy?

There are plenty of non-nannyish states with no H&S where buildings fall down, ferries continuously capsize and building sites are perfect Darwinian engines. Now would you move to one like that?
 
I like the concept but wouldn't the goverment with most ex-servicemen in it be Heath's (or possibly Wilson's) - neither example very inspiring.

No, I think perfection will come when most governments are eventually made up of ex-dotcommers. You'll have vision, drive...errr...funky clothes...errr...
 
>>>
I like the concept but wouldn't the goverment with most ex-servicemen in it be Heath's (or possibly Wilson's) - neither example very inspiring.
>>>

I'd have expected ealier than that, although not the 1945 administration, mostly occupied by people who had found a way to stay at home:-) Like the dot come idea though, but you left out the bit about never quite delivering from the promises, but with a bit more money invested... Hang about, that's what we get now isn't it?
 
I know yours was a tounge in cheek remark, but ...

I've met many academically well qualified, earnest and well intentioned persons concerned with formulating safety policy in my working life. A wonderfully intelligent Sylheti girl with an Oxford 2:1; a young Malay with an MSc; a pale thin English Vegan whose administrative capabilities were exemplary beyond question.

What all of them lacked was any practical experience of risk.

They are office based young professionals who have never worked in risk industries. They hold an unassailable belief in statistics. They believe with the totality of their professional hearts and minds that no-one, ever, should die from an accident and that all accidents are preventable given sufficient legislation.

I'm really not taking the piss. They really believe with absolute altruistic commitment that they can save lives and make the world a better place.

However. Were this professional elite to be recruited from those ex-members of our armed services who had seen active service, the risks of hanging baskets falling onto the heads of unfortunate pedestrians, the risks of child blinding from conker fights, and the risks of drunken boaters would be seen as what they are - minimal and therefore unworthy of serious consideration.
 
[ QUOTE ]
good flight connections back to the UK and boaty friendly,

[/ QUOTE ]
once you had found your " paradise " why would you want to come back to this crappy country ? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
Re: Means to an end re bergman

You forgot another thing. What happens when they pull you up out at sea and declare that you are 'drunk'. Who takes charge of your boat ? if they do are they qualified and insured. Can they prove insurance as my boat has named skippers ? What happens if on a sailing boat if they become ill after trying to bash towindard towards their home port. So many questions and so much sport to be had !!!!!
 
Re: Means to an end re bergman

Oh I forget lots of things - age you know.

One other thing I forgot was what happens if you tell them to burger off, what will they do to you for refusing to co-operate? - and with whom.

Will this be a police issue or will MCA do the checks or harbourmasters be involved or will some new agency be created specifically for this.

Will whoever is responsible have powers of arrest?

Will they physically stop a vessel if you refuse to allow them to board you, and if so how?

If you are stopped at sea some distance from a harbour will the reading given in evidence be that of the machine used by the policeman who tests you at sea or will he be required to take you to a police station for a test a la breathalyser law to be taken. Could be lots of time to sober up so who decides how fast you motor or what sails are set.

If in a motor boat do police pay for the fuel used taking you miles out of your way.

Will rules for merchants ships being delayed apply (demurrage?)

If you refuse to sail your boat in the way that they order is it mutiny - does the policeman become the skipper of your boat

This sort of thing is far more complex than breathalysing drivers on the high street, and if you have a long memory like me you will recall all the problems with that law - bobbies not wearing helmets etc etc.

Looks to me like another lawyer's benefit by the lawyer's government.
 
I think you've hit the nail squarely on the head (whilst wearing the requisite safety glasses, gloves and hard hat of course!).

Rick
 
Re: Well, you can see their point!

Oi!!!!!

I resemble that remark!! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

...and the other pint was the cameraman's. Nice still shot off the dvd though and thanks for keeping my, sorry his, identity a secret. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
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