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Calamity

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Whilst approaching Chichester bar at about 1300 (wind SW 5) today I overtook 2 large motorboats going very slowly. They should really have got out of my way, as I was sailing. Shortly afterwards, the seas turned very nasty.

Do motorboats influence the seas ahead? There was nobody else about to explain the big seas.

Bloody inconsiderate, I thought. Anyone else noticed this sort of behaviour?

Anyway, middle of this lot and I get this piercing alarm going off. I recently fitted a gas alarm, so took the wire cutters to it but then realised it was coming from the chart table behind me. I tried switching everything off, but it was still going and (to be honest) put the wind up me. It was only when I switched off the domestic batteries it stopped. When I switched it back on, the alarum had gone. I was tempted to put out a VHF call explaining my predicament, but have just fitted a new VHF and it's got a lot of buttons which I don't yet know.

By now I'm sideways to where I want to go and have slowed down. The motorboats are gaining on me so I start the engine. As I regain the channel, the motorboats are crossing from starboard but I want to get in ahead of them. The bloody fuss they made! It was my right of way, I still had some sails up.

And this is mid-week! You can stuff your Solent until some of you learn the Colrision legs.

Calamity

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this is a wind-up, right?

you of course really know that the overtaking boat keeps clear, regardless of power and sail.

so what was the point you were making?



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What more can you expect the lunatics are taking over the asylum. I blame the PC government myself.
Oh and by the way. Even if you have sails hoisted with the engine running your classed as under power so have no rights under "power gives wat to sail"

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You made a few elementary mistakes. By rights you should have been flying a blue ensign, to let the motorboaters know you were claiming right of way over them. In addition, when you wanted to claim your right of way, it is traditional to shout 'water'.

Without these signals, the motorboaters were probably confused, and didn't understand what you intended

<hr width=100% size=1>Me transmitte sursum, caledoni
 
Had a similar experience the other day - sailed up the Hamble to Mercury - it was a bit tight I can tell you, wind very flukey. But it was worth it and I felt quite proud of myself - I think everyone else was pretty impressed as well judging by the way they were shaking their heads in awe. Couldn't remember the VHF channel for the harbour master so put out an all stations on the new dsc set and asked for an outside berth as I was on a proper boat, all ready for when I cross the oceans (can't understand these people who buy boats that are good in marinas). Anyway, turns out the mobo just ahead had already booked the last outside berth but, by a stroke of luck, as we were approaching Mercury I notice that the mobo hasn't quite got lines sorted and is dallying mid-stream so, being still under sail and him under power obviously, I dipped in ahead of him into the berth. You should have heard the skipper of the mobo. I could have got drawn into an argument but with admirable self restraint I just smiled and pointed to my sails and then his motor. Honestly, its enough to make you want to support compulsory licensing. Still, being the sort of chap who likes to help people (whether they want it or not) and knowing my way around the area well from when I was in the merchant navy, I offered some advice on where else the mobo might go. Ungrateful b****r didn't even have the decency to thank me.

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Did you find out what the piercing alarm was? Perhaps it may have been an alarm clock, sometimes they can be activated by unsuppressed emmissions from the large dynamos (aka COI) in huge mobos? You have my sympathy, what kind of engine have you?

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Woof wooof wooof ... who you calling a woofter mate.. my bite's as bad as my bark .. and I'm not a cork tree .. you cut me up agin ya busturd and I'll bite yer ainkles.

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But did you have a liferaft if things had gone wrong with your berthing proceedure!

<hr width=100% size=1>Woof
 
You are quite right in your thinking that because you have your sails up, the mobo's should get out of the way. If they don't then a quick call on the DSC to the Coastguard will soon sort the mess out. Its a very good idea to put out out a PanPan as that will alert lots of people to your predicament.
You might even get some harbour type chaps turning up in Ribs with flashing blue lights to escort you in.
The big waves are almost certainly caused by MoBo's, because the sea would be totally flat otherwise, and as for having two of them ahead of you, I can't begin to imagine the tsunamis that would enfold.
You must be a very experienced seaman (possibly in the Merchant Navy?) or at least a ButtMasterOcean to have come through it unscathed.
I take my hat off to you and would dearly love to buy you a beer and listen to further tales of daring do..


<hr width=100% size=1><font color=blue>Regards Mark
 
The VHF is wired direct to the domestic battery, so it might have been. Very, very loud - maybe I got the wiring wrong?

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Well, I have a blue ensign and that didn't help. Will try shouting water next time - is this a Solent thing?

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It's not just me then - everyone knows rule 1 of the Colrision legs is power gives way to sail. Mine's a sailboat (like yours) - end of story.

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AAAha your're after a ButtMaster ticket aren't you.. but I've been told that you have to do a lot of pontification first..

Would be glad of any assistance you can give me in gaining my ButtMaster.. they seem very reluctant to award it to me..

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