Fireworks @ Gunwharf, 31st Oct

[Andy]

Lifted this from QHM Portsmouth:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Queen’s Harbour Master that at approximately 1905 on Friday 31 October 2003 a pyrotechnic display will take place from a barge located 150 metres off the outer pontoon of Gunwharf Quays. The firework Display will last approximately 12 minutes, starting at 1905 and completing by 1917.

[jackeen]

Any reason for it

[Brambles]

Originally Posted by jackeen

Any reason for it

Last Friday in the week?

[ashbypower]

Originally Posted by jackeen

Any reason for it

Guess there disposing of outdated offshore kits!!

[codprawn]

just a word of caution - there was a really nasty accident in the Solent when a RIB - who's occupants had been watching the fireworks - collied with a large unlit buoy - at speed!!!

http://www.ybw.co.uk/auto/newsdesk/2...851ywnews.html

This accident was mentioned on Ribnet but not the exact circumstances.

Originally I commented to the effect the RIB crew were responsible - then I found out it was an unlit buoy. Having said that if it was that dark maybe they should have been going a bit slower or used RADAR.

[ashbypower]

Originally Posted by codprawn

just a word of caution - there was a really nasty accident in the Solent when a RIB - who's occupants had been watching the fireworks - collied with a large unlit buoy - at speed!!!

http://www.ybw.co.uk/auto/newsdesk/2...851ywnews.html

This accident was mentioned on Ribnet but not the exact circumstances.

Originally I commented to the effect the RIB crew were responsible - then I found out it was an unlit buoy. Having said that if it was that dark maybe they should have been going a bit slower or used RADAR.

Whole heartedly agree, however you can still safely navigate at speed using a well prepared passage plan, works well for both lit and unlit charted marks. But not however for the UNKNOWN

I hope they are all recovering.

Brian

[Paul Knowlson]

Passage plan or not you have to be crazy to attempt navigation at speed in a small craft at night in the Solent or adjacent areas. There are many, many obstructions, the majority of which are unlit and most often uncharted. The charted position of many seasonal obstructions is "approximate"! The solution is simple. Prepare a detailed passage plan, use a top quality chart plotter, SLOW DOWN, post a look out on the bow. I have also fitted a portable searchlight for the princely sum of around £15 which is extremely useful for spotting unlit channel buoys or piles although care must be excercised not to blind your night vision.

I regularly transit the Solent and Southampton water at night and have some thirty odd years of accumulated knowledge of the hazards therein. Even so on the odd occasion there will be the unexpected . . . . There is nothing which concentrates the mind more than a near miss with a 2 meter diameter unlit race buoy on a moon-less ink black night!

Something that it is almost impossible to cater for is the possible collision with semi submergerged detritis eg a railway sleeper or tree trunk. These are not uncommon, particularly after stormy weather.

Thrill rides in the dark are best experienced in a theme park!

Paul

[The Jackeens]

Good advice Paul.

It's really busy out there and I forget all the time where Brambles is never mind the buoys.
With the latest consignment of goods (sleepers etc.) floating about out there we ain't too keen on any evening spins for the moment
We all feel for the peeps involved in that terrible RIB accident in the Solent this summer and wish them well in their recovery.

missus

[Mark Halliday]

Originally Posted by codprawn

http://www.ybw.co.uk/auto/newsdesk/2...851ywnews.html

Never pays to believe all you read in the press.
After Barn is a Stbd channel bouy not a mooring bouy. It is unlit, but clearly shown on charts. Interestingly,it is well past The Hamble, so if they hit it, they had already missed the turn for home.
Knowing exactly where you are in confined waters, especially at night, is essential. It really reduces your chances of hitting some known object. Unmarked and uncharted objects are a different matter, then you are at the will of chance or your God.

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Mark Halliday

Never pays to believe all you read in the press.
After Barn is a Stbd channel bouy not a mooring bouy. It is unlit, but clearly shown on charts. Interestingly,it is well past The Hamble, so if they hit it, they had already missed the turn for home.
Knowing exactly where you are in confined waters, especially at night, is essential. It really reduces your chances of hitting some known object. Unmarked and uncharted objects are a different matter, then you are at the will of chance or your God.

If it was charted no sympathy at all - teach them to watch where they were going - a chartplotter would have saved some teeth!!!