An interesting day and DSC really works !

[LURCHER]

Saturday was a varied day starting off with an alternator change which for once went smoothly with only one socket lost in the bilges . Then a rough ride to Portsmouth to give the batteries a good charge . On crossing from Gunwharf to Ballast we got clearance to cross and my son took a slight angle rather than a 90 degree route .We were pounced on by Cpt Mainwaring & Cpl Jones in the QHM patrol boat who took great delight in telling off my son in no uncertain terms . I took issue with their attitude and reminded them of the statement on QHM website that they are ( To advise and assist) and that it would have been better to explain why they had stopped us rather than the heavy handed manner they adpoted.It was obvious they were looking for a victim to bollock and chose a 20 year old in charge of a large RIB .
Our return to Chichester was rougher still due to the massive ebb that had started .Dropped off every one at the pontoon and returned to my mooring , picked up the chain and was having a tidy up when I heard a loud beeping , I thought now what yet another engine warning and went to the console to have a look .It was the DSC with a Mayday . Looked at the chart plotter and to my horror the waypoint was just outside the harbour . I waited about 30 seconds to see if there was a responce .
Nothing heard except a female voice saying something like ' help he's gone overboard' my heart stopped ! I ran up and dropped the chain and took off down the harbour at max welly .
All the timewas trying to think through what I was going to do and how, being single handed at the time . I was also trying to speak to Solent on 16 and drive the boat . As I got got near to the waypoint on the plotter I was greatly relieved to find both Lifeboats and Hayling Rescue converging on the same spot . We all stopped and there was no boat to be seen ! Conatct had been lost on 16 and SCG were calling without any response . A dredger working nearby reported a yatch with a man being dragged behind some 1 mile west of the MOB waypoint . I am glad to say Frank Dunster (legend) of Hayling Rescue ( google him) was frst on the scene and got the guy out of the water . He had gone overboard and was being dragged by his lifeline and banging against the hull! Frank cut the line and got him aboard .
The return to the mooring was at the 8 knot limit and my heart was doing a lot more !

[chewy]

Nice work.

[C2 RIBS]

Originally Posted by LURCHER

Saturday was a varied day starting off with an alternator change which for once went smoothly with only one socket lost in the bilges . Then a rough ride to Portsmouth to give the batteries a good charge . On crossing from Gunwharf to Ballast we got clearance to cross and my son took a slight angle rather than a 90 degree route .We were pounced on by Cpt Mainwaring & Cpl Jones in the QHM patrol boat who took great delight in telling off my son in no uncertain terms . I took issue with their attitude and reminded them of the statement on QHM website that they are ( To advise and assist) and that it would have been better to explain why they had stopped us rather than the heavy handed manner they adpoted.It was obvious they were looking for a victim to bollock and chose a 20 year old in charge of a large RIB .
!

You are correct they seemed a little over zealous yesterday. I saw them approaching our two RIBs in their Dory as we entered the harbour about 2 pm and it did look like they were intent on being in everyones face, it was certainly a different feel to them yesterday despite not actually speaking to them, I even point to them for my clients to see what they were doing. I dont believe we did anything wrong , as correct speed and proceedures adopted but these two were jsut staring at everyone. Perhaps we could offer them a customer services course!

Well done on responding , got to say rescue cover around Hayling is good and Frank is always there with his massive RIB!

[LURCHER]

Thinking more about it now I realise how badly I did ! Not responding to the DSC and gabbling on 16 ! Just glad Frank was around i hate to think what would have happened with him.

[C2 RIBS]

Originally Posted by LURCHER

Thinking more about it now I realise how badly I did ! Not responding to the DSC and gabbling on 16 ! Just glad Frank was around i hate to think what would have happened with him.

Dont knock yourself, you were there and helped, also using 16 might have been the only way to act as relay etc etc. If you had been in the way or talking too much I am sure coast guard ops would have asked you firmly to wait out! I was out last weekend when another went off but it was relayed from Portland area but still we heard it, still sends a chiver down the spine thinking someone in trouble.

[PeterM]

Originally Posted by LURCHER

Thinking more about it now I realise how badly I did ! Not responding to the DSC and gabbling on 16 ! Just glad Frank was around i hate to think what would have happened with him.

I think you are being hard on yourself . You put yourself out, to the right place in a very capable boat, only to find you couldn't help. You could have come upon a very differant scene and done all you could to help.

I did hear this on 16 but was 35 miles away and did hear the CG cancel the call.

I think a good effort on your and all involved.

[Channel Ribs]

A good effort indeed. Nice one.

I hope the guy suffered no ill effects.

Also nice to know that the DSC system is coming together, it gets a fair bit of stick but clearly the big red button does have uses after all.

[Mick Balch]

Originally Posted by LURCHER

Saturday was a varied day starting off with an alternator change which for once went smoothly with only one socket lost in the bilges . Then a rough ride to Portsmouth to give the batteries a good charge . On crossing from Gunwharf to Ballast we got clearance to cross and my son took a slight angle rather than a 90 degree route .We were pounced on by Cpt Mainwaring & Cpl Jones in the QHM patrol boat who took great delight in telling off my son in no uncertain terms . I took issue with their attitude and reminded them of the statement on QHM website that they are ( To advise and assist) and that it would have been better to explain why they had stopped us rather than the heavy handed manner they adpoted.It was obvious they were looking for a victim to bollock and chose a 20 year old in charge of a large RIB .
Our return to Chichester was rougher still due to the massive ebb that had started .Dropped off every one at the pontoon and returned to my mooring , picked up the chain and was having a tidy up when I heard a loud beeping , I thought now what yet another engine warning and went to the console to have a look .It was the DSC with a Mayday . Looked at the chart plotter and to my horror the waypoint was just outside the harbour . I waited about 30 seconds to see if there was a responce .
Nothing heard except a female voice saying something like ' help he's gone overboard' my heart stopped ! I ran up and dropped the chain and took off down the harbour at max welly .
All the timewas trying to think through what I was going to do and how, being single handed at the time . I was also trying to speak to Solent on 16 and drive the boat . As I got got near to the waypoint on the plotter I was greatly relieved to find both Lifeboats and Hayling Rescue converging on the same spot . We all stopped and there was no boat to be seen ! Conatct had been lost on 16 and SCG were calling without any response . A dredger working nearby reported a yatch with a man being dragged behind some 1 mile west of the MOB waypoint . I am glad to say Frank Dunster (legend) of Hayling Rescue ( google him) was frst on the scene and got the guy out of the water . He had gone overboard and was being dragged by his lifeline and banging against the hull! Frank cut the line and got him aboard .
The return to the mooring was at the 8 knot limit and my heart was doing a lot more !

After we chatted about the french trip my boy and I tried to catch a mackerel or two from the beach by the race box.

I saw you go stonking out & wondered why, all clear now. nice to know your never too far away from help when you need it. Did I see you bringing the yacht back in a little later?
later
I will get back to you to plan the trip to St Vasst.

MB

[codprawn]

Well done Lurcher you did your best!!!

And I just hate and detest busy bodies like that - bah humbug and all that - they are lucky they didn't have a go at me.........

I just googled Frank Dunster - an amazing bloke - it's rather ironic that he must be way over the age that the RNLI force ILB crew to retire at - good job he's still going!!!

[chewy]

Originally Posted by codprawn

Well done Lurcher you did your best!!!

And I just hate and detest busy bodies like that - bah humbug and all that - they are lucky they didn't have a go at me.........

I just googled Frank Dunster - an amazing bloke - it's rather ironic that he must be way over the age that the RNLI force ILB crew to retire at - good job he's still going!!!

You can stay on ILB's past 45 if you do a yearly medical. I think its only upto 50 though.