Coast key

[BruceB]

This seems an interesting idea but no UK distributor listed on the website.
Anybody in the UK got or tried one? It would get round not bothering to strap on a kill cord (I know I know, its sheer laziness and yes I know the reasons for doing it before anybody has a go :0)

[Polwart]

bruce if you are too lazy to clip a cord on - will you be bothered to put the "necklace" on?

Aladins cave have something similar in their catalogue: http://www.aladdinscaveshop.co.uk/in...productid=1328

[BruceB]

It is more because I used my boat more for diving and needed to help folk in and out as there were so few of us on board.
Clipping the the deadman on and off half a dozen times in 5 mins tends to work against using it all the time.
Something that doesn't physically "tie" you to the boat would ideal.
I am perfectly aware of its use and importance and as an RYA instructor usually am hammering it into other folk to use one without always doing so myself (hangs head in shame and gets coat)

[SeaSkills]

Originally Posted by BruceB

(hangs head in shame and gets coat)

Should think so too!!

However, the important point is to have something that will cut off the engine if the person in charge of the boat is in the water. Provided the mechanism used is reliable and functions as it should every time, does it really matter how it works? Perhaps not - but it obviously does have to do the job properly.

My personal preference is very very much in favour of the physical connection and the security of the killcord, but even they can malfunction.

For someone who regularly leaves the control position and has to move around the boat, a wireless system must have some perceived advantages, but I'm not sure that those advantages make up for the risks and the temptation to fall into bad practice.

Personally, if I'm working with divers, I would normally stay at the helm. I see my role as "diver-driver" to be in charge of their safety by being in control of the boat, and to do that best means being at the controls. I would always require a divemaster on board with me, and he can help them get back on board if they can't get up a boarding ladder by themselves. At the very most, I might help the first - he can help the rest.

There are some things about the wireless systems that make me uncomfortable. First of all, I think it would take me some time and lots of trials to be confident with it. I'm not sure if it has a low-battery warning, and that would make me nervous. I'm not sure which system I looked at, but I remember that if you fell in the water wearing it you could be 50m away before it activated the stop switch (I really don't want to swim that far - especially if there is a wind blowing the boat away quicker than I can swim), and the system "for security reasons" would only allow the engine to run for a short period until the driver is back on board and reactivates it. Sorry, but the security I want is knowing that the engine will keep running until I'm picked up, and if the necklace thing fell off (does it float?) I can still use the engine to get home.

Maybe one day - but I don't trust the technology yet.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by SeaSkills

Maybe one day - but I don't trust the technology yet.

Quite, plus if the cox fell overboard would those left behind know how to override it and start the engine to come and pick him up again. In a club environment there could be dozens of people using the boat. At least with the piece of string the switch can be reset on Merc/Mariners or a cable tie for an Evinrude etc.

Bruce, I take your point about having to constantly hook up and then undo to assist the divers. Once on the dive site we tend to leave it unhooked even with the engine running.

Pete

[havener]

Exactly.

If the number of times my wifi cuts out, or phone signal dies, or other bit of "cutting edge" technology fails is anything to go by, this bit of kit whilst well intentioned could prove lethal.

Really like the idea, but too many ifs at the moment for me.

[9D280]

......and if it's set to go off as you go over the side, how far towards the "working area" can you move to help your diving buddies before it kills the engine anyway? If it has that much range (then add a bit of a "convenience margin") and you'll be a dot on the horizon before it does anyhting useful like stop the engine.

The clip / unclip can be made easier & quicker by replacing that stoopid fiddly plastic clip on the end your deadman with a "proper" snap shackle or a velcro watch strap.

[BruceB]

I don't operate in club environment and sometimes it is only the two of us on the boat diving so the circumstances dictate what is done and how.
I don't know whether it is a good bit of kit either, the main reason for asking if anyone was using it. The quoted range was 3-8m and the engine can be started again just by turning the key.
I wouldn't be worried about the boat being 50m away as long as it stopped, I can always swim to a stationary boat. My main worry would be hitting the prop still powering the boat along on the way out.
And if you think this is not possible then I know someone locally who would disagree with you!
The original question stands, anybody know anything about it or using something similiar?
I am still curious about them..............

[Dieselroy]

Hi Guys
we have used Coastkey for about 800 hrs onboard our tornado for the last 2 years an it still works ok.
we also have other comercial operators in Norway wich has over 1000 hrs without changing battery.
On my boat i have the key and the original killcord with me so that the passengers can start the boat if im in the water, it can alos be started from
a switch on the panel inside the boat for 8 minutes after connecting off.

I think it is a huge advantage to be cordless and i saw that when i had a boat without the Coastkey for a few months i was very slappy and often forgot to put the killcord on, meaning that with temperatures around 3 celsius in the water and driving alone i will not survive if i fell in.

Also if the coastkey for a reason should not work, you can unplug it and
use the boat as normal.

For me this is a good insurance, i allways have the Coastkey on my flotation suit an if it goes under water or comes more than approximately 5-8 meters away from the boat it will stop.

I higly recomend it.

dieselroy

[Junior]

Hello All,

The distrubutor for Coastkey in the UK and Ireland is as follows
Dominic O'Loughlin [dominic@narm-ribboats.com].
let me know if you have any problems contacting him as I have his mobile no.

Junior....