Getting Started

[luckybob99]

Ok I'm new to this so please bear with me.

What do you need to take a rib on the sea ??
I know now that if you have a vhf radio a lience and operator cert is required but is that it ??
No insurance etc ??
I was once on a diving rib and it was stopped by the Coastguard and the skipper was asked for some sort of documentation dont know what though !
Thanks for any info

[codprawn]

Fortunately boating is one of the very few freedoms we have left in this country.

You can just get a boat - or even an old skip with an outboard - and get in it and go.

It is when you start using it commercially things really change.

Of course things aren't always this simple. Many places insist on some form of insurance. VHFs don't have to be carried but if you intend to use one you need to pass an exam and get a licence - no licence fee after Oct though.

[Polwart]

not quite as simple as that - you need to carry a sheet with the distress signals on it. and a radar reflector if practicable. see here e.g.

http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/solas.pdf

as well as these requirements there are number of other things you should carry unless you think you know better - in which case you wouldn't have asked. These will include flares, fire extinguisher, lifejackets, spare kill cord, tools, spare fuel, anchor, fog horn, etc. etc. etc. search safety on here and you will find loads of pages which descirbe the essentials. Best bet though would be to book yourself on an RYA level 2 powerboat course where you will learn all this and how to use it etc.

Finally whilst insurance may be optional in my opinion it should be a prerequesite as the potential damage and with no insurance then you personally would be held liable.

[codprawn]

It says "if the boat is small or exposed" you don't need to carry the chart - just make sure you have seen it.

Anyway - "it was washed away in the accident your honour"!!!

I wonder how many people in little dinghys or other small craft bother or are even aware of this new law(2002).

I carry far more gear than I need to - my choice - if someone is stupid enough to set out without the proper gear that is their choice. In these days of the "nanny state" it is nice to have a few choices left!!!

[luckybob99]

Thanks alot chaps . Best I get searching on this stuff dont want to get caught short....

[Polwart]

Originally Posted by codprawn

It says "if the boat is small or exposed" you don't need to carry the chart - just make sure you have seen it.

Anyway - "it was washed away in the accident your honour"!!!

Mmm. not sure that will wash - sounds like you are looking for excuses not to carry a sheet of paper? If you can carry your electrics, charts and eveything else you probably have on that ship you just bought - can't see your opposition to the bit of paper. Fair enough on your SIB, although I manage on my boat which is only marginally bigger. I don't think its going to save my life - but there is no real reason not to.

I wonder how many people in little dinghys or other small craft bother or are even aware of this new law(2002).

I don't think that part was new in 2002 - just the passage planning section - but I might be wrong. Is it not practical to carry it on a dingy or tender with no storage - but on most ribs there is no reason not to. Ignorance is not a defence. And Luckybob was asking for the rule - which I informed him of so now he knows!

I carry far more gear than I need to - my choice - if someone is stupid enough to set out without the proper gear that is their choice. In these days of the "nanny state" it is nice to have a few choices left!!!

And yet you call them stupid - and are probably one of the first to point out the errors of their ways on here when something goes wrong... ...the nanny state is likely to interfere where self regulation does not work - so Luckybob seeking an RYA course, and getting advice here on what he needs to go afloat is actually a step to preventing the nanny state interefering. If people chose to be "stupid" (as you put it) and go afloat without appropriate skills, equipment or experience then the "nanny state" will innevitable see it as appropriate to interfere (and they might well be right!).

[BogMonster]

Originally Posted by codprawn

an old skip with an outboard

Suitable craft available here

[Nos4r2]

Might be worth a read? Yes, I'm pimping myself again guys

Starting boating? Nos's guide for beginners.

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Polwart

Mmm. not sure that will wash - sounds like you are looking for excuses not to carry a sheet of paper? If you can carry your electrics, charts and eveything else you probably have on that ship you just bought - can't see your opposition to the bit of paper. Fair enough on your SIB, although I manage on my boat which is only marginally bigger. I don't think its going to save my life - but there is no real reason not to.

Not disagreeing with you as such - just stupid laws made by pen pushers.

I have to be honest I wasn't aware of the need to carry the signals paper - having looked at it I think it is even more of a joke. You HAVE to carry the paper or look at it by law - and yet you don't have to carry flares by law - as the paper is showing you which flares to use it seems a bit pointless if you haven't got any flares!!!

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by BogMonster

Suitable craft available here

Very apt!!!