Rib crash driver prosecuted

[codprawn]

Some time ago we discussed a bloke who hit an unlit mooring buoy at speed at night injuring his crew.

Just noticed in PBO that they now intend to prosecute him.

Whilst I agreed that he was an idiot to travel at speed at night it does still leave the question - why the hell wasn't the buoy lit - it does after all weigh 20 tons!!! Apparently the buoy was removed after the accident - then replaced - still without a light!!!

YES it is marked on charts but from what I could see in PBO not that clearly - a light needn't cost much so why not???

[benc]

Was this the one in Southampton water?

There are a few unmarked mooring bouys there, which if travelling on a dark/foggy night can be very hard to see... although they are nice and yellow and can be seen during the day... doesnt mean they can be seen at night, I definately agree that they should be lit.

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by benc

Was this the one in Southampton water?

There are a few unmarked mooring bouys there, which if travelling on a dark/foggy night can be very hard to see... although they are nice and yellow and can be seen during the day... doesnt mean they can be seen at night, I definately agree that they should be lit.

Yes it was - few of the passengers badly injured - one lost an eye!!!

it makes me wonder in this day and age of that dreaded phrase "risk assesment" how the hell they can leave these things unlit in such a busy area!!! That seems to me to be criminal as well......

[tcwozere]

There are unlit bouys everywhere tho.. Quite a few have been placed out in the Solent, and between the forts and Haslar for the fleet review, and they are unlit.. So being a sensible chappie , I have them logged into the plotter, so now know when I am getting close..

Thing is tho, if there have been unlit bouys in Southampton water for awhile, what was a "responsible" skipper doing ragging his rib down there in the dark?? And if they are still there, any one with half an ounce of common, should get the position of them logged..

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by tcwozere

There are unlit bouys everywhere tho.. Quite a few have been placed out in the Solent, and between the forts and Haslar for the fleet review, and they are unlit.. So being a sensible chappie , I have them logged into the plotter, so now know when I am getting close..

Thing is tho, if there have been unlit bouys in Southampton water for awhile, what was a "responsible" skipper doing ragging his rib down there in the dark?? And if they are still there, any one with half an ounce of common, should get the position of them logged..

Doubt they were as big as this thing though - 20tons!!! Still the bloke was an idiot as you say!!!

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by codprawn

Doubt they were as big as this thing though - 20tons!!! Still the bloke was an idiot as you say!!!

I will pass your comments on next time I meet him.

Pete

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Pete7

I will pass your comments on next time I meet him.

Pete

Will you also ask him why he was travelling at speed in an unlit area and why he crashed into a buoy that WAS on the chart - surely if he had been using a plotter he would have seen he was about to run into it???

[Nick Hearne]

Originally Posted by codprawn

Will you also ask him why he was travelling at speed in an unlit area and why he crashed into a buoy that WAS on the chart - surely if he had been using a plotter he would have seen he was about to run into it???

So all boats come with a chart plotter then

[Simon Hawkins]

Their are lessons to be learnt here.

1. Prepare a passage plan.
2. Slow down in the night or bad vis.
3. In the dark or bad visibility do not go outside of a navigable channel.
4. Dont rely of chart plotter as the majority of non navigational buoys will not show.

[Scary Des]

Originally Posted by Nick Hearne

So all boats come with a chart plotter then

In codders world they do