rib runs into cowes breakwater

[nik]

And another cowes week casualty.

Story here.

Nick.

[Just Looking]

Quotes from the report 'told by police not to set off because it appeared they had been drinking and had no life jackets or lights'

and 'shortly after the police had advised the crew, the vessel attempted to leave Cowes at speed and hit the breakwater'

completely unprofesional.


Whilst I would not wish anyone physical harm, if this report is correct then they deserve to be prosecuted.

[NautiAndNice]

Sad story. Hope those injured make a good recovery.

Have to say though, am seriously surprised that there haven't been more similar accidents, having witnessed the antics down here this week.

I've long given up counting the number of RIBs we've seen this week with not a lifejacket in sight ... sadly some regular contributors to this forum have been among the offenders...

There is also a notable absence of additional safety gear on the majority of vessels ... no VHF/GPS etc and I reckon the closest thing to flares on many vessels is a cigarette lighter.

There's just no talking to some of these people.

[nikster]

the rib was a right mess - both bow chambers and hull damaged, driver impaled on steering wheel, which was unrecognisable as a wheel.....

like others, i am appalled at the standard of seamanship displayed, however i do believe the biggest culprits were the chase / crew ribs operated by drivers who maybe have a pl2 but is a yacht racer by trade - so uses it purely as a hack, not a true ribber....!!

to make matters worse, an hour ago i was on the green fuel pontoon with the nozzle in the tank for some utter $$nker in a class 4 yacht to smack me in the transom doing 2 or 3 knots - so took his insurance details then showed him his yacht has come off worse as he now has a vertical split in the bow about 8 inches..... our damage was a small impact mark about an inch across..

I was inspected by the MCA on Tuesday, and i know Tim was as well, anyone else know Sian... she's a honey...!!

later

[Doug Stormforce]

These twats get no sympathy fom me, all they do is strengthen big brothers case to legislate an activity that is largely trouble free.

[codprawn]

Of course3 any legislation brought in would no doubt cover the whole country even though some areas are worse than others.

I have noticed that MOST of the people who keep boats in Burry Port harbour are pretty experienced - the sort of people who have been around boats all their lives - to be honest you need to be as the waters are so dangerous.

Swansea marina on the other hand seems to attract many boaters who just think a boat is a cool thing to have - the standard of seamanship overall seems to be lower. I suspect the Solent area is pretty similar.

[thorper]

Originally Posted by nikster

like others, i am appalled at the standard of seamanship displayed, however i do believe the biggest culprits were the chase / crew ribs operated by drivers who maybe have a pl2 but is a yacht racer by trade - so uses it purely as a hack, not a true ribber....!!

We went up to the Folly for dinner on Wednesday night, coming back in the dark. In the short run back down to Cowes there were 3 ribs on the river running without lights, with no lifejackets on either. Even when we illuminated them with a dive torch they failed to get the hint about lights!

[Doug Stormforce]

Originally Posted by codprawn

Swansea marina on the other hand seems to attract many boaters who just think a boat is a cool thing to have - the standard of seamanship overall seems to be lower. I suspect the Solent area is pretty similar.

I kind of agree, however its not so much the Solent but more the time of year.

Last 2 weeks of july and August up until the bank holiday is the silly season

[timw]

Originally Posted by NautiAndNice

I've long given up counting the number of RIBs we've seen this week with not a lifejacket in sight ... sadly some regular contributors to this forum have been among the offenders...

Go on, spill the beans...who were they?

I would be hilarious if they turned out to be some of the the ribnet "elf 'n safety" policemen!

[NautiAndNice]

Originally Posted by timw

Go on, spill the beans...who were they?

I would be hilarious if they turned out to be some of the the ribnet "elf 'n safety" policemen!

Hmm. Tempting.

Silly season still alive and well down here...

Watched from the Parade yesterday as a bloke in a ~5m RIB (complete with club burgee) picked up two teenagers from the water ... teenagers climbed over the transom, levering themselves up by placing feet on tubes and sides of engine ... and yes, you've guessed it, engine was running the whole time.

Worse sighting today though ... was leaving Shepards at about 12ish and watched as about 6 adults with 2 babies (no more than 2-3 months old) piled into a ~4m RIB and headed off ... not a life jacket in sight.

It must've been the day for general muppetry today though... this afternoon we came across a small motor boat on the rocks by Gurnard Ledge. Poor Cowes Inshore Lifeboat crew stood by the sod for almost 5 hours until they saw him safely floated off and on his way.