To who ever that rib was off Hamble yesterday (18th October)... - Page 3

PeterM · 21 October 2009, 12:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

That doesn't quite answer the question that I asked

I'd hope for the sake of common sense they are exempt . I for one have no problem with them chucking up a wake if they are on the way to help anyone. I have seen them at full chat coming up tiver when someone was about to jump off a local bridge ...............

chewy · 21 October 2009, 12:54

Our boat is in a small harbour but if on a shout we can go WOT as I believe flanking stations do. Obviously your speed reflects your surroundings.

Solent-Salted · 21 October 2009, 12:54

Again, depends on the job,

If it's a vessel with gear failure and no life is in danger, then they should adhere to the limits.

Similar to the police, if the blue light ain't on, then they can't get away with burning off the speed restrictions.

We rely on common sense, have only once burnt up a restricted waterway but that was for people in harms way. We were 100% sure this was the case because the CG had given us all the details and told us to make best speed.

willk · 21 October 2009, 14:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

Our boat is in a small harbour but if on a shout we can go WOT as I believe flanking stations do.

Now THAT answered my question

It kinda soothed my soul too - when my monthly DD goes out to those lads - I want them to spend it on "burning gas while practising rescuing me VERY QUICKLY" instead of fillin' in Jobsworthy's triplicate and calling some crusty old git in the Harbourmaster Office.

jambo · 21 October 2009, 15:04

Me too Wilk
J

ribrunt · 22 October 2009, 11:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

Our boat is in a small harbour but if on a shout we can go WOT as I believe flanking stations do. Obviously your speed reflects your surroundings.

Yep - flat sticks!

Speed limits are generally introduced/enforced under by-laws or similar, which typically have exemptions for certain vessels including those engaged in rescue.

tonymac · 22 October 2009, 21:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

No fair, you didn't say the "Race to the Bilges" had started!

I'm a tad surprised at your post though -

I'd have guessed your G would have been for String

SPOT also comes (humph) to mind!!

:banana:

jambo · 22 October 2009, 21:31

THink you have won the race to the dreaded bilges Tony!!
J

willk · 22 October 2009, 21:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonymac

SPOT also comes (humph) to mind!!

:banana:

Someone has too many "tabs" open

Mike B · 27 October 2009, 22:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookee

I may be wrong (it does happen!) but I don't believe that answering a CG call gives you the right to go as fast as you like in a harbour?

If I remember correctly, when I provided assitance to a yacht off Cardiff I was request by the CG to "Make all speed". Not sure if offically it relaxed the rules on the outer harbour speed limit but I didn't get any complaints from Barrage control.

Mike

Cookee · 28 October 2009, 08:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike B

If I remember correctly, when I provided assitance to a yacht off Cardiff I was request by the CG to "Make all speed". Not sure if offically it relaxed the rules on the outer harbour speed limit but I didn't get any complaints from Barrage control.

Mike

Once again I would ask if they knew where you were and in a speed restricted area? I'm guessing from your reply they didn't?

Mike B · 28 October 2009, 13:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookee

Once again I would ask if they knew where you were and in a speed restricted area? I'm guessing from your reply they didn't?

They knew I was in the process of Locking out, so I hope they would know there is a level of restriction.

Admittedly the outer harbour only consists of about 100-200 metres and purely from a common sense point of view, gunning it out, straight into an on coming vessel would be stupid, so driving at a speed that met the conditions and location, but making the best possible speed seemed appropriate.

Additionally when providing safety cover on the Thames the PLA specify that any speed limits can only be exceeded in a rescue situation where the speed is appropriate to the situation and safe.

Cookee · 28 October 2009, 14:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike B

They knew I was in the process of Locking out, so I hope they would know there is a level of restriction.

Admittedly the outer harbour only consists of about 100-200 metres and purely from a common sense point of view, gunning it out, straight into an on coming vessel would be stupid, so driving at a speed that met the conditions and location, but making the best possible speed seemed appropriate.

Additionally when providing safety cover on the Thames the PLA specify that any speed limits can only be exceeded in a rescue situation where the speed is appropriate to the situation and safe.

Maybe I should ask the question a different way ......... how many people think that when answering a distress call it entitles you to make whatever speed you want in a harbour?

Whilst a small Rib may not make much wake how do you differentiate between small Ribs and larger boats?

willk · 28 October 2009, 15:02

I think it seems reasonable that a responding craft should make the greatest speed that "the skipper deems reasonable" under the circumstances you outline. Safetly should be the bottom line, both of the harbour users, the crew of the responding craft and that of the crew on the boat needing assistance. I wouldn't get too stressed about a couple of old buffers having their GnTs splashed.

PeterM · 28 October 2009, 15:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookee

Maybe I should ask the question a different way ......... how many people think that when answering a distress call it entitles you to make whatever speed you want in a harbour?

Whilst a small Rib may not make much wake how do you differentiate between small Ribs and larger boats?

Depends on what you know about the situation, how well you know the harbour & judgement of impact of speed. All down to the specific situation .

In my situation CG tasked 2 lifeboats & asked me to attend as they knew nothing about numbers etc & later told me they assume the worst in these situations - hence afterwards it seemed like overkill.

Poly · 28 October 2009, 15:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookee

Maybe I should ask the question a different way ......... how many people think that when answering a distress call it entitles you to make whatever speed you want in a harbour?

Whilst a small Rib may not make much wake how do you differentiate between small Ribs and larger boats?

Cookee - I think there is a fine balancing act, just as there is on the road when an ambulance or fire engine is responding to a shout. If there is a genuine reason to believe that life is in immediate danger (i.e. the probability of a positive outcome is significantly enhanced by the time saving) then yes exceeding the speed limit is justified. However that does not necessarily mean that there is no sensible upper speed - which would be determined by conditions, traffic, type of vessel,experience of the skipper, local knowledge etc.