When is close too close !

boristhebold · 08 October 2010, 10:09

I popped to Hythe early this morning in the car to view the new Cunard ship the 'Queen Elizabeth' coming into Southampton, lovely looking ship. I was surprised to see a yellow rib in front of it no more than about 40 feet from it's bow, looked rather dodgy as the ship could not stop if he had a problem, considering the size of the ship as a target I didnt see any police vessels about. I know the Queen herself isnt due to arrive until tommorow for the naming ceremony but I was surprised how close boats could get to the ship. Anyone know the general rule of how close you are allowed to get to a cruise ship or other large vesel for a look.

treerat · 08 October 2010, 10:36

50m springs to mind. They won't like it if you get too much closer.

Man with big gun made that very clear one day in Portland!!!

GordyP · 08 October 2010, 10:57

When QE2 came to the Clyde for the last time, there was a huge banner on her telling all boats to keep clear. Rather usefully I can't now remember whether it was 50 or 100m.

m chappelow · 08 October 2010, 11:06

i suppose it depends on where abouts ,, in a narrow or bouyed channel from what i remember a boat of less than 20 meters shall not impede a larger vessel constained by draught,
so if it is in the confines of a bouyed channel and something goes wrong ,perhaps the ship runs aground because you were in the way owing to it having taken evasive action i am not too sure where the blame would lie for a tug tow off or at at a court hearing/inquest or claim for a salvage recovery..
.think best thing is to keep well away ,,anyhow who wants to look up at a wall of steel plates ,,you can see better from a safe distance.

John Kennett · 08 October 2010, 11:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by boristhebold

Anyone know the general rule of how close you are allowed to get to a cruise ship or other large vesel for a look.

It depends where you are. If it was in the "precautionary area" then there's a Moving Prohibited Zone which extends 1000 metres in front of the ship and 100m either side.

Southampton Notice to Mariners No 3 of 2010

I can't recall any specific distances in other circumstances, other than "a safe distance".

m chappelow · 08 October 2010, 11:12

i suppose it depends on where abouts ,, in a narrow or bouyed channel from what i remember a boat of less than 20 meters shall not impede a larger vessel constained by draught,
so if it is in the confines of a bouyed channel and something goes wrong ,perhaps the ship runs aground because you were in the way owing to it having taken evasive action i am not too sure where the blame would lie for a tug tow off or at at a court hearing/inquest or claim for a salvage recovery..
.think best thing is to keep well away ,,anyhow who wants to look up at a wall of steel plates ,,you can see better from a safe distance.

boristhebold · 08 October 2010, 11:25

Yep that's kind of what I thought, im surprised the person in the rib (about 30feet) directly in front of bow wasn't confronted, but with the abscence of any patrol vessels he got away with it. In comparison the pilot boat was way ahead of him, no way could the bridge officers see the rib, if his engine had conked out he would have been fish food..

C2 RIBS · 08 October 2010, 12:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by boristhebold

In comparison the pilot boat was way ahead of him, no way could the bridge officers see the rib, if his engine had conked out he would have been fish food..

You have stated the pilot boat was ahead of him , did the RIB cross between the QE and the pilot boat? If so the cameras at VTS and aboard the pilot boat would have been busy and expect action.
Were you monitoring VTS? If so I would expect they were "very live" with other RIBs actions

Pikey Dave · 08 October 2010, 12:37

If it had been a WAFI (sorry, I'll get my coat) & not a RIB the WAFI would have expected the powered vessel to give way surely

jyasaki · 08 October 2010, 15:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by m chappelow

in a narrow or bouyed channel from what i remember a boat of less than 20 meters shall not impede a larger vessel constained by draught, so if it is in the confines of a bouyed channel and something goes wrong ,perhaps the ship runs aground because you were in the way owing to it having taken evasive action

More likely the rib ends up in little pieces strewn around the water.

jky

C2 RIBS · 08 October 2010, 16:19

There is an image from Solent news showing the ocean liner with what looks like a RIB as a bow thruster! Its on Daily Mail news pages which I cant paste, it could be the angle but it looks bl**dy close on starboard bow

Rogue Wave · 09 October 2010, 10:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

If it had been a WAFI (sorry, I'll get my coat) & not a RIB the WAFI would have expected the powered vessel to give way surely

That's where the I part comes in.

Any possibility the RIB was a press boat

pvm · 09 October 2010, 15:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by C2 RIBS

There is an image from Solent news showing the ocean liner with what looks like a RIB as a bow thruster! Its on Daily Mail news pages which I cant paste, it could be the angle but it looks bl**dy close on starboard bow

This article, the 4th piccy down..

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...high-seas.html

even in the second piccy down, it seems a bit close to me.

pvm

Pikey Dave · 09 October 2010, 15:31

It's probably not as close as it looks, more to do with relative sizes, perspective & camera angle. Nobody died!

Rogue Wave · 09 October 2010, 17:49

The last time a cunard ship came in for it's maiden voyage I do believe it grounded on the Brambles, with a Southampton Pilot on Board. I would think on this occasion The Southampton Harbourmaster would be looking for a good solid professional docking.

I can't see the Pilot putting up with any waif and stray cuddling up to such a high priority vessel.

BogMonster · 09 October 2010, 18:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by pvm

This article, the 4th piccy down..

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...high-seas.html

even in the second piccy down, it seems a bit close to me.

pvm

Apparently it only cost £365

I must buy one!

Andy B · 09 October 2010, 20:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by C2 RIBS

There is an image from Solent news showing the ocean liner with what looks like a RIB as a bow thruster! Its on Daily Mail news pages which I cant paste, it could be the angle but it looks bl**dy close on starboard bow

what this one

willk · 09 October 2010, 21:06

Yeah, that one. The pic where the hard boat is pushing her midships with it's bow...

Get some Perspective guys

badbaws · 10 October 2010, 08:32

Basically we are not goign to stop.. The whole idea that the cruiseliner is going to do something is in vain really when they have over 2000 people to look after versus a small boat who by common sense if you sit in front of big ship you are asking for trouble. I have had yachts tack 50m from the ship's side on the basis power gives way to sail, but in a narrow channel they got no chance!

raymillard · 10 October 2010, 09:10

Mmm, looks pretty close to me, but I'm very confused: lots of folks talking about 50m and 100m etc. What does "m" stand for? Do they mean "Yds"? Is it Eurospeak? I mean, how many kilometres are there in a pint?