|
|
22 May 2013, 16:51
|
#1
|
Member
Country: UK - England
Town: Royal Wootton Bassett
Length: 8m +
Engine: 250
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,041
|
Ribbing in a Flotilla
I thought I would start this thread to highlight a few good and bad practices when travelling in a group (a flotilla). This is not an exhaustive list of dos and don’ts so please comment on this thread and may be we can fine tune it and make a final version, a sticky in the cruise section. If someone wants to volunteer to do this it would be great as writing long documents isn’t my strongest point…
Preparation
You should be prepared for your trip - your boat and your equipment needs to be in a safe, working and reliable condition and carrying one-third extra fuel for your planned journey. Your skills and knowledge of the route must also be up to scratch and you must have the correct charts. Also make sure that your insurance is up to date. You need to think about food and drink as well as suntan lotion.
Briefings
You should brief your crew before you launch and again when you are all onboard, Lifejackets and killcords must be worn and you should have a spare killcord in the boat and your crew should know what to do if there is a problem. They should also know the VHF channel that you are using to communicate with the rest of the group as well as an explanation of channel 16 and how to use the mic. Make sure that your crew knows how to let you know if there is a problem or if they are uncomfortable, I always ask my crew to tap me on the shoulder if they need to communicate with me.
Meeting up
Meeting up in a group is exciting stuff! And when you're waiting for the off it can be ever so tempting to show off by going round and round in circles really fast or even pass the waiting group at speed! But don’t do this, instead be proud and show off your seamanship and your safety skills by acting responsibly.
Setting off
You may not realise it but your adrenaline will be pumping as the group sets off for the first time, but take it easy, it’s not a race. Make sure that you and your crew are ready and if there is a lot of wake from other boats then it’s all the more reason to take it steady.
On the plane
Keep your eyes on the crafts around you and how their wake is affecting what you are doing. Avoid unnecessary sharp movements and turns and if necessary signal your intention to the boats around you. Keep your distance from each other and keep your speed realistic to you and your crew’s ability and the weather conditions.
Slowing Down / Stopping
Make sure that you keep an eye on the boats in front and behind you and make sure the boat behind has seen your change of speed and have also responded by manoeuvring or slowing down themselves.
Communication with the Flotilla
Make sure that you know what channel the group is communicating on and that your VHF is working correctly, it’s also good practice to have the mobile phone numbers of others in your group incase you are not able to contact them by VHF. Use hand signals if appropriate and avoid trying to shout to other ribs at speed. Don’t be afraid of telling the group if you or a member of your crew is uncomfortable, there may be an adjustment the group can make to the speed or there maybe a seat available on a larger boat if one of your crew needs it.
Buddying up
Take some time out before the cruise to find others in the group so you can help each other out. Don’t be embarrassed to ask for advice from someone with more experience or local knowledge.
As I say it's not an exhaustive list but it's a start
__________________
|
|
|
22 May 2013, 17:14
|
#2
|
RIBnet supporter
Country: UK - England
Town: Dinard, Brittany
Boat name: Into the Red
Make: Osprey Vipermax
Length: 7m +
Engine: Evinrude E-tec 250HO
MMSI: 235 076 114
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,957
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by whisper
Meeting up
Meeting up in a group is exciting stuff! And when you're waiting for the off it is brilliant fun to show off by going round and round in circles really fast and running past the group at speed! Doing this reinforces your seamanship and safety credentials, helping to build the trust and respect of other skippers in the group. Acting responsibly is key: you are responsible for the others' enjoyment during the boring wait at the beginning. If one or more members of the group does not seem to approve, go a little faster and get a little closer to his boat. He is sure to join in the lauding of your boating skills which the others are guaranteed to already be doing.
|
|
|
|
22 May 2013, 17:33
|
#3
|
RIBnet supporter
Country: UK - England
Town: South Coast
Boat name: PLAYER 1
Make: Zodiac
Length: 7m +
Engine: OB/P/250
MMSI: 235090989
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 207
|
"Maverick: Tower, this is Ghost rider requesting a flyby.
Air Boss Johnson: That’s a negative Ghost rider, the pattern is full."
__________________
|
|
|
22 May 2013, 17:38
|
#4
|
RIBnet supporter
Country: UK - England
Town: South Coast
Boat name: PLAYER 1
Make: Zodiac
Length: 7m +
Engine: OB/P/250
MMSI: 235090989
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 207
|
And...
As you approach the flotilla at full speed broadcast on channel 08 "Too close for torpedoes, switching to guns..."
__________________
|
|
|
22 May 2013, 17:41
|
#5
|
Member
Country: UK - England
Town: Royal Wootton Bassett
Length: 8m +
Engine: 250
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,041
|
You forgot 'Sorry Goose, but it's time to buzz the tower'!
__________________
|
|
|
22 May 2013, 17:52
|
#6
|
RIBnet supporter
Country: UK - England
Town: South Coast
Boat name: PLAYER 1
Make: Zodiac
Length: 7m +
Engine: OB/P/250
MMSI: 235090989
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 207
|
...
"And if you screw up just this much, you’ll be crewing a cargo boat full of rubber dog sh*t out of Hong Kong!"
__________________
|
|
|
22 May 2013, 21:04
|
#7
|
Member
Country: Other
Town: Stanley, Falkland Is
Boat name: Seawolf
Make: Osprey Vipermax 5.8
Length: 5m +
Engine: Etec 150
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,726
|
This one has gone downhill remarkably quickly
__________________
A Boat is a hole in the water, surrounded by fibreglass, into which you throw money...
Sent from my Computer, using a keyboard and mouse
|
|
|
22 May 2013, 21:07
|
#8
|
Member
Country: UK - England
Town: Dorset & Hants
Boat name: Streaker/Orange
Make: Avon/Ribcraft
Length: 4m +
Engine: 50Yam/25 Mariner
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,551
|
I think as was said. .and I quote ...
"Oh what a nob"
As a certain rib nobber did a fly by. ....
__________________
|
|
|
22 May 2013, 21:17
|
#9
|
RIBnet Supporter
Country: Ireland
Length: 4m +
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 14,684
|
I have a particular dislike of other craft running close behind a boat I'm helming, i.e. in my inner wake calm vee. If I have an MOB, they'll almost certainly nail them.
Other than that, having established RV waypoints to do headcounts at is good, especially if cruising with larger groups. A boat can go AWOL very easily and if raised on the VHF can be told to proceed to the appropriate waypoint. Handy in poor weather.
__________________
|
|
|
22 May 2013, 21:34
|
#10
|
RIBnet supporter
Country: UK - England
Town: Dinard, Brittany
Boat name: Into the Red
Make: Osprey Vipermax
Length: 7m +
Engine: Evinrude E-tec 250HO
MMSI: 235 076 114
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,957
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by willk
I have a particular dislike of other craft running close behind a boat I'm helming, i.e. in my inner wake calm vee..
|
That's the best bit
|
|
|
22 May 2013, 21:48
|
#11
|
RIBnet Supporter
Country: Ireland
Length: 4m +
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 14,684
|
That's not quite what I meant. It's not great, but it's not as risky. I mean drivers who park themselves directly behind another boat on a bumpy day, to avail of the calmer water in the wake. So there they are - following a boat that's having it bumpy, they're about three seconds behind it, someone falls off the lead boat, the following craft tries to steer away....
It's a complete no-no on dusk and night passages
__________________
|
|
|
22 May 2013, 21:52
|
#12
|
Member
Country: UK - England
Town: Mighty Penryn
Boat name: Little Joe.
Make: Avon Searider
Length: 4m +
Engine: Honda BF50
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 8,872
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by willk
I have a particular dislike of other craft running close behind a boat I'm helming, i.e. in my inner wake calm vee. If I have an MOB, they'll almost certainly nail them.
|
It passes my mind, that if someone went in during one of these mass 'ride outs', they'd do well not to get minced.
__________________
|
|
|
22 May 2013, 21:55
|
#13
|
Member
Country: UK - England
Town: Gloucester
Boat name: Lunasea
Make: Ribcraft
Length: 5m +
Engine: Suzi 140
MMSI: 232005050
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,979
|
Good advice Whisper,
As as RIB cruise novice, it sounds eminently sensible.
I'd add one more thing - don't push yourself / boat to keep up, helm within your boat's - and your capabilities, don't feel pressured.
__________________
|
|
|
22 May 2013, 22:20
|
#14
|
Member
Country: UK - England
Town: Royal Wootton Bassett
Length: 8m +
Engine: 250
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,041
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by lakelandterrier
Good advice Whisper,
As as RIB cruise novice, it sounds eminently sensible.
I'd add one more thing - don't push yourself / boat to keep up, helm within your boat's - and your capabilities, don't feel pressured.
|
Thanks, I've had a couple of PMs to say the same
__________________
|
|
|
22 May 2013, 22:26
|
#15
|
RIBnet admin team
Country: UK - Scotland
Boat name: imposter
Make: FunYak
Length: 3m +
Engine: Tohatsu 30HP
MMSI: 235089819
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,622
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by willk
i have a particular dislike of other craft running close behind a boat i'm helming, i.e. In my inner wake calm vee. If i have an mob dd gets p**d off and chucks me over the side, they'll almost certainly nail themme.
|
ftfy!
__________________
|
|
|
22 May 2013, 22:30
|
#16
|
RIBnet supporter
Country: UK - England
Town: Warwickshire
Boat name: Impulse
Make: Ribcraft
Length: 5m +
Engine: Suzuki 140
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,020
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by PeterM
I think as was said. .and I quote ...
"Oh what a nob"
As a certain rib nobber did a fly by. ....
|
The moment I read Whispers first post I did wonder how long I would stay out of the thread.. you nobber!
__________________
|
|
|
22 May 2013, 22:53
|
#17
|
Member
Country: UK - England
Town: Royal Wootton Bassett
Length: 8m +
Engine: 250
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,041
|
I forgot to mention about headstands
__________________
|
|
|
22 May 2013, 22:57
|
#18
|
Member
Country: UK - England
Town: Royal Wootton Bassett
Length: 8m +
Engine: 250
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,041
|
Do you lot think I've been too harsh in ruling out shenanigans ?
__________________
|
|
|
23 May 2013, 06:59
|
#19
|
Member
Country: UK - England
Town: Mighty Penryn
Boat name: Little Joe.
Make: Avon Searider
Length: 4m +
Engine: Honda BF50
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 8,872
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by whisper
Do you lot think I've been too harsh in ruling out shenanigans ?
|
No.
I'd take it further and ban all the Irish.
__________________
|
|
|
23 May 2013, 07:05
|
#20
|
RIBnet supporter
Country: UK - England
Town: Rutland
Length: no boat
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 2,500
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mollers
No.
I'd take it further and ban all the Irish.
|
Thanks pal
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|