What The!!!!

Single handed sailing around the world? Fine if they are going to be awake, alert and keeping a look-out 100% of the time, otherwise how are they going to keep a lookout?

A few years back I got abuse from a solo yachtsman when I spot-lighted him, he was about to enter a bouy pattern at an offshore installation, he had not replied to the radio calls, even complained that I was disturbing his sleep, now who would have got the abuse if I'd left him alone and he had collided with one of the many buoys, jackets or barges in the field?

Also - I often think that some yachties think that power has to give way to sail all of the time, just remember overtaking vessels have to keep clear until well past, a tug and tow mid ocean might be making 4knots, lots of yachts go quicker than that.

 

You would buddy if YOU were the 'Standby vessel' and not only from the yotty! the toolpusher would have been mighty pissed! Yonder yotty is lucky he woke when he did! I've heard 'toolpushers' suggest a bit of ramming and pushing to shift the bugger! That would have really caused fun (and a death!)

Unfortunately the yotty (not all of them, some are bloody good and know what they're doing) doesn't realise the situation half of the time and thinks he has 'devine rights' cos he's only 'doing it for pleasure'!

 

No drilling at the time, but as we had divers down, if he'd gotten too close we would have had to nudge him if we'd had no response, better a bent boat than bent or dead divers.

Have to agree that there are some bloody good ones out there but unfortunately we only seem to focus on the bad ones, as the good ones never seem to cause grief. Mind you there are some shocking guys on the commercial side.

 

Trouble is a 'nudge' could end up with a dead yotty if he rolls and gets trapped! Helluva situation for anybody to be in!

and yeah in this modern high speed world there's some real muppets wherever you go! don't help!

There but for the grace of God (and a few years!) go I -you have my sypathies, for what it's worth!

 

Maybe wheel washing the guy would be a better bet?(though gently)

 

Yeah that'd put some interest in his life! As long as you had the time - in this case you were the guy on the spot and did the right thing! Power to you!

 

What the !!!!

Quite right too seadogs20. But why stop there, let's ban all those ******* adventurous spirits, rockclimbers, mountaineers, Arctic/Antarctic explorers, astronauts, cosmonauts...all those crazy buggers who won't confine themselves to a sedentary life of couch-potato-ing. Dammit why can't they be mild mannered sheep like you appear to be, unwilling to peep over the farm wall in case there's something worth discovering in themselves and in the world. Let's legislate so they too restrict themselves to an eternal diet of TV soapies, tabloid journalism, and nanny knows best administration. How dare they try and grow wings...

 

And ban anybody who drinks whisky, when it's a well known fact that only the sane drink whiskey!

 

What the !!!!

This calamuny is of course based on the fact (rpt FACT) that at one time the Cornish attempted to make 'whisky' and failed miserably. They are now better known for their (also failed) attempt to make a meat pie - which because of their inabilty to spell correctly, they spelled 'pastie.

 

Bergalia: What I was saying is that it's bloody dangerous for solo yachtsmen to be out there.Not just for them,but on the poor b#$@%^d who ends up hitting them.You can be an explorer,astronaut or whatever, all the power to them, they are risking there lives to achieve what ever it is they wish to achieve...A lone yachtsmen is potentially risking his life just like a explorer...difference being his risking mine as well

 

What the !!!!

Seadogs20, as I understand it, you became aware of the 'solo sailor' heading on a collision course. Regardless of rights or wrongs, you were aware of his/her error - and therefore you had the chance and duty to avoid any possible collision. That you believe the ídiot' put you in danger would only be exacerbated by your acting in an equally idiotic fashion by failing to give way, or take avoiding action. While out driving if someone steps off the kerb into your path do you insist on the right as a driver to use the highway and run them down ? Of course not. You avoid them and probably curse them. But you don't thumb through your Highway Code to check who had right of way, or what regulation they've broken, or call for all pedestrians to be banned.
It is when both parties 'stick to their rights' that accidents happen. Australian roads are littered with wayside 'crosses' of those who insisted on exercising their 'rights' regardless of the consequences.

 

Bergalia: If I hadnt given way, we would be talking about a collision,not a near miss....There was no way that I would have hit him...we were on watch ..unlike the lone yachty..Now what would have been the result if we had been a container ship?

 

What the !!!!

Sure, seadogs20, I understand this, What I am questioning is your suggestion that solo sailors should be banned.
As you are well aware the roads here in Australia are among the most hazardous in the 'western' world. Like the situation at sea - there are always people out there who shouldn't be. It's up to us who are experienced, for our own survival as well as theirs, to ensure that we drive/sail with extra caution to allow for their foolishness. I always 'drive' the car in front of me', and sail the craft on my horizon.

 

Exactly, Bergalia,we take the precautions...whether it be slowing down on the road passing schools,zebra crossings etc, or having someone on watch..to not do so is foolhardy to say the least.

 

Wonder if your wife banned u sir from goin solo to dark and unknown alley in Amsterdam Red light district? lol......