Boating season begins, be safe chaps

[maser_spyder]

Two stories in the local rag today.

This one must have been terrifying for everybody involved, what a relief for a safe outcome. Two hours lost in the middle of the pacific must have been horrendous.

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/11118446.Man_throw...

And don't forget to check your gas pipes.....

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/11117235.UPDATE__N...

So chaps, check your VHF battery is good, service your lifejackets and check your flares are in date before going anywhere near the water. And for pity's sake, use your kill cord.

[Boatbuoy]

I could see the fire from my office, the gas bottle (I assume) resulted in quite a BOOM and an impressive mushroom cloud!

[the_lone_wolf]

Was working last Sunday listening to the Solent VHF online in the office

Absolute madness, had one yacht broadcasting an open mic for over an hour taking out VTS, numerous radio checks including the best:

"Solent Coastguard, SC, SC, this is yacht dhead, radio check, out"

He then proceeded to end every transmission with "out"

No surprise so many people get hurt given the average person out there hasn't got the first clue...

[Simpo Two]

Better than 'over and out' though...

[the_lone_wolf]

Simpo Two said:

Better than 'over and out' though...

Only just...

[Simpo Two]

Not wishing to detract from the gravity of the opening post but you could conceivably have two boats called Broadsword and Danny Boy... when the harbourmaster comes over to administer a verbal drubbing you just point to the names...

(Or Ajax and Achilles, the list is endless)

[Boatbuoy]

Beer fine.

[R1nur]

Don't you need a licence for a maritime VHF radio?

[maser_spyder]

R1nur said:

Don't you need a licence for a maritime VHF radio?

One day and about £100.

Or be standing next to somebody else who does have a license.

[MOTORVATOR]

maser_spyder said:

R1nur said:

Don't you need a licence for a maritime VHF radio?

One day and about £100.

Or be standing next to somebody else who does have a license.

Or not at all if transmitting on 16 for what it was designed for. Safety trumps Licence.

[the_lone_wolf]

maser_spyder said:

R1nur said:

Don't you need a licence for a maritime VHF radio?

One day and about £100.

Which makes it all the more saddening, so much money spent on something and no interest in actually learning to use it...

[mrloudly]

I came to boating (Sadly out of it at the moment) from light aviation.

Got to be honest, some of the stuff I saw terrified me after the "flying world"...

I couldn't believe the drinking (Proper stuff not the odd one) followed by a clearly pissed skipper helming a boat. Cowes Week firework display was a classic!
Was absolutely shocked at some of the stuff I saw coming back over the Solent....

Just watch how many boat's crews set sail without life preservers... Things can go wrong real quick!!! How many yacht owners are happy their wives/husbands know what to do,
and how to get them back on-board, should things go wrong? Mine did! and it was practiced with "Buoys overboard" on a regular basis!

People need to realise they're operating in a dangerous environment!

As the first poster said "Be careful'!!

[hyperblue]

Boating season begins? Pffft, soft, the lot of you!

[Fishtigua]

Fire!

Scares the crap out of me on a boat.

We had one on a boat the other day. Two young mechanics went to look at a boat running old Volvo 151 2.5ltr 4 pot bangers. They stopped making these petrols back in 1989. They have accelerator pumps on the Holley carbs and drink a lot of fuel.

These ones didn't want to run, so one lad turned the motor over as the other one looked down the carb to check the fueling. That's when the backfire happened.

BANG...petrol shot out of the top of the carb, lots of it, and ignited. It hit the mechanic, splattered the wiring loom as well. The loom burnt through and shorted, blowing the battery apart.

Luckily no one was badly hurt but the old boat is pretty shagged.

Check that all your fire kit is up to date please.