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sean
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Northern_Lad
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Green Man
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dougal
Joined: 15 Jan 2005
Posts: 7184
Location: South Kent
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 Posted: Fri Nov 09, 07 4:01 pm Post subject: |
 
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I believe that as per the previous discussion, a vhf radio can be bought and licensed without the operator necessarily being licensed. It may then be used for distress calls by an unlicensed operator.
I'd suggest that it should be emphasised that one should never consider putting to sea in a small craft without having checked the latest weather forecast - and you'd probably check the tide table before leaving home! Is the wind going to be blowing offshore or onshore? How are conditions expected to change?
If you are relying on a mobile phone for communication, *do* check that its fully charged, and carried in a waterproof pouch of some sort...
Remember that when you call 999, you can ask for the Coastguard...
My personal opinion is that a chart of the waters you might use is a pre-requisite, so that you can be aware of restricted areas, foul anchorages, water depths (remember the tide), tidal streams, landmarks and buoys etc
Taking the chart with you (and a sighting compass) allows you to navigate and have a decent idea of your position... a cheap hiker's waterproof GPS is a nice addition, not a substitute.
And that its never a mistake to have warm and waterproof clothing with you in the boat. Similarly some drinking water and high calorie food (like the hikers' Kendal Mint Cake)... But don't forget the sunscreen, the reflection from the water means you can sunburn twice as quickly!
A radar reflector (of some sort) is one important piece of safety kit. Its particularly important if there are large vessels using your stretch of water. I'm prejudiced being here in the Straights of Dover where there is a *lot* of traffic. In a small boat, you are much more visible to radar than to the eye -- IF you have a radar reflector!
Test your backup propulsion! If its a pair of oars, try rowing your boat (especially against a breeze) so that you have a realistic appreciation of the backup capability...
The anchor, and its line. You need much more line than the depth of water! A common suggestion is that the scope of an anchor should ideally be 10. So to anchor in 5m of water depth, you should pay out 50m of anchor chain/line... The anchor will only hold against a near *horizontal* pull.
Hence its kinda important that you know how much line you have, AND how deep the water is (chart + tide).
A 'sea anchor' might be useful to restrict drift and keep the boat most comfortably aligned while fishing - quite apart from its safety aspect!
Rules of the road, regulations and consideration for others. There are standard rules of precedence, but they may be over-ridden by local regulations - which may apart from anything else limit speeds in harbour or close to shore. You ought to learn something of the general sea rules and you *must* discover what local rules (and signals) apply - For example:
| Quote: |
Dover Harbour.
139. The following signals for regulating the traffic into and out of the Admiralty and Commercial Harbours, Dover, through the Western Entrance, are shown from the Harbour Board Flagstaff which is situated on the Admiralty Pier Extension, at a distance of 400 feet within its outer end:-
2. By Day. - Three Red Balls, in the form of a triangle, will indicate that a vessel is leaving the Harbour or that the entrance is obstructed. No other vessel is to approach so as to obstruct the entrance whilst this signal is shown.
3. Two Red Balls, vertical, will indicate that a vessel is approaching the entrance from seaward, and no vessel is to leave the Harbour.
4. Three Red Balls, vertical, will indicate that the entrance is closed, and vessels cannot enter or leave. ... |
One of the aspects of consideration is to avoid bothering/damaging/endangering others with the wash from your craft...
The sea can be a wonderful, open, private place - BUT it is terribly, terribly unforgiving. Play safely! |
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crofter
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Noodles
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Northern_Lad
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mark
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happytechie
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RichardW
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Jonnyboy
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RichardW
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Jonnyboy
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RichardW
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Jonnyboy
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