Yacht collision off Cowes

[Keith Tindell]

The court case of the yacht that passed in front of a super tanker off Cowes, in Cowes week racing,and was dismasted( i am Sure everyone saw this incident on TV) has just been found guilty in a court of law. The thing that absolutely stunned me, was the skipper is a RN officer, and the yacht was one of the RN sailing assoc. Thank Christ he wasn`t in charge of a war ship !!! KT

[Captain Kong]

Be thankful he wasnt in charge of the Tanker.
On first day of Cowes Week 1976, I was on Watch while we were inward bound for Fawley on the ESSO NORTHUMBRIA, 260,000 DWT. We were Clear Channel, Pilot on board, the Harbour Masters launch ahead of us, strobe light flashing, loudhaler shouting for the yachties to get away. Passing Mother Bank to Egypt point then the Thorn Channel..
Broadcasts on VHF by Southampton VTS for all vessels to give us Clear Channel.
We couldnt see water for canvas, and they came at us from all directions. They were crashing into us from all sides,. unbelievable. people in the water, masts falling down , boats in sinking conditions.
They were screaming abuse at us. I nearly fell over the wing of the bridge laughing at the stupidity of them.
They spend multi thousands of pounds on fancy yachts then try to bounce off the side of a massive tanker. They were like Kamikaze Pilots.
Those people should not even have a plastic boat in the bath tub.
I think I have put this on before. but I have had a lot of experience with those yachties who think they have right of way before a Big tanker..
Cheers
Brian.

[Chris Allman]

What has happened to him do you know Keith.

[Keith Tindell]

Hi Chris, Yes , he has pleaded not guilty would you believe, after the whole world watched what happened on TV. The trial is adjourned until October. The tanker that he crashed into was 830 ft long, perhaps he will plead he didnt see it!!!!! KT My mistake, i thought he was found guilty, but he certainly will be

[Chris Allman]

Thanks Keith, love to hear his defence.

[robpage]

Well that is bally obvious the bally tanker idiot was not on my bally chart

[Ivan Cloherty]

Like Kong had occasions with these so called sailors, receiving abuse because we didn't (and couldn't) give way to them their favourite shout 'sail has precedence over steam you know' anyway we solved the bumping into us problem by rigging high pressure hoses over the port and starboard bows and again at the well deck as we steamed up the Solent seemed they were not too keen on getting wet for some reason, worked a treat.

[j.sabourn]

Have said before have sailed with RN personnel for over 3 years. They have their usual good, bad and indifferent navigators the same as other walks of life. I found that the way the Navy works is totally different to the MN. The Petty Officers seem to run everything even to watckeeping duties and were very reliable. Seemed to be aware of what was going on as against the commissioned officers. However this is my view only by my own observations. This issuing of certificates of service to commissioned officers, I completely fail to understand, as they usually have no idea of the workings of a cargo vessel re stowage of various cargos etc. and other associated subjects. I have sailed with such people and would not comment on their ability re. the merchant service. They may be top notch in their own specialized sphere whatever that is but mostly lacking in general merchant navy duties. I am referring of course to the commissioned ranks and not the seamen who would mostly fit in anywhere. Cheers John Sabourn

[happy daze john in oz]

Well that is bally obvious the bally tanker idiot was not on my bally chart

Should have gone to Specsavers.

[Captain Kong]

I was on watch on a tanker in the Firth of Forth, waiting for a berth in Grangemouth,
A nice sunny day, I noticed a Mine sweeper just leaving the Navy Base at Rosyth,
I watched it as it approached on my Starboard side and it was heading directly at me.
In the binnoculars I could see several people in the wheelhouse. He was still on a collision course with me.
I decided it was time to call him before he hit me and caused a huge explosion, 15,000 tons of octanes on board.
I asked his intentions. He replied, "Dont you know the Rules? I am on your Starboard side now get out of my way.". I explained to him that did he not see the large Anchor Ball and that I was a vessel at anchor. ?.
I heard the words "Oh ****". He went hard a starboard and skidded round on one bilge keel. Another coat of Paint he would have hit us.
I could see adozen faces in a tiny wheelhouse. with their mouths open.
I called up the QUEENS HARBOURMASTER and reported the incident, He said he had observed the incident and would have him when he returned.
As I always told the Cadets, `Never trust anyone outside the wheelhouse windows.
Cheers
Brian