As EVER I tend to agree with most aspects shared regarding the issues debated---.
What IS VERY IMPORTANT (IMHO) is we are discussing, and self assessing, and that is Fantastic MUCH better than comparing paint finishes or not reading and writing on the forum.
It is (indeed) a shame a craft was recently lost,
BUT----- out of adversity - we improve.I owned a boat in Spain (uneventfully for the first 6 years) - learnt little. (perhaps I knew it all or there was little to actually learn?)
Only go out when perfect conditions--- what can POSSIBLY GO WRONG-----!
ON VERY NO----
"Sea state 2-3" turned into 567---->8 and gradually I was "trying not to die"
Did nothing wrong, it was ALL unavoidable- I was after all only 12 miles away from my base.
AFTERWARDS-- I wrote 40 things down, that I had learnt under extreme distress.
IE I learnt masses from adversity, and potentially fatal circumstances
SOME PEOPLE --- learn VERY slowly listening to others, (CERTAINLY- if THEY don't hear/dont agree)
BEING part of the recovery team, certainly concentrates ones experience and then its good to pass on.
It won't be long before I am again confronted with craft that is perhaps "not fit for purpose".
The Medway HCGB 50 year anniversary two years ago was run under the "strict" HCGB regs" in that ALL craft HAD to float (for about 10 timed mins i think). Kingfisher (with perhaps tons of positive buoyancy) was NOT exempted from this.
Whilst I PERSONALLY believe that the strictness of HCGB regs could be "perhaps OTT" ------ THEY are certainly NOT WRONG.
MY view harping back to my thread reply No14 ( end of---
From now on I believe the MINIMUM REQUIREMENT to go croozin guys ---- is-----HERE WE GO------------
PROVE IT FLOATS (FULL UP) 10 MINS AND RESTART---- OR STAY ASHORE IN THIS WAY WE HAVE LEARNT, and improved safety, and decreased "load/danger to- an attending helping hovercraft"!
My reply 14 perhaps suggests correctly that the above is ESSENTIAL and NO-ONE can take issue?
THIS (at a stroke) safeguards the broken down craft/owner AND the attending "saving" hovercraft and ITS owner
YOUR Cruising pals will be more happy to help WHEN help will be needed for some reason (WHILST you float safety and don't endanger them.)
RULE No 1 of life saving is "YOU Don't let THEM drag YOU under".
ANY one who refuses is unlikely to even attend / go out / expect recovery?
Perhaps this could be "self assessed" at the start of the event? thus releasing us from possible liability in law?
Conversely----- WHY NOT DO THIS?
??
Anyone who feels this is sev based bias or refuses------
1 Silly/wrong
2 Clearly hasn't found their drainage bung leaked and needed an "O" ring upgrade!
(like me)
3 They reserve the right to sink-------->?
PLEASE VOTE ON POLL.
Please note this is simply a way to gauge the membership preferences and or general views.
I believe the fine detail of how/if it can be "lawfully" implemented can be assessed later.