Helicopter Rescue Today

[fjarvis]

Caught some VHF traffic this afternoon (I think around 1630) between Clyde CG and Rescue 177 (the SAR helicopter from Prestwick) - I didn't catch what the nature of the rescue was but it mentioned that 'Yacht Shard' was shortly to be on scene to give a report?? Anybody know what was going on?

[Telo]

Very, very unfortunate. After making our earlier post (the Sailing this weekend? thread), we were tacking east, in a northerly F4, across Loch Linnhe to the north side of Shuna (the one north of Lismore) when we heard that a flare had been spotted somewhere north of Lismore. We could a see a small yacht badly listing about a mile SE. As we approached, we could see that she was on the still submerged reef northeast of Eilean Glas at N56 34.5, W005 25.1. We radioed the position and Clyde CG confirmed that Oban lifeboat was on its way, which we relayed by shouting to the stranded vessel. The lifeboat later picked up the two persons on board and made an effort to dislodge the yacht but without success - the tide was still falling. We left the scene at that point, but suppose that the boat was left there and that an effort to refloat her would be made later this evening.

Very sad indeed; she appeared to be a rather fine looking traditionally styled wooden hulled vessel of just under 8m. As we left the wind was getting up to the top end of a NE 5, and I guess that she may have taken quite a pounding over the next few hours. I believe that the two persons were unhurt, and very much hope that it has been possible to recover their yacht. There are several charted reefs in that area, and judging their distances off the islets can be tricky. We were not aware of any helicopter involvement.

We heard later that another boat had run aground at the entrance to Dunstaffnage. It's very reassuring knowing that the coastguard is on watch and that we have an outstanding lifeboat service in RNLI, but these little incidents must be hugely distressing for those involved, and serve as a reminder as to how easy one can come to grief even in relatively benign conditions.

[Telo]

From the Oban lifeboat website, it seems that the yacht was was successfully refloated at 1740, about ten minutes after we left the scene. At that point a couple of the lifeboatmen were in the water standing on the rock trying to dislodge her. I think the "fire" may have been a mishearing of the the word "flare" from an earlier report.

That she was able to make her way to Oban under her own power suggests limited damage. A good outcome, and congratulations to the coastguard and Oban lifeboat for prompt action. I hope the couple on board are fully recovered from the distress.

[stevepick]

Well done shard, we heard some of your "standing by" chat (we were south of Eilean Dubh watching the lifeboat hove into view), and I would assume it was extremely comforting to have someone calmly standing by in that situation. Having been in exactly the same situation in the same place I know that just having someone nearby is a real benefit (in our case they they humourosly offered to throw us a cup of tea and generally cheered us up). The crew of the Oban lifeboat were superb to us in our embarrasment . Although well charted and there is a leading line on the folio set of charts, it is a simple mistake to mistake the islands and reefs off the north tip of lismore and go aground there, it happens about a dozen or so times a year apparently ( from chatting to dunstaffnage an linnhie marine) maybe the nice folk at the quarry could put another perch there ?

The boat stuck in dunstaffnage were just unforunatlely stuck in the muddy channel leaving the marina NE towards connel, again proabably embarrasing, but the nice thing to see ( there is often a lot of anti mobo stuff goes on on fora) was every single mobo who passed by went over to offer assistance ( we couldn't have got close and our tender was packed away).

Steve

[fjarvis]

Sounds like all was well in the end and good work for helping out! And I agree completely about the great work that the Coastguard and the RNLI do.

[puddock]

If it's the submerged rocks that I am thinking of, I too almost came to grief there. Caroline was at the tiller while I nipped down to put the kettle on. As I popped my head up again, I noticed the Depth dropping - 12, 8 5, ... at the point it dropped to 3, I promptly gave the tiller a shove. The least depth I saw was 2.5, whereafter it quickly rose again. The results could have been pretty nasty at about 5 1/2 knots. (We were heading up to pass West of Shuna, after passing between Lismore and Eilean nan Caorach).
The cause wasn't that I hadn't known they were there but "cutting things a little tight". Mrs P was firmly reprimanded for not paying attention to the depth, despite being advised about the proximity of the hazard - at which point, I think she said "shut up and make the coffee, will you".

[Nick]

The cause wasn't that I hadn't known they were there but "cutting things a little tight". Mrs P was firmly reprimanded for not paying attention to the depth, despite being advised about the proximity of the hazard - at which point, I think she said "shut up and make the coffee, will you".

Can't recommend a decent chartplotter too highly for avoiding this sort of situation.

A classic example is tacking down Insh Sound (between Seil and the island offshore). There are some nasty rocks off the North end of Insch where more than one yacht has come to grief, and it is all too easy to get too close. Since we got the plotter it's not a worry.

[puddock]

The cause wasn't that I hadn't known they were there but "cutting things a little tight". Mrs P was firmly reprimanded for not paying attention to the depth, despite being advised about the proximity of the hazard - at which point, I think she said "shut up and make the coffee, will you".

Can't recommend a decent chartplotter too highly for avoiding this sort of situation.

A classic example is tacking down Insh Sound (between Seil and the island offshore). There are some nasty rocks off the North end of Insch where more than one yacht has come to grief, and it is all too easy to get too close. Since we got the plotter it's not a worry.

I appreciate the convenience of taking the plotter route, however, I made a conscious decision not to get one when I purchased Rosally. The reasoning behind that was to get a few years hands on chart work under my belt first - not that that would have helped me while I was perched on the rocks, though I could have passed the time taking fixes to work out what I had just hit !

Seriously though, I find the idea of a plotter to be heaven but as I was converting from OS Maps (non sailing background) and Mrs P had minimal experience with OS maps even, I thought it best to 'learn the trade' first.
In defence of traditional chartwork, isn't it amazing how much detail there is when you start 'looking' for something; identifying a small tower that you have just taken a bearing off of etc Things that you would most likely, not have noticed previously.

Incidently, Four Bells would seem to have travelled quite a bit before the mishap - he was mentioned in Nathans Blog (http://www.onkudu.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;), the young lad who was trying to circumnavigate the UK, who's videos are pretty entertaining stuff.

[Nick]

I appreciate the convenience of taking the plotter route, however, I made a conscious decision not to get one when I purchased Rosally. The reasoning behind that was to get a few years hands on chart work under my belt first - not that that would have helped me while I was perched on the rocks, though I could have passed the time taking fixes to work out what I had just hit !

You are of course quite right. Fortunately I have the luxury of many years traditional chartwork under my belt and man, it's great to relax a wee bittie now.

[Aja]

Then, of course, there are others that ask why bother with charts at all. GPS and plotters are so reliable now that people whiz all over the place on land and sea being pointed in the right direction by the great Gods TomTom and Gar-Min.
Donald

[sahona]

Friend of mine has a "nag-nag" in the van.
Honest, it's electronic. not the wife!
All it does is whinge about non-existant directions, totally useless.
It's amazing how these guys think of oddball money-makers to bring to market.

[Telo]

Friend of mine has a "nag-nag" in the van......... All it does is whinge about non-existant directions, totally useless.

I hope Mme S does not see this. She says that I am not a very good passenger.

Just going back to the original incident, while it was very gratifying to be thanked by the Oban lifeboat website, the real thanks should go to yacht Brise who, I believe, first noticed the flare and contacted the Coastguard. Without their call I do not believe that we would have spotted the boat on the rocks.

Our only role was to give a more precise position once we got close, and to stand by.

At the time, and afterwards, I wonder whether we could or should have done more to try and help the yacht off the rocks. In theory, we could have floated downwind a fender attached to a long line and made an effort to pull her off. However, we knew that Oban lifeboat was on her way, and, up to that point, we'd had no radio contact with the vessel. They came on the radio later on, but shouting across in the wind was not very effective at the time.

[puddock]

[quoteOur only role was to give a more precise position once we got close, and to stand by.

At the time, and afterwards, I wonder whether we could or should have done more to try and help the yacht off the rocks. In theory, we could have floated downwind a fender attached to a long line and made an effort to pull her off. However, we knew that Oban lifeboat was on her way, and, up to that point, we'd had no radio contact with the vessel. They came on the radio later on, but shouting across in the wind was not very effective at the time.[/quote]

Personally I'd say you did just the right thing. You stood by in case you were needed and should the situation 'develope'. You were also, I would imagine, a comforting sight for Four Bells, who would realise that if things did get worse there was someone there to assist their abandonment etc.
Attempting to tow Four Bells off could have made things much worse. Fortunately it didn't.

I personally think you did the right thing, a view I am sure, other forumites will agree with.

PS Just had a message from Nathan (http://www.onkudu.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) who contacted Chris on Four Bells. Apparently Four Bells has checked out OK and is headed for Crinan today (Tuesday 15th) to continue her journey. So, all is well that ends well.

[cpedw]

Special mention should go to Mme Shard for her calm and eloquent handling of the radio communications with Clyde CG who at times seemed to me to reach for the wrong end of the stick whenever it was less than a light year away.
Glad to hear the boat and crew escaped unscathed.
I was puzzled that they chose to fire a flare and didn't use the VHF until much later in the proceedings; was the VHF not working initially?
Derek

[ParaHandy]

Special mention should go to Mme Shard for her calm and eloquent handling of the radio communications with Clyde CG

Our understanding is that CalMac will not proceed out of Oban before engaging Mme S in felicitations and seeking her permission to do so ... especially when the weather's inclement.