Coasteering Instructor Swims For Help

martini · 31 August 2011, 08:40

Maritime and Coastguard Agency Press Office: COASTEERING INSTRUCTOR SWIMS FOR HELP AFTER GROUP GET CUT OFF BY TIDE

Discuss.

Erin · 31 August 2011, 08:58

I'll start ya.

Were their lives in danger?

akirk · 31 August 2011, 09:03

Quote:

where they were met by the Coastguard Rescue Team and given safety advice.

mmm - one can just imagine...

Alasdair

Mollers · 31 August 2011, 09:18

A VHF and a mobile in a drysac wouldn't have gone a miss. Swimming for it does appear rather 'last year'.

willk · 31 August 2011, 09:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erin

Were their lives in danger?

Certainly, if Hypothermia is considered a danger. When things got colder, they would have done something stupid - climbing or whatever.

Instructor - hmmm. Hopefully the "Instructor" will be sued. I'd have thought that tides would be a major part of coasteering planning/risk management. It should be easy to get a favourable verdict.

If it was an amateur organisation, I'm afraid that I have just as little sympathy. Well meaning incompentance kills just as quickly as the paid sort.

martini · 31 August 2011, 09:35

It's not known wether they would have run out of beach at hw or not but they must've been pretty cold and miserable by the time they got picked up at 8.30pm

We have the technology to deal with these situations if not prevent them, people just aren't using it.

A friend of mine went for a wreck dive at the weekend which somehow turned into a drift dive

SAR Helo etc, the full monty. Few quid on a PLB would've been money well spent

Channel Ribs · 31 August 2011, 09:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

A VHF and a mobile in a drysac wouldn't have gone a miss.

Interesting to see the CG advising coast walkers to carry a VHF, I was not aware of that view before now.

Not that I am in any way suggesting that carrying a VHF when doing stuff like that is a bad idea, just that it is the first time I have seen it recommended.

Will this spawn a new coastal activities radio course perhaps? AFAIK the RYA are the only organisation in the UK who can issue a leisure SRC?

Swansea Coastguard Watch Manager Will Parfait said:

“Anyone heading out onto the coast, especially those involved in an activity such as coasteering where there are associated dangers, should always carry with them a means of raising the alarm, whether it be a mobile phone, VHF radio, or handheld flares."

Starovich · 31 August 2011, 09:42

I know where to got good deals on Tide Calendars - much cheaper than a vhf

Channel Ribs · 31 August 2011, 09:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by martini

Few quid on a PLB would've been money well spent

Send 'em a link.

m chappelow · 31 August 2011, 09:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Channel Ribs

Interesting to see the CG advising coast walkers to carry a VHF, I was not aware of that view before now.

Not that I am in any way suggesting that carrying a VHF when doing stuff like that is a bad idea, just that it is the first time I have seen it recommended.

Will this spawn a new coastal activities radio course perhaps? AFAIK the RYA are the only organisation in the UK who can issue a leisure SRC?

Good point ,i was in the understanding that using a marine v.h.f. on land was taken with a dim view .

Poly · 31 August 2011, 10:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Channel Ribs

Interesting to see the CG advising coast walkers to carry a VHF, I was not aware of that view before now.

Not that I am in any way suggesting that carrying a VHF when doing stuff like that is a bad idea, just that it is the first time I have seen it recommended.

Will this spawn a new coastal activities radio course perhaps? AFAIK the RYA are the only organisation in the UK who can issue a leisure SRC?

Swansea Coastguard Watch Manager Will Parfait said:

“Anyone heading out onto the coast, especially those involved in an activity such as coasteering where there are associated dangers, should always carry with them a means of raising the alarm, whether it be a mobile phone, VHF radio, or handheld flares."

Coasteering is not the same as walking. I think of it more like Gorge walking in the sea. It usually involves scrambling, climbing and getting wet. Normal kit would include a bouyancy aid, a wetsuit and a climbing or canoe type helmet.

Given the risk that someone falls/slips and hurts themselves (say a broken ankle) I'd have thought means of calling for help was an obvious part of the instructors kit, along with a basic first aid kit etc.

Sea Kayakers are encouraged to take a VHF but aren't a sport which is "managed" by the RYA.

willk · 31 August 2011, 10:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by m chappelow

Good point ,i was in the understanding that using a marine v.h.f. on land was taken with a dim view .

When the tide comes in, it's Marine!

Poly · 31 August 2011, 10:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

When the tide comes in, it's Marine!

I think using one on land in a "distress situation" is very unlikely to get you in any bother.

Channel Ribs · 31 August 2011, 10:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

I think using one on land in a "distress situation" is very unlikely to get you in any bother.

I can think of examples where a boaty has called in a mayday relay from home and been praised for being able to liaise directly with LB crews as they arrive on scene. But it is still a first, for me, to see the Coasties promoting the use of marine VHF for marginal activities.

A good thing I would say, just to be clear. And so I wonder if there ought to be an organisation that can promote and provide a suitable SRC course, including sea kayakers as you point out.