PB1 Accident.

Mollers · 05 September 2008, 17:21

A friend of mine sent his wife and 14yo son on a PB1 course with a local sailing school last week. He rang today to say that his son, wife, a 15yo boy and the instructor had been out in the school rib. The instructor let them all take the helm in turns, all went well until the 15yo had his turn. Apparently he gave it a load of helm, too much gas and hit his own wake. My friends wife was thrown over the side and his son over the rear quarter and into the prop. The prop ran totally along one side of his body taking a chunk out of his elbow and shoulder. He was in hospital for two days being patched up and is luckily ok apart from stitches and a cast on the elbow. His lawyers have been instucted.

C2 RIBS · 05 September 2008, 18:43

Does that not require MAIB to oversee an investigation? Hope he is Ok and is not put off boating.

Mollers · 05 September 2008, 18:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by C2 RIBS

Does that not require MAIB to oversee an investigation? Hope he is Ok and is not put off boating.

The irony is, this kid lives his life wrapped in cotton wool as he is an only child and Mum frets, hence Mum going on the course with him. He is OK but, I'm sure that his and her ribbing days will be over.

I'd imagine that MIAB will be involved.

Downhilldai · 06 September 2008, 00:21

Not 'Charlie'?

Mollers · 06 September 2008, 10:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Not 'Charlie'?

Yep.

Downhilldai · 06 September 2008, 19:57

Hope he remembers what they taught him about mooring techniques

Mollers · 06 September 2008, 21:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Hope he remembers what they taught him about mooring techniques

Yeah, your Dad yells lots of rude words at you when you get it wrong.

Downhilldai · 07 September 2008, 11:09

"CHARLIE Be a good chap and take hold of that rope, would you? Oh, you've dropped it - don't worry, that's ok"

Mollers · 07 September 2008, 11:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

"CHARLIE Be a good chap and take hold of that rope, would you? Oh, you've dropped it - don't worry, that's ok"

Nope, The Old Man managed to express himself in two words, 'YOU TW*T!!'.

Downhilldai · 07 September 2008, 12:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

Nope, The Old Man managed to express himself in two words, 'YOU TW*T!!'.

I thought he used three

paramaniac · 07 September 2008, 23:50

How do you stop a kid giving it too big a handfull then?
It takes a split second, by the time it's registered with the instructor surely it's too late?

Rogue Wave · 08 September 2008, 00:11

Make no mistake this is entirely the instructors fault!!

The whole point of being an instructor is to take this sort of risk out of the boating situation. You never rust anybody not to be reckless on a course until they have consistently proved to you that they are safe.,

Firstly the instructor holds the throttle until he is confident the pupil (any age) is capable of steering the boat to his instruction

Then instructor holds the shaft of the throttle until he/she is confident that the kid is going to respond accordingly. Your hand is never mre than a second away from the throttle The instructor should always be wearing the kill cord.

Also you nail the safety aspect home all the - all the -all the time, making sure your stoodents know they have to earn your trust. It's quite easy to do this with good humour which keeps things fun.

How old was the instructor, whatever age I imaginre they aged a few years overnight

Poly · 08 September 2008, 00:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by paramaniac

How do you stop a kid giving it too big a handfull then?
It takes a split second, by the time it's registered with the instructor surely it's too late?

I would suggest that some schools (I don't know if this one is does) also tend to use boats with engines at the top end of the power range (it markets well, is more fun for instructors playing, opens up range of charter work etc). You wouldn't (normally) teach someone to drive a car for the first time in sports car. Likelwise basic boat handling doesn't need a boat capable of doing 45 knots+. Presumably if you really wanted to you could fit some sort of "governer" which would prevent any over zealous pupil applying full power (and could be removed once they become more competent).

Mollers · 08 September 2008, 07:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

How old was the instructor, whatever age I imaginre they aged a few years overnight

23.

Mollers · 08 September 2008, 07:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

I would suggest that some schools (I don't know if this one is does) also tend to use boats with engines at the top end of the power range (it markets well, is more fun for instructors playing, opens up range of charter work etc). You wouldn't (normally) teach someone to drive a car for the first time in sports car. Likelwise basic boat handling doesn't need a boat capable of doing 45 knots+. Presumably if you really wanted to you could fit some sort of "governer" which would prevent any over zealous pupil applying full power (and could be removed once they become more competent).

From memory, I don't think the boat is very big. 4-4.5m with a 50hp.

brucehawsker · 09 September 2008, 00:05

Is it mandatory for PB instruction that the throttle is centre mounted so the instructor can safely keep a hand on it?

Downhilldai · 09 September 2008, 00:15

No

RichardB · 09 September 2008, 09:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

No

When we did our PB2 (admittedly on our own boat) the throttle was (and still is) set on the outside of the console. However, our instructor took up his position on the tube next to the pupil and always had his hand just a few inches from the throttle. It was clear to me that he had effective control at all times.

It certainly would not have been possible to do a complete donut at full throttle.

He didn't have the kill cord on and it did occur that if he went over the side... However, I could see why he got the pupil to wear it because he was continually impressing the importance of putting the cord on as an automatic activity for the helm.

Of course, 80% of the PB2 time was spent on slow speed manouvering and relatively little at high speed. That's what we needed at the time.

Downhilldai · 09 September 2008, 13:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardB

When we did our PB2 (admittedly on our own boat) the throttle was (and still is) set on the outside of the console. However, our instructor took up his position on the tube next to the pupil and always had his hand just a few inches from the throttle. It was clear to me that he had effective control at all times.

Where would the instructor have sat if you had a hard boat, instead of a RIB?

At this point, Jonny Fuller would (if he weren't banned) chip in to say that hard boats are safe and people only fall out of RIBs

Trailer Bloke · 09 September 2008, 15:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

At this point, Jonny Fuller would (if he weren't banned) chip in to say that hard boats are safe and people only fall out of RIBs

Mr Fuller would have a very good point, you just cant fall out of a hard boat

Im sure MAIB will come up with some interesting conclusions