radar speed traps in chichester and portsmouth areas

[Hugh Jardon]

while getting ready to go out today the nice friendly harbourmasters went out to their boat which was next to mine, they were equipped with radar for speed traps and also digital cameras. I overheard them talking about it paying for itself quite quickly.

so watch out on those long drags thru portsmouth and chichester harbours, they do indeed have radar speed guns!!

[Mark Halliday]

Yup.

They have had speed guns in Chicheter for a number of years.
You get a sort of sixth sense for black Ribtecs with Hondas on the back.
Watch out through the moorings. They hide behind moored boats and clock your speed.
Don't try to out run them as, I think, there are 6 ribs and 2 launches and they will "head you off at the pass".

[Andy]

They have many different boats ....

[Phil Chitty]

For those of you coming to Littlehampton at the end of the month be careful on the River Arun too.
There are notices in the local papers on a regular basis informing of another boater having been fined for speeding.

[mdt]

So what is the state of play

1: they zap you doing 2 knots over the limit
2: take your photo
3: chase after you at full whack (complete with masses of wake)
4: catch you and then what?? Ask for cash or do they take visa

Can you argue the toss that you don’t have GPS. Taking the wife to the maternity ward etc

[Scotty]

Imagine them trying that here in Ireland ! Coastguard have no teeth here and our local harbourmaster is only now learning his own powers. Above all they have no power to request your name etc unless there is a copper with them...... ... The land of the free

[mdt]

But honestly it is not as if they can trace you… (no number plate)

But I tell you what just picture the seen a bright orange RIB with a Opti 200 on the back flat out being pursued by half a dozen black RIB’s.

It would look like they are filming a bond film. Obviously one would have to don a DJ to get the full effect.

[Rodan]

This could be the start of a new era of Harbour Master baiting..
A bit like a joyride in your own vehicle. How fast are these 'chase boats'?

[Mark Halliday]

Originally Posted by mdt

But honestly it is not as if they can trace you… (no number plate)

If you are local, they have your name and address from your harbour dues.
Also, on busy days the have all the exits covered. Its just a quick call on the private radio channel, and you get stopped by the next one.

The 8 kt speed limit is a pain, but it is there for a reason. There are so many kids in dinghys, very heavy traffic in the narrower bits, and a huge number of "mine cost a lot more than yours, so get out of my way" tossers around.

Me? I never speed (fingers very crossed behind back).

[Hugh Jardon]

not as fast as yours but they do have digital cameras !

larger ribcraft has a honda 150 on the back but is quite a heavy looking boat so you should be fine

mee....i will try to keep on the right side of da law

Originally Posted by Rodan

This could be the start of a new era of Harbour Master baiting..
A bit like a joyride in your own vehicle. How fast are these 'chase boats'?

[Biggles]

Chichester,

Don't worry about the Harbour Master there, he'll probably be busy giving me another rollicking.

I really must learn to slow down. Trouble is my boat just gets on the plane at 12 Knots. Thanks for the warning though i will take extra care.

[LURCHER]

Actually the Chi harbour patrol are OK they dont go overboard on regulars but do tend to hit obvious speeders . I was out on my DART cat yesterday and they pulled 2 jetskiers who were obviously baiting them . Usual scene of big fat thugs on jet skis being gits . Dont think you can speed at night either as they seem to know what is going on in the harbour at all hours

[mdt]

well all jet bikes should have number plates on as standard...

One question

See if you don’t stop do they stick stingers out to puncher your tubes or do they just but lobster pots out with floating lines, to do the same thing???

No fully agree there is a time and a place for going quick and round kids in mirror dinghies is neither.

Just had visions of them taking the same stance as traffic wardens one knot over and they would be out with there tickets.

[ozz]

River Hamble is another one to watch for radar traps. They hang out half way up the river when you are least expecting them.

As they can't give you points (not yet) anyone know what kind of fines you have to pay?

Ozz

[steve green]

Originally Posted by ozz

River Hamble is another one to watch for radar traps. They hang out half way up the river when you are least expecting them.

As they can't give you points (not yet) anyone know what kind of fines you have to pay?

Ozz

In answer to your question how much anything up to £10,000.
I was fined £750 plus court costs for doing 21 knots in the river arun 2004 which is a 6.5 knot limit,which i knew the speed limit but the day in question was the littlehampton regatta weather was crap regatta was cancelled, & at that time i had a valient dr 490 mercury 60hp on back which my son was helming no one else was on the river so we thought we went up river planing speed, then just round corner i looked what i thought was someone fishing no it was a speed camera, next miniute fast black rib & blue lights after major discussion,left with ticket. Two weeks later summons to court having taken legal advice no choice as evidence against me, so expensive day

[BogMonster]

Ahhhh the delights of living in the middle of nowhere....

The harbourmaster here hasn't got a boat even if he could be arsed to chase me though his office floats, and I wouldn't like to be chased by that as it probably weighs about 10,000 tonnes

The speed limit here is Italian law - it happens to coincide with the top speed of whatever you are driving at that moment in time

[Ribald]

This could be the start of a new era of Harbour Master baiting..
A bit like a joyride in your own vehicle. How fast are these 'chase boats'?

We are fast, and in Pompy we have "backup".

[ozz]

£750 Ouch ! - That is a bad day out. I think I will keep it under 6 then!

I was going up Southampton water the other day and the High speed Cats seem to ignore the speed limit above the Hythe pier. Anyone know if they get special treatment? He did it within 200 yards of a police boat that deliberately doubled back to try and catch me out. (well thats what it looked like)

Ozz

[pressman]

Yep the red jets are exempt!!

[Carl]

i was of the understanding that they have to ask permission every time they come in and out