The MCA press release about yachts caught out in bad weather over the Bank Holiday weekend, quoted in TheMainSail article Coastguard: Watch the weather
has been withdrawn following a complaint from the yacht Playing Around.
The press release stated that the yacht, currently the leading IRC1 in the RORC series, required lifeboat assistance on her way back from St Quay, and the crew wish to make clear that no such assistance was required or provided, although they had made a call to the coastguard concerning their plans to divert to Weymouth rather than return to the Solent in the prevailing weather conditions.
The MCA press release also implied that the crew, which reportedly included an RYA Ocean Yachtmaster and two RYA Yachtmasters, and four veterans of last year's Round Britain and Ireland Race, had been irresponsible putting to sea in those conditions.
Kirstie Johnson, who was aboard the yacht, reported that while as a matter of prudence they had notified the coastguard of a potential problem with the steering, and maintained regular updates with the coastguard to report on their progress, they were not at any time attended by the Weymouth lifeboat.
Watch captain Chris Sandison said: “Playing Around contacted Solent CG as a matter of prudence due to concerns about the strength of its steering. In the event the steering did not fail. The boat was sailing under storm jib at between 3 and 6 kts throughout the period concerned.
“It was unable to make significant ground to windward during the worst of the weather, but was able to make slow but steady progress to the NW (against an East-going tide and NE wind - so clearly not drifting) to find shelter in the lee of Anvil Point. The assistance of Swanage lifeboat was offered at this stage, but having found flatter water and reduced winds, Playing Around was able to start the engine and proceed to Weymouth.
“Many of the crew on board were highly experienced and the boat is very well found. Contact was established with Solent CG as a matter of prudence. Should the situation have deteriorated, Solent CG would already have been aware of our situation and would therefore have been able to assist more quickly and with a greater degree of confidence.
“We believe 1) that this was an appropriate action for us to take in the circumstances and 2) that the coastguard would not wish to discourage other yachts in similar circumstances from pursuing a similar course of action. Therefore we object to being reported as a casualty and to the clearly implied criticism contained in the MCA press release.
“The operators to whom we spoke at Solent CG and then Portland CG were at all times extremely professional and rendered every assistance they could.”
Chris later accepted that they had been “unwise to have put ourselves in the position we did.”
But he added: “I think the point I would wish to make is that having made the mistake of being at sea in those conditions, we acted prudently and correctly in establishing contact with the coastguard and that thanks to the strength of the crew and the preparedness of the boat we did not become a casualty.”
