I have been understandably taken to task for the piece I wrote which gave rise to the “Tack is a four letter word” thread on the forum. I wrote that I could not understand why so many people motored out of the river, rather than beating (as the prevailing winds so often dictate).
I was told: “It's all right for you ex-racing types: you're used to close quarters sailing.”
My critic said he would love to tack out of the estuary, but felt intimidated by the sheer volume of traffic on a sunny Sunday, and also lacked confidence in others' understanding of the colregs. I can relate to that! How often have I looked at a boat on a converging course and thought: “I know you're the give way vessel, but do you?”
We had a classic example this weekend. The weather wasn't that great, but it was August Bank Holiday, so just about everyone was out there. The course down river was a fetch this time, thankfully. We were sailing towards the harbour, on starboard, and a yacht with its headsail out on port and its motor going full blast cut straight across us. The man at the helm gave absolutely no indication that he had even seen us, never mind contemplated the possibility that he might not be entirely within his rights. He was actually breaking three fundamental rules: port and starboard, steam gives way to sail, and overtaking boat keeps clear.
We were so surprised - and busy taking avoiding action - we didn't even protest, but the next yacht he impeded gave him a right earful, and he span round, with his genoa aback, and proceeded to motor back up the river, leaving it flapping, without making any attempt to sort it out.
We guessed that he must be a complete novice, since he didn't seem to have the first idea, never mind the second. What was worrying was that he had young children aboard. They were wearing lifejackets, it's true, but otherwise he seemed to have little idea about keeping them safe.
He appeared to have little regard for the safety of his own ship or himself, never mind that of other craft and crew in a crowded waterway on a day when the weather was forecast to deteriorate. We only hoped he would get home before the shower squalls arrived, for we guessed he would have little idea what to do about them.
All right, everybody has to start somewhere. I hope he quickly gains some experience and enjoys his sailing (for it is not very enjoyable when you don't know what you are doing, and get shouted at!)
But what is the answer? The RYA understandably resists all talk of “driving licences,” and most of us support this view. But at the same time, with people taking on bigger and bigger boats as “starter yachts” the potential for catastrophe caused by untrained learners is growing.
A broker friend told me recently about selling a 50 footer to someone who had never had a boat before. Fortunately, he did persuade the proud new owner to get some training before taking it out for the first time!
It is little wonder that the RNLI is getting increasing numbers of call outs from yachtsmen who do not have the knowledge or experience to get themselves out of a minor muddle before it develops into a serious situation.
There are people who decry the RYA training schemes, and are concerned about people gaining false confidence from bits of paper, with relatively few sea miles. They may have a point, but surely that piece of paper is a lot better than nothing.
The sea schools and the RYA do an excellent job. It isn't the only way of training. Time spent as racing crew, for example, provides invaluable concentrated experience of the rules of the road, sailing skills and seamanship.
But how do we get to the people who just buy a boat and get out there, without any training or crewing experience, or even understanding of why either might be helpful?
If we don't do it somehow, we can all expect our insurance premiums to rise, and that driving licence to become a requirement sooner rather than later.
