Fined for creating a dangerous wave

[Battleship 100]

I was one of the yachts racing on Saturday drifting along in the tide, the TYPBC has been pretty active on educating sailors about how little vision and lack of maneuverability the ships have, the sailing instructions are pretty clear about the requirement to keep clear even amending the rule slightly so yachts don't really lose anything if they have to motor out of the channel for a ship, unfortunately by the looks of it the cruisers aren't really aware of the game they are playing. The harbour is absolutely packed with visitors at the moment, on a nice day ships just about need an escort out to keep the way clear.

[AJ Oliver 154]

A bigly number of power boat operators like to produce large wakes for the same 

reason that many Harley cycle riders like to make lots of noise. 

 

It's because to them annoying other people is at least half the fun. 

 

Come on, how many times have you seen power boaters sneak a look back 

over their shoulders as their wake throws your sailboat about? 

 

Many of them do it quite on purpose. (not all, of course) 

[rigger 47]

Hi Willow,

It was great to have the channel clear, I had slowed down as I had been told there was a number of boats in the cut. 

Have a camera recording fairly often so might have footage.

 

Thanks again

[Muzza 18]

My thoughts are the actions of a few are going to lead to greater expense for the greater majority of boat owners. To a point licensing I can go along with as some form of education is needed but this probably won't work as well as hitting the repeat offenders where it hurts most, in the pocket. I would rather have an idiot fined than have more rules,regulations and expense imposed on the general boating public. Registration I don't agree with for several reasons 1/ Registration essentially becomes nothing more than a revenue gathering exercise and nothing more. Sure you can  identify someone being an idiot but we have had registration on the roads for about 80 years, does registration stop someone being an idiot on the roads? I think not.

Like most people on the roads if you see someone being an idiot the natural instinct is to jump up and down and scream and yell but generally these things don't get reported, human nature takes over and people don't want to get involved in paperwork or interviews. I do believe that the authorities need to spend time policing the more serious misdemeanors rather than fining someone for not wearing a life Jacket even if it is right alongside them. 

[Winter 42]

Is this not great news? Now they will be after those pesky ferrries and their dangerous waves!

[Muzza 18]

Is this not great news? Now they will be after those pesky ferrries and their dangerous waves!

I think it is a double edged sword you are swinging there, the ferries have there own issues to with boats anchoring in the ferry lane and close to berths at Matiatia and Kennedy Point. I recently got a chance to view the operation of one of Sea Links Ferry barges on the approach to Halfmoon bay one Saturday afternoon. There were numerous small boats fishing in the channel and one in particular was quite verbal when the ferry passed a bit close to him, the ferry was making a final approach to the ramp and no more than about 50meters off  when a yacht decided to run the gauntlet and cut through between the ferry and the ramp. The yacht cleared the ferry by no more than 7 metres, I believe the ferries are now fitting camera's to record these type of events events, This yacht would have had plenty of room to pass astern of the barge. 

[Muzza 18]

Jet Raider Quick Cat and Tiri Cat are among the worst but nothing worse that the old mono hull Te Kotuku that was run by Kerridge's to Pakatoa back in the 70's, affectionately known as the Great white wave maker and was responsible for much damage in a time when the authorities didn't care. 

[Deep Purple 512]

Yep I was in patio bay once with a group of trailer yachts and it created total carnage. Pots flying off stoves, boats crashing together.