Plato

Has seamanship, and self reliance diminished since the establishment of the Coastguard? Every weekend there are calls after calls from boaties requiring a tow back due to flat batteries, no fuel etc. Just call the AA rather than a little forward planning and checks. Off shore sailors are certainly better prepared and equipped (in most cases anyway) I will continue to be a loyal supporter of the Coastguard.

As the originator of the OP... As I have not contemplated taking my boat off shore, I don't know the ins and outs of the Cat 1 requirements. If I planned to do so then I would make sure I devoured every bit of information I could. But until now I didn't need to know everything, but because of this incident I have though been forced into finding out more. Im not entirely rabbit eared either - just not in my scope. I do know, and have read the safety cats on the NZ Yachting site, and as this is an informative web page I use it to increase my knowledge of sailing and the debates, which I'm

No its Fiji not BOI The boat is a NZ boat, so hopefully they will run into Black Panther's mates!

Is Cat 1 not a racing requirement? Cruising - I don't know, but I wish them well, and will keep everything crossed.

True, I agree, and thus my hesitation. Certainly you don't need all the mod cons to go sailing. Knowing how to use a sextant might be a good alternative. and that I know they don't have. But overall the look and feel is just not right, not to mention the timing of departure. Just hope we don't need to fly our Orions, that's all.

Over the weekend I came across a couple who are planning to leave for the islands this week. I don't want to be a party spoiler but they appeared, and the boat appears to be very ill prepared. (Eg no wind steering, one small solar panel, no apparent extra diesel tanks etc.) They did not strike me as being very experienced either judging by the way they left their mooring. Many people have done amazing trips with very little so it is possible, but I would hate for their luck to run out and I did nothing. What to do??

I think the beach is being washed away. Thus the Daring may not survive much longer. The Wreck was in the dunes behind 6 months ago. It certainly isn't floating! BTW - The hull still has the remains of the copper sheeting clearly visible on the sides, and possibly under the hull, still intact. Digging her out is not that easy. Plant can only access the beach 20k south of the wreck. It is in the inter-tidal zone which suggests the sand will all be washed back during the next high tide. The plant way well get stranded between the wreck and dunes at high tide.( Insurance of hire plant will p

Don't know how to reduce the photos to full size??

Visited her over the weekend, and the damage by souvenier hunters collectors is really bad The barrier that was to be put up to protect her is not in place. Our heritage protection agencies are failing us. WE NEED HELP AND FAST!!! We cant rely on our authorities any longer!