Sea Fishing - ANCHORING techniques ? FLOTATION suit ? Stay OUT

[Fishing Forum Admin]

Found this great article by the RNLI

You've heard the experts. This is what YOU say...

The debate is: What is the single most important safety issue for sea anglers?


'There are several methods of anchoring in strong tides' (see Martyn Wright's question below) replies Dave Mallett, President National Assn of Boat Angling Clubs. 'But I don't recommend buoying'

When we are anchoring in the strong tides and over the rough ground in S Ireland we use home made grapnel anchors, which will bend under extreme pressure. Replacing the chain with some cheap lead weights a few feet from the anchor to keep the pull down along the seabed and some cheap rope means that if we get it stuck we can abandon it without the temptation to take risks to get it back.

Alternatively look at your anchor. Most patent anchors have a second hole for a tripping line at the 'wrong' end. By attaching your chain here and then leading it along the anchor shank and securing it with an electricians plastic wire tie at the top end you can create a weak link. Should the anchor become stuck a good pull from vertically above should snap the link and allow the anchor to be pulled up tail end first out of the obstruction.

Be wary of using the buoy method of retrieving an anchor. When it works it's great - when it goes wrong (and it does!) it can be lethal. We have had boats go down when they have caught the rope around the outboard leg and been held stern on into the tide. It can also happen when dropping the anchor, so lower the rope into the water when anchoring - don't throw it all over in a heap that might just get caught around the prop.

Why not check out Dave's website on: www.wavelengthtraining.co.uk



'Expert advice on anchoring would be welcomed,' says Martyn Wright

I believe that anchoring is one of the more risky aspects of small boat angling.

All the normal guidelines about anchoring for boat users ie sheltered anchorage, foul free ground, scope etc go out of the window. We anglers often intentionally look for fast tidal flows, rough ground and deep water.

It's when the anchor gets stuck that the situation becomes dangerous, particularly in fast tidal flows. Efforts to extract the hook can easily lead to risks being taken in an unfamiliar situation.

Any advice from the experts would be welcomed.



'A flotation suit is mine', says Paul Johnson

I am an occasional sea angler fishing from charter boats twice a year. Two years ago I bought a flotation suit, it's waterproof, warm and to my family and me it's my most important item of tackle, better then just a set of 'oilies'.


We sell this type of lifejacket says Andrew Bacon, Customer Services of Transair Pilot Shop

Housed in an attractive blue Velcro closed pouch the Aircrew Lite Lifejacket is designed to be worn by passengers and crew of light aircraft in flight - Belted around the hip, constantly ready for immediate operation. The Aircrew-Lite is easy to use, you simply peel-back the opening flap, remove the jacket and place it over your head. Once outside the aircraft the jacket can be inflated by activating the CO2 Cylinder.

The jacket has a buoyancy of 150 newtons, which is sufficient even for rough sea conditions. The jacket has been especially shaped to support the neck insuring the head is held above water. A full and clear information panel is supplied on the inner side of the outer casing - for reference. Made in Great Britain. The Constant Wear Aircrew-Lite Lifejacket is worn on your waist and is ready for immediate use in the event of an emergency situation

The Jacket meets the British Standard BSEN396 (150N buoyancy. Manually operated inflation for offshore foul weather conditions). The only negative points to this lifejacket are that it does not have a harness link for helicopter rescues. Also, it is self inflating, and not automatic (it was designed for the aviation industry, where an inflated lifejacket inside an airframe could prevent your escape).

If you are planning to take a lifejacket on an aircraft, it is always advisable to check with the airline when booking. The majority of airlines do not like pressurized containers of any size on their flights. We can also supply Slim-fit Aircrew Lifejackets, and 4-6 person Liferafts (again both manually operated), as well as Jotron AQ-4 Strobes, Mini B beacons, Tron 1E Mk2 Beacons, and Rapid Ditch bags. All of these products are available from our Shops at Shoreham, Fairoaks, or London. Alternatively, you can place a mail order by telephoning us on 01273 466000, or by visiting our Website www.transair.co.uk .



"Has anyone used a pouch lifejacket?" asks Neil Jones

Since my family is going on a Greek island hopping jaunt this summer, (and I've just read the loading criteria for Greek boats/ferries) ... does anyone have any experience of pouch (around waist) lifejackets? Crewsaver no longer make them? Is there a problem with them?



"Only SIX out of the TWELVE lifejackets INFLATED!" warns Christopher Still - see the SAILING and MOTORBOATING section for the story...



"Stay out of the water," advises Helen Stroud

When embarking on a mission to fish a section of beach/foreshore cliff or in a small boat, I like to research the area by taking the time to make a reconnaissance survey, gaining as much local knowledge as possible.

For example:

- Tackle shops, indigenous locals and maps as it is useful to know which direction the currents run, where the rips are, soft sand, becoming stranded.
- Learn to read the weather, listen to the radio 4 shipping forecast.
- Put the mobile phone in a watertight bag.
- Make sure you are wide awake, not tired, stoned or p-st.
- Wear a flotation suit when necessary.
- Let someone know where you are fishing from - better still take a mate who can swim!

All of the above are very important, but the single most important issue is to simply stay out of the water.



In response to Paul Jackson (below) Steve believes...

A 14foot boat is too small for four anglers



"Is this intelligent government or intelligent policy making? asks Kieran Hanrahan of Co. Mayo, Ireland

Locally, the reaction of the government to the tragedy in Wexford in seeking to extend passenger carrying boat safety measures to the charter fleet, whilst laudable, runs several risks and may prove counterproductive.

If the measures prove too expensive to implement, skippers will leave the business (they are already under pressure due to the awful summer and reduced tourism). 'Commercial' boat chartering will become at least partially a black economy activity with no regulation, no licensing or no insurance. Unregulated boats will be lost at sea for want of proper maintenance, equipment and - paradoxically - proper regulation and supervision by the marine authorities. We could find ourselves moving from a well maintained and regulated fleet to a position where there are a few expensive licensed boats and all sort of horrible unlicensed operators...

A relatively new tourism product that is developing nicely and that has become an important income for coastal communities is likely to be curtailed if not actually killed off.

Yet another loss is that in this era where commercial vessel fishing is being curtailed to preserve limited fish stocks, an alternative fishing income from charter services that brings in a far higher income per fish to the skipper and local businesses in the local communities around our coasts is in danger of being denied them by ill-conceived additional regulation.

This additional regulation, to heavily extend the safety requirements for sea angling charter boats, has the potential to cost more lives than it seeks to save, by driving sea anglers to the use of small dinghies rather than a recently developed fleet of safe, purpose built, licensed and fully insured sea angling charter boats, all skippered by experienced professionals. Is this intelligent government or intelligent policy making?

If four people get into a 16ft GRP for a days sea angling, who is to say whether anyone has paid? Among friends it is common to pay for petrol - will this now be illegal? Alongside the potential horror of an unregulated industry, we have the spectre of amateur sea-anglers in pursuit of sea-fishing buying themselves a fleet of cheap small boats, piloting them without proper attention to safety or the provision of essential safety equipment, not to mention their actually obtaining proper training in seamanship. If the government wants to look at legislation, effective policing of the existing 'pleasure' fleet is a key topic as there is little or nothing in the way of effective supervision or standards for this 'pleasure' fleet in place currently...

I would think that all interested parties, including the RNLI, could be persuaded by these arguments - as someone who has run a small boat for fishing purely with friends and not commercially, in the recent past and seen what amateur boat anglers can do, I fear for lives lost around our coast in the future if reasonably priced access for anglers to charter boats is not preserved... most sea-anglers are not made of money.

Check out Kieran's site on: sea-anglling-ireland.org



"If you're chartering on a regular basis, you can afford your own lifejacket," says Tom Fennelly of Dublin

We have just had an awful tragedy here in Ireland with the loss of five anglers, one woman losing her son, husband and father. The rule of thumb is that when you hire a charter boat you ensure that they are licensed by the (in Ireland) Department of Marine and have the proper lifejackets. Is this good enough, I think not! I think if you are an angler you can afford the £300 rod and the £600 reel and afford a charter boat on regular occasions then the least you can afford is your own life jacket. I know this argument is defeated by the fact that under the licence the skipper must provide lifejackets for all and insist that those under 16 years wear them. This can result in a skipper handing out jackets during calm weather, which can be torn to shreds by hooks and knives by anglers you could not care less. I think the anglers should have to have lifejackets BEFORE they get on the boat.



"Education can be fun" recommends Dave Mallett , RYA advanced instructor/power trainer, President National Assn of Boat Angling Clubs

Having had a quick flick thru this forum I have a few points. I have been a boat angler for thirty years and learnt thru trial and error in the early days - but these days errors are more likely to be fatal bearing in mind the fast boats that we use, the distances they can be offshore in a short time, and the decimation of inshore fish stocks. After a number of fatalities off this coast I founded of the National Association of boat Angling Clubs and being an RYA instructor already I became the principal of the RYA training school that we founded with a course aimed at the sea angler. Few RYA instructors have any knowledge at all of the problems experienced by anglers launching of f exposed beaches throughout the winter and anchoring small cuddy boats in strong tides in search of cod. Hence the RYA/NABAC course as mentioned on some entries already on this forum. We still run these courses for NABAC and they are in constant demand. Education can be fun and when you are doing a course along with fellow sea anglers safety is enhanced by getting to know other boat owners who you can have a friendly word with on the vhf if a problem arises.

To find out more, check out the website on: wavelengthtraining.co.uk



"What's the best type of footwear to wear when rock fishing," asks Dene Wyke

Just wondering if you could help. I am a keen sea fisherman and mainly concentrate on rock fishing where I live in Dumfries and Galloway. The particular type of rock around our coast is absolutely treacherous when wet... Can anybody tell me what type of footwear, more particularly which type of sole it's best to wear in the circumstances?



Dave Woods says, "There's a simple answer, 'Safety at Sea' is brought about by an attitude of mind. "

Like many other clubs, the Fylde Boat Angling Club actively promotes Safety amongst its members. This, at the best of times, can be a thankless task for someone, usually the Safety Officer. Who wants to be the one staying behind checking boats while everyone else is off fishing?

However, recently the FBAC membership have recognised that with the increased trend of people travelling further (at sea) and in less reliable conditions, this brought on by an increased confidence in the reliability of modern engines and electronics', members are liable to be travelling further way from home and other club boats, with increased speed.

What is a unique situation is that the club is the first on the Fylde coast, if not within the UK, to adopt the RNLI SeaCheck scheme as its primary safety standard. All boats are now required to be SeaChecked annually, especially those new to the club.

The consequences of this decision have instigated a considerable increase in the safety standards and consistency of club boats. With over 200 members and 80 small boats, the impact on general safety cannot be over emphasised. A real step change for the better has occurred. Additionally, two members volunteered and have been trained as the SeaCheck advisors.

As the SeaCheck scheme is designed to be tailored to meet local needs, the exact requirements have been agreed and posted on our Club's website fbac.co.uk available for all to see.

Before we can become serious boat anglers we must first become serious boat owners.

Training schemes run by the club include:

- RYA Powerboat certificate,
- First aid training,
- VHF radio and GPS/Navigational courses.

Membership of a club brings with it these extra benefits as well as opening up a pool of information and knowledge on the fishing.



Hi Paul, it's good to hear from you (below)

Well done, as you so rightly say the proper kit and knowing how it all works is important. It looks as if you're on the right track. Even so, why not consider a RNLI SEA Check? It's not a test but a FREE face-to-face safety advice service, given by an experienced RNLI volunteer. SEA Check is available to anyone who goes to sea in almost any type of leisure craft.

If you fancy a spot of reading, we also have several FREE booklets and check lists you may find useful:

. Safety Guidelines for Sea Anglers
. Engine Checklist - Outboards
. Engine checklist - Inboards and Outdrives
. Guidelines to Reduce Machinery Failure in Pleasure Craft
. Emergency Procedures for Pleasure Craft
. Safety Guidelines for Recreational Boat Users
. Man Overboard Procedure for Pleasure Craft
. Emergency Radio Procedures check list sticker
. GMDSS Guidelines for Small Boat Users in European Waters
. Motorboating Sea Safety Guidelines
. Sailing Sea Safety Guidelines
. Rules of the Road sticker

To register for your SEA Check call FREEFONE: 0800 328 0600, or register online: rnli.org.uk/seacheck.asp">

For copies of the above FREE publications also call: FREEFONE 0800 328 0600.

Safe fishing and happy reading... Carol

- oh, by the way, what about an anchor?



Do I pass, asks Paul Jackson owner of Sunset Chaser?

I am a keen wreck fisherman and along with nine other people go out about once a month. This year we're still getting together monthly, but are also buying our own boats to make the most of any fine weather. As for safety... this is why I'm looking at the RNLI website.

I have just bought a 14ft Capri dory boat along with a fish finder and I am looking into buying and fitting the following before I go out to sea:

. GPS
. Compass
. VHF
. Flares (including the ones which release radar char)
. Radar Reflector
. Life Jackets
. Small inflatable rib, which will take my 6hp aux outboard
. Lifebuoy
. The boat has navigation lights fitted, but I only intend to go out in daylight.

I am also looking into training in order to use a radio and basic signs and charts. Do you think I pass in the safety route?

It is my boat and I am in charge but there will be three others on board so I am responsible for them as well (if anything happens and only I survive then it is bad news for me as my friend's wife is a big lass!

It's a good question and I hope you have lots of promising replies.



Should leisure sailors be licensed? See the sailing section for Robert Hardy's opinion.



"Not sure of the tides? - then check out the new UK Hydrographic Office site," advises Kevin Rowitt

"I have found a good web tidal prediction table produced by the Admiralty. It is called EasyTides and is very simple to use.

As a big safety factor of sea angling I thought it should be mentioned in WAVES.

To check out Easy/Tides click here: easytide.com



"Check out all the topics" urges Carol Rowitt in response to Colin Rienewerf (below)

You're quite right Colin, we are all water users and should look at the other user's needs as well. Perhaps their crazy antics are not so crazy after all. Is it simply a lack of understanding on our part, or lack of knowledge on theirs?

Each sport has its own set of safety problems and the different classifications within the WAVES structure offers the unique opportunity to address them to their own 'group of experts'. However as you rightly say these can cross and often do. I'd like everyone to SURF WAVES, that way they would be much better informed. And, don't just stick to emailing me on your sport - as onlookers you may well have a helpful opinion on another.

As I always say, LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK, EMAIL ME TODAY carolwaves@aol.com



"Why are there different classifications in WAVES?" asks Colin Rienewerf

Just read Alan Harpers comments and couldn't agree more. Many times after a good day boating or fishing I have slept contented and satisfied, but at the same time thought "what if?"

Although I fish and boat from a small RIB, some of the safety related items and ideas I have onboard, might originally have been picked up from reading yachting or general seamanship books or articles, and adapted. A good example is that I have a 20m floating rope, with small floating buoy on the end, permanently attached to the side lifelines on my boat. For trailing/ storage it is held in a coil with an elastic strap, but on preparing for launching, the strap is removed and the rope left in a loose coil just in front of the transom. WHY? In case I fall in or the boat capsizes, and the trailing floating rope gives me some chance of reaching, holding and recovering myself into the boat.

Yes, it's something I've considered and 'planned' for the eventuality.

Point 1: This is similar to an ocean yachting technique of streaming a long rope in case of man overboard in rough weather, something I have read at one time or another and when I considered my own possibilities, this seemed a reasonable measure to put in place in the name of 'preparedness'.

Off at a tangent, but following reflection after a dreadful local tragedy this year when an angler drowned after falling from his boat and could not be recovered aboard quickly, some colleagues with their own angling boats are looking at fixing looped lifelines to hang down over their gunwales, their idea based on those seen as already manufactured into my RIB, but also similar to those seen on old style lifeboats. This is a relatively novel idea for modern fast planing powerboats and could maybe be encouraged more widely. Could the RNLI or Seacheck help? Maybe talk with manufacturers?

Point 2: The concept of different classifications under 'waves' seems very logical. However, we are all water users, typically sea users. I have often considered that we water users have much in common and we can learn from and learn with each other. Having the different classifications might tend to promote an 'us and them' attitude.

A good example is that the RYA Yachtmaster shorebased tutor I had last year was a dedicated (5 months of the year) cruising yachtsman, and I an humble ribster /boat angler. We had much in common and sharing experiences and stories (which continued after the course ended) was mutually beneficial I believe.

Enough of the rambling: many ideas are thought of as limited or specific to one boating discipline, but with an open mind and ingenuity they can have application and safety benefits to many. Classification into different groups seems to hinder this ingenuity and open mindedness. Keep up the good work though.



"Pass on special offers" says Colin Rienewerf, an Offshore member and RIB angler from Northumberland

The biggest issue is not with the typical sea anglers/boat owners who read your information (RNLI literature or website) but the large number who, as I remember being described in a local book written in the 1950s, "put to sea on a shoestring".

I almost cry or laugh at the many articles written that (although with the right intent) attempt to refine safety levels, but assume they are a reasonable standard to start with. Some of these articles preaching safety to the small boat owner must have been written from the flying bridge of a 40ft cruiser with all the trimmings. They are so out of touch with reality.

You would be horrified at the number of angling boats in the north that go to sea without even basic lifejackets or flares.

We can only try to set a good example and hope others follow by making these owners think twice. Preaching (as per many magazine articles) or even polite advice does not seem to work.

I do not believe the SeaCheck literature even reaches many owners.

Passing on information of mail order special offers and advising of the reduced cost that many safety items can be purchased, well below list price, can help.



"Check out the following", says John Burrows whose great uncle was on the Skegness lifeboat

All sea anglers, whether amateur or professional should never put to sea without:

a) a thorough briefing on local shipping forecast;
b) the certainty of a seaworthy vessel with 1st class radio facilities;
c) the plain commonsense to return to harbour if in any doubt - and to tell the harbourmaster of this and any other changes of plan.



Take your mobile advises Andy Farrell

I think Chris from Wirral Sea Fishing covers most of the safety issues regarding beach anglers although I would also recommend a mobile phone as these are more than just a fashion accessory.



LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK, EMAIL ME TODAY carolwaves@aol.com

[Joyce_boat]

Hi all, I read with great interest your comments on anchors.My late father Bill Stonehouse of Redcar passed to me the following advice
1. Carry 3 anchors with at least 10ft of chain on each.
2 One a fishermens type mainly for use on soft groundand never use it amongst rocks or rough ground even tripped because there will come a time that you will lose it. This anchor should be bigger than one recomended by the boat makers for it is your lifeline. Should you need rescuing it will keep you and you boat in position.
3 2 anchors should be the grapnel type for rough ground.The chain will set the anchor more easily.one to use and one spare.
4. If you cannot free the grapnel by hand then cut your losses and cut it free. Dont try to winch it up from a small boat.You can bouy it and ask a bigger boat to winch it up.
5. The motor must be running beforeyou lift the anchor and only haul the anchor from the bows, to lift it midships will mean you pulling the boat sideways, not is it only hard work but waves could swamp you boat.
6. Always use gloves to get a better grip and to avoid rope burns.
7 Trip the anchor with 50lb bright red or yellow mono fishing line.
8. Mark you anchor every fathom with a cheap coloured cable tie (easily available from discount shops) I use yellow and every 10 fathoms with a red one. Hence the need for gloves.This way you know how much rope you have out. David Stonehouse

[Fishing Forum Admin]

Great info Joyce_boat :well:

[KKYum]

Hi There
I would just like to add something from my own experiences. I run an 18ft cabin cruiser out of Cardiff in the Severn Estuary/Bristol channel and there are always strong currents running. Everyone down here uses the buoy system to raise their anchor. For me it is the most nerve racking manouvre of a trip - there are so many things that can go wrong. I would advise anyone new to boating and considering using this method to to get someone to take you out and show you how its done before attempting it yourself. Always leave the warp secured at the bow and keep a constant eye on where the warp is going as you move off. Keep a knife handy and be prepared to cut the anchor free rather than risking the boat and yourselves. DO NOT ever secure the rope to the stern of the boat if the anchor becomes unretrievable. Leave it behind. If it doesn't come up the first time go into neutral and let the current drift you back into place before trying again.Watch out for the rope becoming wrapped around the outboard leg - you will become waterlogged very quickly as the boat turns stern to into the current. You will not be able to fight against the tide to untangle the rope. If this happens get the knife quick.
The most frequent time I have problems is when the anchor was weighed with the tide going one way, slack water has passed and the boat has turned to face the opposite direction as the tide starts to run again. This can cause the anchor, chain and warp to become wrapped around obstructions on the bottom.
Saying that, I have not lost an anchor yet,although I have had a couple of pulse raising moments.

KK

http://kitkatyum.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/

[kiwimarty]

Hey KK,

Nice boats and even better fish but you look mad dude........welcome to the forum mate!

Kiwi.

[KKYum]

Mad for fishing, mate.
KK.