Andy in trouble - part "the Second".

[Finless]

Following Andy's post I thought I would do my bit and resolve any lingering doubt that anyone may have on the question of advising the Coastguard of boating/diving plans.

I phoned Dover CG and asked the question "would you prefer if private dive club RIBS/boats contacted the CG to advise when they are leaving, where they are going and to confirm a safe return?" The reply was succinct and to the point "yes - definitely".

I would therefore be happy to assume that the same would apply at other CG stations around the Country.

I must admit that when on my friends boat, thus far, we have only called in for a radio check.

[Helen F H]

When i rib dived we used to religiously. But then i think we were a bit of an exception. Plus the DO is a coastguard.

[Fiona]

When I dive from our club RIB (ex club), we always contact the CG to tell them we are out, what we are diving from (Orange RIB) number of divers and when our estimated return will be. We then contact them on our return at the end of the day. They have never given us the impression that they don't want to hear from us.

If they are busy just wait a minute and they will respond when they are ready for you.

Just don't forget to tell them you are back, we once got a call from them as we were a little late back. I would certainly prefer them to know we are out there.

[Dr Stevil]

Nice bit of work Bryan, straight to the point

[louigi]

Always but always tell them where your going and when you return.
we always have done and will do so till they tell us other wise.
Lou

[Mary]

I have to confess that when ever I have been out on our club boats we have NEVER that I have heard of given details of when we are due out/back. Even worse is that I don't ever even recall a radio check. the attitude seems to be that "we're not going far out, we always take two boats so one can help the other, and have tool kits (including spark plugs) available".

To be fair it was a thought that hadn't really even occured to me as I used the club boats as a novice and more recently I have just dived off hard boats. When I was diving off the club boats it was as much as I could do (along with most novices) to collect all my belongings and avoid chundering let alone learn the good routines of boatmanship. In retrospect it is quite frankly terrifying that we routinely take the boats out filled to the top with novices (so no idea how even to turn the radio on) without a care in the world.

Considering that this is a Uni club (so we fall under much stricter HSE rules than just a normal BSAC club), we normally follow all BSAC "advice/guidelines" as rules so I'm astounded at the lacksadaisical atitude.

This is certainly something I will be raising with the club. (take note boat-officer!)

[turbanator]

When we were in Pembrokshire, the Coastguard requested that we let them know (Number of RIBs, Number of passengers, dive site and launch site)
when each wave of divers left and returned, all others I've just let them know at the start of the day and then when we where all back.