PLANNING FOR MOTOR CRUISING GET THE LOWDOWN FROM THE RYA'S STUART CARRUTHERS P11 Autumn 2022 | ISSUE 93 LIVE LIFE TO THE FULL AT THERNLI.orgCOASTOFFSHORE|P2 CHOOSING A TIDE APP AND LEARNING ITS LIMITATIONS | P8 THE JOY OF LIFE ALONG THE RIVER THAMES | P11 LETTING OFF STEAM: REDUCING ONBOARD CONDENSATION | P16 WHAT TO DO ABOUT A TORN SAIL AT SEA P4 FORECAST THE SHIPPING
WELCOME 2 Autumn 2022 | ISSUE 93 ©RNLI 2022. All rights reserved. Reproduction is permitted with the prior consent of the RNLI. Opinions expressed by authors are not necessarily those of the publishers. Care is taken to ensure that editorial information is correct at the time of going to press but is subject to change. CONTACT US If you have any enquiries – or would prefer not to receive this magazine – please email supporterexperience@rnli.org.uk. Alternatively, please call 0300 300 9990 (from the UK), 01 511 9836 (from Ireland) or +44 1202 663234 (from any other country) weekdays 8am–6pm, or post c/o RNLI Support Centre, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HZ. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution, a charity registered in England and Wales (209603), Scotland (SC037736), the Republic of Ireland (CHY 2678 and 20003326), the Bailiwick of Jersey (14), the Isle of Man (1308 and 006329F), the Bailiwick of Guernsey and Alderney Front photograph:cover Shutterstock.com Acting Chair: Janet Cooper Chief Executive: Mark Dowie Offshore Editor: Anna Burn Offshore Design: Andy Perryman Anna Burn and the Offshore Team Dear reader As the season turns we recall Audre Lordews words in Second Spring: 'Earth is still sweet, for autumn teaches bearing' and we learn to move through the changeable conditions. With the fluidity of water, we find the cracks through which to travel. Your autumn issue of Offshore offers advice on tide apps (next page), which you may like to pair with insight into the Shipping Forecast (page 4) from the Met Office. We also team up with the RYA on page 11 to plan for motor cruising and to reduce condensation (page 14). Our Thames-based lifesavers offer escapism on page 8 and, finally, would you know what to do if you spotted a tear in your sail? Some sage advice awaits you on page 16. Though the days are shorter and the weather somewhat wilder, there is still much to be enjoyed before the fair-weather watersports enthusiasts among us close out the season. Enjoy – and remember to stay safe out there! Email: offshore@rnli.org.uk AUTUMN PICKS (FROM SHOP.RNLI.ORG) Shutterstock.comPhoto: Access routes can be blocked swiftly by an incoming tide. LIFESYSTEMS POCKET FIRST AID KIT This first aid kit is equipped to treat most minor injuries. Ideal for weekend walks, it features a loop on the back for easy attachment to belts and bags. RRP £15 Ref: RS2236403 (UK version) Ref: RS2236404 (EU version)
DR MICHAEL SHARPE SENIOR SCIENTIST, MET OFFICE
'Choose an app that is clear and pitched right for you,' says Sam. 'Does a picture of a waxing gibbous moon help you or does it complicate things? Plus check the tide app information is from a reliable source like the UK Hydrographic Office, the Marine Institute or the National Oceanography Centre.'
RNLI NATIONAL WATER SAFETY PARTNER
Aquapac
RNLI CREW MEMBER, TOWER LIFEBOAT STATION
Stuart oversees the cruising side of the RYA and is a motorboater of 17 years.
'Walk around a headland and the tide times can be significantly different' Sam warns that all tide apps have limitations: 'The tide time listed is only a prediction. Weather can affect the height of the tide. Plus you can only get tide times for a limited number of locations. Walk around a headland and the tide times can be significantly different.'
advanced protection and
SAM HUGHES Sam collaborates with the RYA and other governing bodies on water safety programmes, and is also a keen sailor.
help
you
Tide time apps can save your life if you’re coastal walking. Sam Hughes from the RNLI Water Safety Team has some tips on picking the right one.
RYA CRUISING MANAGER
A tide app can help keep you safe at the coast, but it’s wise to take other precautions. Sam advises: 'Speak to lifeguards or locals and look for clues – signage, a debris line of high tide, wet/dry sand. Always take a means of calling for help. Tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back. And if you’re in trouble in the water, float to live.' OUT MORE unexpectedly This offers will help ensure you can call for when most need it.
FIND
STORM SMITH-SUCKOO
STUART CARRUTHERS
find yourself in the water?
As well as volunteering at the busiest RNLI lifeboat station, Storm is a keen sailor and powerboater.
RNLI.org/BeachSafety AQUAPAC WATERPROOF VHF RADIO CASE, LARGE Is your VHF protected, should you
AFFORDABILITY:EASEOFUSE:RELIABILITY: ON THE RADAR MEETOUR
As senior scientist, Michael researches and applies new techniques to assess the quality of warning and forecast products.
In this issue of Offshore, quotes, practical advice and lifesaving tips are brought to you by:
Always wear your VHF on your person. Mini (30 x 11cm) RRP £27 Small (37 x 11cm) RRP £29 Large (44 x 13cm) RRP £30 Ref: RS2238204MINI/SML/LGE ZOGGS SWIMMING SAFETY BUOY Stay safe and be seen with this inflatable safety itemspocketbelt,adjustableFeaturingbuoy.anwaistandaninsideforpersonal(non-waterproof). RRP £30 Ref: RS2238123
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Today’s Shipping Forecast has come a long way since the early days of telegraph-sent warnings, communicated
The Shipping Forecast, which celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2017, is still going strong – but can you trust it? Dr Michael Sharpe, Senior Scientist at the Met Office, has the answer
Today, Met Office forecasters work 24/7, 365 days a year, using one of the world’s largest supercomputers to predict the weather. Right around the clock, teams of meteorologists look at observations, monitor charts and produce forecasts – including the famous Shipping Forecast.
According to Board of Trade records, a total of 133 ships were sunk during that storm and another 90 badly damaged, with an estimated death toll of around 800 people. Although the Welsh coast had a system of lighthouses and buoys at the time, maritime mortality remained higher than in any other occupation, with approximately one in five mariners dying at sea. Following this disaster, the Met Office began the first gale warning service, which we now know as the Shipping Forecast.
AND NOW, THE FORECASTSHIPPING…
HOW DOES THE SHIPPING FORECAST WORK?
YEARS 150+ 5
The Shipping Forecast continues to capture imaginations to passing ships via a system of cones and drums hoisted on masts around theWhilecoast.it was greatly regarded during those early days, the extent of the forecast's poetic appeal really came to the fore during its 150th anniversary celebrations. It has now become part of our national psyche, appreciated far beyond the audience for which it was primarily intended.
The roots of the UK's iconic Shipping Forecast are tied to tragedy. In October 1859, The Royal Charter, a steam clipper operating primarily as a passenger ship – and laden with more than £28M (in today’s money) of Australian gold – was torn to pieces in a storm just off the Welsh coast. Over 400 people lost their lives, and there were only 39 survivors.
· Sea state, which uses the Douglas wave height scale, ranging from smooth (less than 50 cm) to phenomenal (greater than 14m). The prevailing weather type, such as rain, fair, fog.
For example: 'Viking, North Utsire, South Utsire: south-west veering north-west, 4 to 6, occasional rain, moderate or good.'
They create a precise script which must be compressed into around 350 words, as there’s only 3 minutes allotted to read it all on live radio. It is broadcast four times a day, every day, on BBC Radio 4, which has been its home sinceAnyone1924.who has listened to the lilting tones of the Shipping Forecast will know that it is comprises four components:
· Visibility, which ranges from very poor (less than 1km) to good (greater than 9km). The forecast is split into 31 areas or zones, and they’re always read in the same order, starting with Viking and moving clockwise. The forecast is always given in the same format, beginning with the forecast area, followed by the wind direction, wind strength, sea state and weather type, and ending with visibility.
Although these broadcasts may be extremely familiar, have you ever wondered how accurate they are?
'No other weather format contains all that information in one go' The Shipping Forecast is a key tool in helping people make critical safety decisions at sea or around the coast. While we tend to think of it as a service for sailors, fishermen or insomniacs, it’s used by dog walkers, kayakers and canoeists – anyone who might be heading to the coast. There’s no other weather format that contains all that information in one go – especially in such a concise format. You don’t need a radio to check the Shipping Forecast either – it’s published online by the Met Office and the BBC, so this vital safety information is available to you at the click of a button. | DELIVERY COXSWAIN AT
SUPPORT AND FORMER
HASTINGS RNLI
HOW ACCURATE IS IT?
WATER SAFETY
' The Shipping Forecast has become part of our national psyche, appreciated far beyond the audience for which it was primarily intended' STAY SAFE
6
· Wind speed and direction, which is based on the Beaufort scale and an eight-point compass.
KNOWTONEED
STEVE WARNE
The Met Office takes forecast accuracy seriously and a team of scientists are employed to continuously monitor performance.Relativelyfew traditional observations, such as those reported by buoys, light ships and passing vessels, are available – you couldn’t rely on these methods alone to capture every wind speed that occurs, for example. A better picture is achieved by blending the latest supercomputer’s output with all the observations available at the time. Produced after the forecast, this 'truth data' is regarded as the best and most comprehensive approximation of the past state of the atmosphere. This automatic verification system runs continuously, day and night, producing ' With supercomputer sizes
continueaccuracythereconstantlynumericalincreasingcontinuallyandmodelsimproving,isnodoubtthatwillalsotoimprove'
MOREHEAR The Shipping Forecast is broadcast daily on BBC Radio 47 Words: Dr Michael Sharpe and Nikki McMullen Photos: Met Office, RNLI/(Hastings, Nigel Millard), Shutterstock.com hourly results which are fed back to operational meteorologists to help them prepare the text for the next forecast. Using this assessment method, Shipping Forecast wind speeds during 2021 were measured as exactly correct 85.9% of the time and correct to within one wind force on the Beaufort scale on 97.5% of occasions. A similar analysis of January2011 January2012 January2013 January2014 January2015 January2016 January2017 January2018 January2019 January2020 January2021 January2022 100%80%60%50%70%55%75%65%85%90%95% SHIPPING FORECAST ACCURACY known phenomenon that seemingly remains uncorrected by operational meteorologists. And the main reason for this is the strict wordcount limit, which often makes a full description impossible. It’s therefore common practice to remove the lowest prediction in a range when the word count is tooWithhigh.supercomputer sizes continually increasing and numerical models constantly improving, there is no doubt that accuracy will continue to improve overThetime.Shipping Forecast will always remain relevant but with all the changes that have occurred since it first began in 1867, will it still be recognisable in another 150 years? ■ the wind direction revealed an accuracy level of 85.6%, while the sea state component of the Shipping Forecast was exactly correct 76.6% of the time. These statistics were calculated by evaluating the performance of thousands of Shipping Forecast texts. The type of error is almost entirely over-estimation, a well-
Reading charts and understanding sea conditions is vital for all-weather lifeboat navigators
LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE: RIVER THAMES 8 Crew from three different lifeboat stations along the River Thames share what they love about their local area PADDLEBOARDING IS A UNIQUE WAY TO SEE THE RIVER'S MANY HISTORIC BRIDGES THE
The Hammersmith to Barnes Bridge loop is a lovely walk, lined with lots of ancient, well-known river pubs. Strandon-the-Green, an area between Kew Rail Bridge and Kew Road Bridge, has lots of great riverside restaurants and has a 0.9acre tree-covered island called Oliver's Island. I enjoy sitting next to the river and watching the world go by with a cup of tea; Chiswick is a really tranquil place. And there's plenty to enjoy in the town. I love taking my dog for a walk around Chiswick House and Gardens, an 18th-century villa set in 65 acres of beautiful historic gardens. For those who enjoy watersports, there's a kayak club based in our station. And you'll regularly see paddleboards and motorboats on this stretch of the river.
A boat trip gives a different perspective of iconic landmarks along the Thames
FIND OUT MORE visitthames.co.ukthamesactive.co.uk
Tower RNLI is in a really central location in London and, with so many attractions on offer, it's hard to choose my favourite. If I had to pick, a visit to the London dungeon, and a walk down and around
A great way to enjoy the Thames is via a boat trip; there are plenty of options to choose from, including night tours where you'll see some of London's 35 bridges illuminated.Iconnect best with water in this area through sailing and powerboating. You can learn to drive boats along the river, which is how I originally got into boating – but paddleboarding under and past some of London’s most iconic landmarks is also really popular. When I'm not in the river, I enjoy strolling along it, especially as the sun sets over London.
FIND OUT MORE chiswickcanoeclub.co.ukchiswickhouseandgardens.org.uk
9
Tower Lifeboat Station, in the heart of London
ELEUTHERA DU BREUIL CREW MEMBER AND TRAINEE CHISWICKHELM,LIFEBOAT STATION
Chiswick House and Gardens offers 65 acres to enjoy London Wetland Centre is formed of four disused Victorian reservoirs I've lived in Chiswick nearly all my life and really enjoy its green, open spaces.
The River Thames acts as a corridor for nature, so the area doesn't feel like London at all. The London Wetland Centre in Barnes is home to wildlife including otters and wading bird species such as green sandpipers.
STORM SMITH-SUCKOO CREW TOWERMEMBER,LIFEBOAT STATION
The Mall – the road leading from Buckingham Palace to Trafalgar Square –would definitely be on the list. The whole of South Bank from Bankside up to The London Eye is also really scenic and you'll find a host of different street performers along the river path.
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU Send us your tips for which stretches of coastline you’d like to see on these pages in future by emailing offshore@rnli.org.uk. Kayaking in a group is a safer way to paddle the river INSIDER INFO '… there is always something to do from visiting a local market to taking a trip to the theatre' STORM SMITH-SUCKOO CREW MEMBER, TOWER LIFEBOAT STATION '… it's close to the water, countryside and beaches, and it's also really easy to get into London' FI TRENT OPERATIONAL CREW, GRAVESEND LIFEBOAT STATION '… it has all the good things the city has to offer but it doesn't feel like you're living in London' ELEUTHERA DU BREUIL CREW MEMBER AND TRAINEE HELM, CHISWICK LIFEBOAT STATION FIND OUT MORE chiswickcanoeclub.co.uksustrans.org.uk/national-cycle-networkstandrewswatersports.co.ukreserves-a-z/cliffe-poolsrspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/ ■ Words: Miriam Habtesellasie Photos: RNLI/(Eleuthera du Breuil, Stephen Duncombe, Dave Greenfield), James Charles, Shutterstock.com, WWT I love where I live because ... 10 RSPB Cliffe Pools Nature Reserve LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE FI OPERATIONALTRENT CREW, GRAVESEND LIFEBOAT STATION
Gravesend has invested in its heritage quarter so there lots of great restaurants to choose from and we also have The Prom, which is a massive open space that hosts picnics and music festivals. Regular events and tours are also hel in Milton Chantry – Gravesham's oldest building. I feel really comfortable by the water, but rather than dipping into the Thames I tend to take a 20-minute drive to inland lakes, including the non-tidal Medway, St Andrew's Lake in Halling or Leybourne Lakes Country Park in Tonbridge and Malling where I'll indulge in my passion for open water swimming and also do a spot of paddleboarding. Fi Trent at LifeboatGravesendStation
Gravesend is located right in the middle of the countryside and is rich in both nature and history. You can find many places to take in both local wildlife and stunning views, including the RSPB Cliffe Pools Nature Reserve and Jeskyns Community Woodland. The 6-mile circular walk from Jeskyns has a lovely pub stop at the historic Leather Bottle in Cobham along the way – Charles Dickens used to drink here!
Each year, the RNLI receives call-outs from thousands of boats facing trouble in UK and Irish waters. So, we asked Stuart Carruthers, RYA Cruising Manager and motorboater of 17 years, for his tips on prepping for success at sea
While most boaters know it’s important to start with a plan, you must be prepared for the what-ifs. Tides and weather could prevent you from getting to where you’re headed – so what are your alternatives? Start preparations at least 2 days in advance, giving you time to monitor conditions, check equipment and get supplies – in case an emergency results in a longer trip than you’d planned.
Skippering your own motorboat on a leisurely trip is a dream for many but, without proper planning, it can quickly turn into a nightmare.
At sea, it’s not enough to rely on electronic navigation or communication. Your plans must ensure that you can call and get help quickly from anywhere – mobile phones are not designed for the marine environment. Properly set-up VHF radios (requiring a licence) cover UK and Irish coastlines, but journeys further afield may require longer-range satellite equipment. Before departing, make sure all your communications, including EPIRBs, are working – and that other people know your plans.
HANDS ON
EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED
'Safety is a state of mind, not a gadget'
11
Morning conditions can unexpectedly change: the sea breeze can build up and catch out unprepared boaters. Although force 3–4 winds may be forecasted, a sea breeze in the afternoon can take winds gusting to force 6–7 – that’s unmanageable for a lot of people, even in a motorised boat. We recommend using RYA SafeTrx – a free app and website that helps you stay ready. You can log your itinerary, upload vessel identification and download detailed personalisable checklists which include a sail plan.
PREPARE TO GO MOTOR CRUISING
KEEP IN TOUCH
HANDS ON
Whatever your current level of skill, acknowledge that you will have limits – when people start courses, they realise just how much they didn't know they didn't know.
'At sea, it's not enough to rely on communication'navigationelectronicor
Learning how to be self-reliant at sea will help prepare you for any eventuality
The RYA runs motorcruising courses for every level. Some specific ones, such as navigation, can even be done remotely online. We’re firm believers that boaters should be self-reliant. RYA courses take you through things like personal safety, seamanship, dealing with emergency situations and boat handling. At advanced level you learn how to skipper a motorcruiser safely on coastal and offshore passages, by day and by night.
GET TRAINED TO BE SELF-RELIANT
12
• Build your plan in advance, using charts and books. • Be certain your engine’s serviced; a lot of them are fairly sophisticated machinery. • Have appropriate working alarms for carbon monoxide and smoke, especially if you have a petrol engine. • Don’t forget to have proper kit for yourself – even if it’s warm onshore, it can get cold out on the water. • Keep emergency equipment such as lifejackets in service. • Gain training and experience through RYA and Irish Sailing courses. • Pack spare kill cords for small powerboats. • Check weather regularly, including tides, winds and especially windagainst-tide – be particularly cautious of headlands. TOP TIPS STORYYOURSHARE Offshore is a community to share our experiences and broaden our horizons. Do you have a story you can share about ways you’re advancing a watersport, or about a time things went wrong on the water? If so, please email offshore@rnli.org.uk. Words: Samantha Symonds and Stuart Carruthers Photos: RNLI/(Andrew Parish, Barbara Szente), RYA, Shutterstock.com STUART CARRUTHERS | RYA CRUISING MANAGER 13 HANDS ON FIND OUT MORE Find courses in the UK at rya.org.uk Find courses in Ireland at sailing.ie ■ National governing bodies Irish Sailing and the RYA offer training to learn safer motorboating
Condensation can be a major problem onboard boats – it causes damage and discomfort
Condensation can cause problems that reduce the longevity of your boat and impact quality time spent onboard. But there are some practical things you can do to prevent and manage cabin moisture and temperature fluctuations
HOW TO: INCONDENSATIONREDUCEYOURBOAT
RYA Cruising Manager Stuart Carruthers has extensive boat maintenance knowledge and offers this advice: 'The best thing to do to manage condensation is to make sure you've got plenty of air circulating through the cabin. Ventilation on boats should work without letting water'Don’tin. block any ventilation that's put in by the manufacturer. It may mean you've sometimes got a bit of a draught in the boat, but if you do block it up you could cause problems.
'It’s difficult to get away with condensation – if you’ve got boats on moorings, they’ll be at whatever ambient temperature it is outside.'
14
Boats are especially susceptible to damage caused by condensation –from mould and mildew to structural damage. Day-to-day cabin use such as drying clothes, cooking and even just breathing, puts warm water vapour into the air. When temperatures cool, the droplets collect on surfaces that can then rust, warp or go mouldy.
'Hot air carries more moisture than cold air, so don’t leave the boat sealed up on a warm humid day. I leave lockers ajar and pop my cushions on end when I leave the boat so that the air can circulate on both sides.
Words: Samantha Symonds
Prioritise good ventilation throughout your boat. You need to get warm air that's high in moisture content out of the cabin, and replace it with air that's cooler with less moisture in it. Lift cushions overnight so air can circulate. Never use the oven or cooker as a heat source. LPG warms air and pumps water into it. When turned off, it'll cool and that moisture will condense. Where boats are insulated there are fewer cold surfaces for forming condensation. Make sure any kit onboard that might absorb moisture – such as foul-weather kit – is cleaned in fresh water and dried thoroughly. Salt attracts water, causing dampness that can contribute to future condensation. Damp things can also get mildewy. Some people leave electrical dehumidifiers on their boat which drain out in the sink or can be plugged in on shore. There are even chemical dehumidifiers which soak up the water. The first priority, however, is to focus on ventilation.
Photos: RNLI/(Nigel Millard, Nathan Williams), Shutterstock.com KEEP AIR INSULATE,CIRCULATINGDON’THEAT
RINSE SALTWATER AWAY TRY DEHUMIDIFIERS 15
SAILOR AND RYA CRUISING MANAGER STUART CARRUTHERS SHARES HIS TOP TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR BOAT DRY AND WARM.
If air can't circulate moisture will collect Never use the oven or cooker as a heat source
Washing salt water off kit preserves its longevity and helps reduce condensation onboard
The perfect storm of poor sea conditions and multiple issues onboard made for a challenging shout requiring experience and courage. Establishing a tow in a storm at night is no mean feat, so RNLI lifesavers train and practise their skills regularly.
Firstly, remain calm and examine the problem – situations can escalate when quick, unplanned decisions are made. Do not bring your sail down (A) – you could lose control of your vessel or make the tear worse. You can still use your sail if it develops a small tear. Leave your sail up and sew on a patch, use a sticky Dacron patch, or use spinnaker tape to temporarily fix it and prevent it from getting worse (C). If the main sail rips, put a reef in. This isolates the tear, allowing you to consider whether you need to make your way back to shore or you're able to carry on with your passage. Before you hoist your sail, make sure your reefing lines are free, which will ensure you don’t put pressure on the leech. The person winching the sail must watch the sail as it goes up, making sure it doesn’t get caught on rigging or become caught on any of the deck, mast or boom fittings. Always inspect your laminate sails before you set sail as they can start to fail if they delaminate. It’s worth having these checked by a professional during the winter season to prevent problems at sea. And if ever in doubt, do call for help (B).
Imagine you’re cruising along with a couple of friends out at sea. The conditions have been perfect so far, but you notice that the wind is starting to pick up. Suddenly, you spot a small tear in the fabric of your sail. What do you do next?
While sailing at night in July 2021, a crew of three ran into a storm with gusts of wind reaching up to 100mph. Due to the extreme weather, their sail tore in multiple places – as did their rigging – and they lost their navigation. There was nothing else to do but call theTheCoastguard.Selseycrew launched their all-weather lifeboat (ALB) at 2.52am and made their way to the yacht, 5 miles south-east of Selsey Bill. Arriving on scene just after 3am, they quickly established a tow in the dark. Then information came in that one of the sailors had sustained a head injury. In heaving swell, a volunteer crew member was safely transferred onto the vessel to provide casualty care while the ALB towed the yacht into Chichester Harbour, where the sailor was transferred into the care of waiting paramedics. ■ For more advice on how you can stay safe at the coast, RNLI.org/KnowTheRisks.visit
DO YOUSCENARIO ABC WHAT WOULD YOU DO NEXT?
Wright)AndyStation,LifeboatRNLI/(SelseyPhotos:
RNLIANDYANSWEREXPERTWRIGHTAREALIFESAVING SOUTH WEST
TORN SAIL OFF SELSEY BILL
Leave the sail up and assess the damage, then check the weather and decide whether to return to shore.
Call for help.
MANAGER,
FIND OUT MORE
Take the sail down immediately, because sailing with a damaged sail can be dangerous.
OS/09/2216
