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From: Roy P (no email)
Date: Wed Feb 07 2007 - 00:31:37 EST
On Tuesday 06 February 2007 10:34, stuart crawford wrote:
> As far as I am aware these are cat1 requirements which all New Zealand
> boats need to meet for sailing overseas. Foreign boats are not tied to this
> regiment. Though our government tried to enforce cat1 compliance with
> foreign boats, they had their hands slapped for it by the international
> courts.
> It would however seem silly to me to be sailing offshore without a 406
> EPIRB, especially off the New Zealand coast.
Stuart.. if I remember correctly, that court battle was partially induced by a
very experienced sailor who was sailing using traditional techniques.
He arrived in NZ and was not legally allowed to clear out since he lacked some
equipment including an EPRIB.
The implication was that someone with no experience, who had all the gear
required by the NZ regulations, was safer than a sailor with decades of
experience. That I'm sure you will agree is absurd.
I agree with your statement about EPIRBS.
The bad side is when people rely on it as something other than a last resort.
"I don't have to bother taking responsibility for myself.. someone else can
always save me"
That of course doesn't mean you shouldn't have one on board..
In the UK alone....In 2005 there were 300 RNLI rescue lifeboat callouts due to
engine cooling water failures. Many of them were simple problems that could
have been easily and quickly fixed, had the crew had any clue about the
engines in their boats. Instead they call for an expensive rescue and if the
weather was bad, put the lifeboat crew at risk...
It also happens with other equipment in other pursuits.
A couple years ago, I was driving down a remote bush road on Vancouver Island
and came upon a group conducting a Search and Rescue training exercise.
It seems that with the increase in cellphone use, more and more people who
lack the skills, and better judgement, see cell phones as a safety net that
helps them avoid having to learn how to survive on their own in the bush.
I'd find it appalling to even consider risking someone elses life, because of
my possible lack of judgement and skill.
Regards,
Roy
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