Kermudjon
regular
Reged: 14/02/2007
Posts: 1438
Loc: Essex
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We spent a lovely afternoon on Saturday at Ipswich Haven with friends. At least it would have been nice except for a group of young children (all under 10) in inflatables buzzing round with outboard motors going more or less continuously until we went out for a meal at 7.30, and then again until we left midday Sunday.
It was no surprise to find they had all come from large craft that looked like capsized steam-irons occupied by loud-mouthed parents looking on approvingly. The marina staff didn't seem bothered in spite of comments from us, though one or two yachtsmen tried to discourage them, including a visiting Dutchman.
Civilised harbours in this country normally ban this behaviour, to everyone's benefit, and I acknowledge we have often been bothered by noise abroad, but with the current glorification of the internal combustion engine where is one to go for relaxation if this is to increase? This is not a rant against children. We have always enjoyed watching them crabbing, rowing, swimming and all the usual things, but I don't think there is much hope for a decent yachting environment if they are encouraged to cause such a disturbance in the course of their recreation.
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Far away is near at hand in images of elsewhere
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flaming
regular
Reged: 24/03/2004
Posts: 1885
Loc: Southampton
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having grown up around Ipswich, and spent my impressionable youth actually thinking that that town's nightlife was "good" and the behaviour of the local youths "normal" I can confirm that the average muppet in that sorry excuse for a town is very much in love with the massive 70hp that his Nova produces. So much so in fact that he channels 65hp of it into a stereo that makes buying new racing sails look cheap.
So it doesn't especially supprise me that you had an ignorant youngster problem in Ipswich Docks to be honest!
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You never know, I might be right!
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srp
regular
Reged: 10/05/2006
Posts: 1355
Loc: IoW
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This happens sometimes on the Medina - the parents like to sit on their boats drinking and talking while the kids buzz up and down the river out of their earshot and eyesight (but within everybody elses). Some of them are extremely young to be let loose in powered craft.
I think we are supposed to accept that this is normal responsible adult behaviour. Personally I call it downright ignorant.
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www.corribee.org
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chuckaduck
regular
Reged: 01/05/2006
Posts: 1744
Loc: k all the thieving scroats up
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Apart from the nuicance factor which doesnt bother me too much
I do object to parents leaving their kids at an age too young ie less than 16 to their own devices in a dangerous environment ie water,I certainly would not let my son of 13 to be on the water on his own it is not because I am a whingeing pom but he most definitly could not deal with a life threatining crisis.
Apart from this as his father I am responsible for his well being untill he becomes of age and as such i have this reponsibility to bear
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www.communitycctvwatch.com
well why not !
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Centreboarder
regular
Reged: 20/12/2005
Posts: 569
Loc: S.W London
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And presumably no lifejackets or killcords in use?
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paulburton44
regular
Reged: 29/07/2004
Posts: 584
Loc: the Wash
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My kids love to play in the tender.......but no outboard...always with lifejackets....
Are we talking planning speed in ribs etc or 2.5hp roundtail dinghies
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sailorman
regular
Reged: 21/05/2003
Posts: 12270
Loc: East Coast
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hopefully not
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Harwich Tides 2009.
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/2109667/an/0/page/1#2109667
My Son Has a "Cinder 22" for Sale new Yanmar 1GM fitted with about 10 hrs use
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doug748
regular
Reged: 01/10/2002
Posts: 1029
Loc: Plymouth
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Yep, the parents are all too happy to let them sod off and annoy anybody except themselves. Seems to be becoming the norm; tho I was pleased to see a group were given short shrift in St Peter Port last summer.
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Kermudjon
regular
Reged: 14/02/2007
Posts: 1438
Loc: Essex
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Actually one had a kill-cord but it wasn't the engine I wanted to kill.
The point I wanted to make was; is it ever ethical to take one's pleasure at someone else's disadvantage/expense/discomfort?
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Far away is near at hand in images of elsewhere
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john_morris_uk
regular
Reged: 03/07/2002
Posts: 3775
Loc: Plymouth UK
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Quote:
I do object to parents leaving their kids at an age too young ie less than 16 to their own devices in a dangerous environment ie water,I certainly would not let my son of 13 to be on the water on his own it is not because I am a whingeing pom but he most definitly could not deal with a life threatining crisis.
Well that makes us completely irresponsible parents.
Last year our son (then age 13) graduated to using the outboard. The previous few years he and his sister have rowed everywhere. He is now chief taxi driver for when we want to go ashore, gash runs, messages to other boats we are sailing with asking them to come for drinks, fetching of milk, bread etc etc.
He always wears a lifejacket, always wears the kill cord, and is NOT ALLOWED to just drive the dinghy for fun and annoy people. The downside is that he is often looking for an excuse to do an errand, and we often have to say 'no thank you'!
Giving children independence when they have shown that they can be responsible is part of their growing up.
Sometimes we suggest that they take a copy of the chart and go and explore up a creek and tell us what they find. They draw and make notes of what they see, and they take the hand held VHF to keep in touch. They find such exploring very exciting, and often resort to oars when it gets too shallow. They know to go up on a rising tide, and to watch the tidal height to avoid being stranded. They also know that children in dinghys are very annoying to people who are enjoying peace and quiet, and I believe that they act very responsibly. An easy punishment is removing his dinghy driving opportunities.
The dinghy is a 3.1M avon with a 3.3 hp OB.
I am annoyed as anyone with kids who buzz about aimlessly, but I don't think we are irresponsible for letting our 13 year old drive the tender when he has a job to do.
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“When you discover that you are riding a dead horse,
the best strategy is to dismount.”
Edited by john_morris_uk (11/06/2007 19:27)
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