Gludy
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Reged: 19/08/2001
Posts: 6343
Loc: Brecon, Wales
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In a situation where I boat has to run for cover from a storm to a port - is it possible for entry to the port to be refused in what is an emergency situation?
Are there any rules/practice/etc concerning this?
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Paul
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deisel
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Reged: 30/01/2008
Posts: 57
Loc: rye
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I Have Heard Of This Happening But If I Thought My Boat Or Crew Were In Danger I Would Go In Any Way, Safety First, Any Port In A Storm!!!!
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pir8ped
regular
Reged: 08/05/2008
Posts: 10
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Sometimes, the entrance to a port is more dangerous than out at sea.
Someone bought a boat from me in Devon, sailed it to some port just east of the Isle of Wight, and tried to get into the port ( it was blowing force 6, he'd been out for over 24 hours, and he was tired ). The harbour master told him to turn back, due to breaking waves on the sand bar at the entrance. He refused and got stuck on the sand bar. A life-boat pulled him back out to sea, and as soon as they let go the rope, he went back to the harbour, stuck on the sand bar again, and this time, the boat was broken in two. He survived.
I had survived several gales at sea in that boat, and it was perfectly sound. It could have survived more. He should have hove to, at sea - although I grant this is a little harder if you don't have sail!
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TigaWave
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Reged: 17/12/2004
Posts: 1555
Loc: Buckland Monachorum
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In a nutshell yes, but only if the harbour authority considers there is greater danger in entering.
I have had to enter a private harbour as a yacht in distress (broken steering) they weren't happy but had to allow us entry.
On the Portuguese coasts subject to Atlantic swells ports are often closed, trouble is you are advised to contact them by radio before entry but I know of at least one incident where there was no clear English information available to an English skipper. He entered and encountered dangerous breaking seas in the entrance channel (the swell was in excess of 10m at sea) he made it through and was greeted by the police and arrested. For some time he was given the impression the boat would be impounded.
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Gludy
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Reged: 19/08/2001
Posts: 6343
Loc: Brecon, Wales
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So would I - and would stay there no matter who shouted at me but I dod not know the law or the protocol.
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Paul
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mikef
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Reged: 16/05/2001
Posts: 8316
Loc: chesham, bucks
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I would say that if the harbour or marina is privately owned they can do what they want. Certainly I've heard of boats being refused entry into marinas in the Med during a storm. In the Balearics in July/Aug there are far more boats at anchor than could possibly be accomodated in harbours and marinas. Personally, I've been towed out of a marina in Ibiza against my wishes when I could'nt start my engines and been unceremoniously dumped outside so I could well imagine the same marina refusing entry to incoming boats in a storm
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Gludy
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Reged: 19/08/2001
Posts: 6343
Loc: Brecon, Wales
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All that is very interesting - I agree that entrances can be dangerous but if you need to escape before the storm hits you could enter sagely just to get sanctuary but I imagine sailing in a few hours before the storm maybe more of a problem for the harbour authorities.
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Paul
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Gludy
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Reged: 19/08/2001
Posts: 6343
Loc: Brecon, Wales
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So its seems that some countries have different rules?
Should there not be a clear international code?
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Paul
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mikef
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Reged: 16/05/2001
Posts: 8316
Loc: chesham, bucks
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I don't know that there are rules as such. We Brits have a tradition of helping other mariners in trouble but in other countries it's every man for himself
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Chrusty1
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Reged: 27/02/2008
Posts: 361
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Quote:
I don't know that there are rules as such. We Brits have a tradition of helping other mariners in trouble but in other countries it's every man for himself
Absolutely Mike! It is the most important unwritten rule of the sea. I think even in foreign lands, most would go along with that? 
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