Yachting and Boating World forums: Buoy with heavy floating line, 13nm N of Holyhead

On northern edge of TSS. in 50m of water, over/very close to charted wreck.

We had just altered course to cross the TSS, under power and were just stowing the mainsail when the autopilot alarm sounded and boat lurched. We discovered that the boat appeared to be anchored to the seabed but by the stern: tide was running out of the Irish Sea and it was a jumbled seastate with flukey wind, showers and failing light.

We could see an orange mooring buoy, just breaking the surface with the sea streaming past it. A thick line from it to the aft end of our boat was just visible, obviously straining as it held a 12 ton ketch by the tail. Boat hooks, knife on pole would not reach: it was deemed unsafe to go over the side or attempt to use the inflatable.

With some trepidation the engine was re-started, having been shutdown immediately after the boat was fouled. The prop was found to be still producing some thrust. After some discussion and the feeling that we had nothing to lose, a sharp burst of full astern was applied. Luck was on our side. The thick line with a small pot buoy sprung loose [presumably having been locked between skeg and rudder], and we were free.

The whole incident lasted about 25 minutes in failing light. Holyhead CG were kept in the picture: they had brought the RNLI to standby and had just called for a launch when we informed them that we were now clear of what we had initially taken to be fishing gear. I believe that it may have been a mooring put down by a dive boat.

We were very unlucky to catch such a mooring line so far off the coast. Should such buoys be marked on charts, or positions be promulated by Notice to Mariner action, or ....? If we had suffered damage [still waiting for out-of-water inspection], who is responsible?

Position and details of markings on buoy passed to CG.

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