Email to a friend
Print versionRYA Seamanship for Sea Anglers
Get your free Boat Operators licence with every box of Cornflakes!
Sorry I’m joking here, but at the same time it may come as a surprise that to operate a boat in UK coastal waters... no licence, no experience and no insurance is needed! Having spent a lot of time at sea, I’ve seen plenty of guys who jump onboard, put the throttle forward and tear arse around the water being a danger not only to themselves and their passengers, but to other water users who are unfortunate enough to be in their path.
I was recently bass fishing on a secret mark with a friend. It’s about 60ft deep but is walled by shallow rocks on three sides. These rocks come up from 60ft and at low water they break the surface! The tide runs at nearly 4 knots and the routine is (if you’re experienced and have big enough balls) that you drift between the rocks, casting plugs over the shallow rocks either side. At the end of the drift you have to quickly stop and turn the boat back out before you hit the big rock at the end! The bassing is fantastic but is not for the faint hearted or inexperienced boat handler. The last time I fished this mark we were catching bass when, all of a sudden a small warrior 165 arrived in the distance. Before I had time to safeguard our mark, the boat had opened its throttles and charged towards us! The driver, clearly not aware of the dangers around him, went over the top of the shallow rocks I was fishing to reach my position. It was lucky the tide was high - he couldn’t have had more than 18 inches of water underneath his hull! 2 hours previously, the rocks, at the speed he was travelling, would have trashed his boat for free!
I know this is an extreme case of stupidity but I wonder how many other boat owners have little or no “real” experience or knowledge and are self taught? Water, boats and inexperience are one of the most deadly combinations!
The RYA (Royal Yachting Association) is Britain’s national body for all forms of boating, including boats used for angling; they provide training from simple boat handling to commercial licences for charter skippers. RYA training has a worldwide reputation. The RYA run courses for private boat anglers like Powerboat, Day Skipper & Costal skipper of varying degrees, all include lessons in navigation, weather, rules of the road and boat handling. They also run courses on VHF radio, Sea Survival, Radar, First Aid and Diesel Engine Maintenance – basically everything a boat owner would need to know to own and operate safely. All courses are run to a standard syllabus by qualified instructors who are experts in their field. Taking a practical boat handling or theory course builds on your knowledge and enhances your whole boating experience, making the sport of boat angling more enjoyable and safer for all involved – unlike my untrained, rock-hopping fellow boat owner above!
In the past the RYA’s publications were generally geared towards Yachtsmen but this year the RYA has recognised the size and importance of sea angling and is now developing a range of publications dedicated especially to UK and European sea anglers who either own their own boats, or boat fish aboard privately owned boats. The first in this series is “Seamanship for Sea Anglers” by Andrew Simpson.
Seamanship for Sea Anglers is a full colour, instructional handbook covering all the aspects of boat handling for the angler who likes to fish afloat. It is simple, clear, highly informative and well written. All explanations are accompanied by simple but detailed diagrams.
Chapters include:
- Choosing and preparing the right boat
- Equipment
- Rope work
- Boat handling
- Navigation
- Safety & emergencies
- Weather
- Communications
- Maintenance
Well, what can I say! It’s about time somebody wrote some educational boating books by anglers for anglers. Although I’m a RYA qualified (and Department of Transport commercially endorsed) Yachtmaster Offshore licensed skipper, I found this book to be an informative read. Aimed at the total boat angling novice, it will suit those who have little or no boat handling experience, but it will also suit those self-taught experienced boat anglers who need a recap! Although this book is no substitute for a proper RYA boat handling theory and practical course, it’s better than gaining your knowledge/experience of boat handling free with Cornflakes!
Seamanship for Sea Anglers is the first in a new series of angling titles by the RYA – watch this space for more in 2009! Seamanship for Sea Anglers would make an ideal Christmas present for any boat owner or boat angler.
For more information check out www.rya.org.uk
del.icio.us
Digg
Technorati
 Fishing Rods Fishing Reels Rod Rests Fishing Hooks Rig Components Accessories DVice & Leads |
Plugs, Lures Lines & Leaders Shore Fishing Rigs Feathers & Lure Rigs Luggage Clothing & Hats Deals |
BERKLEY FRENZIED POPPER £3.91 Each TIDEWATER LURE RIGS 83p Each 7" WSF Jelly Worms Get ready for the new Plugging Season, Buy 3 get one of them for free, Blue Pilchard Divers WSF NOW STOCKS SAKUMA HOOKS
SALTWATER FLIES FROM FULLING MILL FROM £1.25 BACK IN STOCK PENN CAPTIVA CV2 REELS BACK IN STOCK SALT / CAPTIVA SPINNING COMBO DEAL BACK IN STOCK ABU CARDINAL 304FD PRICE: £37.18 |
