Published: 20 April 2026
By: Pete Sullivan
The club organised a Boat Handling familiarisation session on the club RHIB John W. Flo Esther and Matteo attended with Diver Cox Assesor PJ.
The day started with a full walk around the boat getting to know all the parts of the boat and some nautical terminology. Followed by a full prep of the boat before calling for a tow to the slipway.
For Flo who is already an experienced boat handler this was to refresh some skills get to understand the workings of the new Garmin GPS, and pass on some his knowledge and skills. For Esther and Matteo this was a brand new experience and took to boat handling really well.
As soon as the boat left the slipway training began, learning to come alongside casting off using ropes on cleats to tie up. Turning on a warp, and holding the boat still in a current. Then the fun began leaving the confines of the Harbour and out to open sea, to get use to coxing the boat at speed and turns etc. PJ called Solent Coastguard to alert them of our intentions where we would be and the time we’d be in the open sea. All the crew really enjoyed the high speed coxing and all too soon it was time to head in.
As we headed in the radio burst into life where another vessel had hit the DSC button showing a vessel in distress with a man overboard, this was near Brighton Marina so no need for us to jump into action. PJ decided to hold off radioing the Coastguard as they were busy.
On the way to the Marina just when we thought it was all over PJ took us into the marina pontoons and made us all do 3 point turns, quite scary when there’s not a lot of room to manoeuvre. But everyone completed the skill without hitting anything, and just when you think I’ve done that PJ makes you do it again. Matteo got to practice coming alongside so we could fuel up the boat, and Esther had the task of getting the boat back on the trailer both skills carried out perfectly.
Then off to the trailer park wash the boat down and the engine before putting the cover on. A great day had by all a lot of skills learnt and practiced. PJ also rang the coastguard to inform them we were all back safe as the Mayday was still in full swing on the radio Sent from my iPhone
