MAREX TO THE RESCUE

Monitoring Ch16 turned a routine return journey into a rescue mission for Richard Hall

- Richard Hall

Safety on board is paramount at all times. To congratulate my son when he bought a small RIB last year we bought him a waterproof rucksack with flares, whistle, LED torch, first aid kit and handheld VHF to act as a grab bag. A really useful item to carry in case of emergencies. We also bought him a couple of beers...

On our Marex 310 we carry a grab bag with identical contents, but hope never to use it. We also have a fixed VHF onboard, and always monitor Channel 16 when on the move. It makes for an interesting listen as you discover whether the coastguard helicopter is up in the air training, or what is happening around the Solent. I have never needed to call or respond myself – until recently.

We had just had a lovely weekend in Poole after collecting our boat from Wessex Marine where she’d been for servicing, antifouling and a complete polish. Our four-year-old boat looked brand new again, and as my wife drove the car back to our home marina to meet me, I set off for our mooring in Christchurch.