A novice sailor? Boy, they got that right

3:21 PM Thu 29 Apr 2010 GMT

'RNLI explain a few home truths to the intrepid skipper'

Every once in a while comes a story that simply defies belief. This one probably belongs more with the Ripley's Believe It Or Not file.

It's entirely up to you, dear reader, believe it or not!

His name has not been made public, but his chances of winning a role as a navigator are down to two - incredibly slim and none!

You see, this unnamed fellow was, in his own mind, undertaking a grand adventure, circumnavigating Great Britain.

Problem was his voyage was taking him around an island, an island 4.9 kilometres wide and just 61 kilometres from down town London.

According to The Sun newspaper in the UK, a lifeboat went out to rescue this intrepid sailor when he lost power off Elmley Marshes, on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent. This island could hardly be termed as being in the open sea - it is in the Thames estuary!

Our skilled boater purchased his vessel on-line; it boasted a 20hp engine and a 20-litre fuel tank. Rescuers were informed by the 'skipper' (and I use the term very loosely indeed) that as he could drive his car from Kent to Southampton on a single tank of fuel, he figured he could do the same by water.

Charts on board? - No, he was using a road map.

Powering around Britain NO- the Isle of Sheppey YES -

Just like this one, the little coastal island with the red dot on it that is the Isle of Sheppy. He come right around the Island and was headed back up the ever narrowing Swale.

Provisions on board? - None.

Communications? - Sure, a VHF radio, problem was the 'skipper' did not know how to use it.

One of the rescuers, Tom Ware, said the vessel's owner did not even know what navigational charts were. 'His general principal of navigation was to keep the land on his right - except he did not realise he was going around an island,' Tom said. (You would have though he'd see the cars on the M2 in the distance getting bigger.)

The local Coast Guard explained to the man that engine size and fuel consumption differs markedly from motor cars.

They also pointed out that the route by water was much longer. Sensibly, they informed the brave seaman that the best way to get to Southampton was by train.

Did he take the advice? - Apparently not, for he informed the Coast Guard that he would re-fuel and resume his voyage.

'He asked us if he should turn left or right when he emerged from the Swale (the strip of water separating the mainland from the Isle of Sheppey),' the Coastie said.

Did he make it to Southampton? - We don't know, but if you see a small motor cruiser seemingly wandering somewhat aimlessly around Margate, you might ask if he's looking for Southampton.

by Bob Wonders

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