Tom Cunliffe Describes How to Navigate the Lock at MDL Hythe Marina

Navigating to MDL Hythe Marina and using the lock.

[@daletoms1814]

Thank you MDL and Mr. Cunliffe! My home port made easy for visitors. A great place to visit and base your boat. I thoroughly recommend the food (and drink) at the Galley! CHEERS!

[@ratusbagus]

Thanks for that Tom. Never been in there. I couldn't visualise the plastic covered ropes. A vid paints a thousand words.

[@martyn101101]

Great to see Ros make a rare appearance.

[@MrTonypurnell]

Excellent safety point regarding RADAR and engine fumes Tom

[@williamturner1517]

A right fine ship and a right fine crew.

[@deborahtaylor9432]

Is this same procedure with sail boat please

[@51WCDodge]

I have seen a hire boat where those on board fixed the lines to drop down. The lock keeper pointed this out, a got a load of drunken abuse. So he went in and dropped the level.

[@James-cv5tx]

Sadly , you'd fail a RYA PB2 assessment, as you weren't wearing your kill cord. Disappointing!

[@daletoms1814]

Dear James, I find it sad to believe that you would openly criticize a local legend! Although you are quite correct regarding the kill cord, these measures are set to ensure the LEAST able of us are the MOST protected I speak with the full authority of having gained a NEBOSH in health and safety. For a master mariner such as Tom and indeed experts in their field, there becomes a point where experience is more valuable than qualification and at that point the ablity to access risk based on "Likelihood over Severity" is more valuable to all concerned than a piece of paper that some people hold in overly high esteem. My point being that my 16 year old son has recently passed him RYA PB2. Does that mean that I allow him to skipper our 8.5m 50 knt RIB? No a ridiculous proposition, he whilst technically able is clearly lacking the experience that enables him to gauge the associated risk. I care not what your PB2 says. At low speed entering a familiar lock with crew on board, and life jackets on, would you please explain the CONSEQUENCE by gauging the RISK and LIKLEHOOD of not wearing the kill cord? If you answer is what happens if Toms was suddenly struck by a meteor, which made his hand open the throttle wide, and consequently caused him to be thrown over board, then i ask you to simple remember LIKLEHHOOD! I thoroughly endorse ALL of the RYA training initiatives and qualifications as a base point to build your own experience....

[@PhilbyFavourites]

@@daletoms1814 local legend or not wearing a kill cord is a wise move when operating the vessel. Your Nebosh tells me your workplace value your safety orientated view point. However I can give you many many instances where kill cord wearing whilst slow speed manoeuvrings has saved the person and the kit. So don’t leap down the throat of someone pointing out a keen eyed safety assessment. Being blunt - I wouldn’t fail him. But I would ask for his reasoning why he chose (specifically chose, rather than forgot)not to wear a kill cord with the engine running. There are many ways and means of inculcating safety, sadly us Brits don’t take kindly to being told what to do in certain circumstances. Happy and safe boating.