Beach Fishermen conflict

I agree with many other posters in that its a big sea with room enough for different people to enjoy their sports. Thus, I think that maybe more consideration should have been given to avoiding the fishermen. Not that I agree with the throwing of lead weights. Technically and legally I not sure but I would think they (fishermen) would have a strong case.

I've never been a member of a club where sailing so close to the beach is possible but what does surprise me is that the club does not have any special rules or guidance. One of my current clubs (a lake) has certain areas where boats must keep at least 30m from the shore to give the fishermen room. That is not the entire shore, just about 30% of the shore. They can fish happily, we can sail happily - we all go home happy without arguments. Surprising that the OPs club does not have similar rules but maybe they should now think about introducing some to avoid similar situations (e.g. all racing boats to stay at least xx distance from the shore). You might not be able to dodge as much tide but everybody would be in the same boat (sorry - I could not resist that one).

Ian

Edited by Deimos

 Our beach does have bouys that mark swimming areas and we don't stray into these areas. The area without bouys in front of our club is for the sailors, the incident with the fishermen happened in this area. Beach based sailing clubs do not have the whole ocean to race in as suggested by some of you. It does seem that most (not all) fishermen think they have the god given right to fish where ever they want to and resent giving a few hundred yards of beach to anyone else. Yes lets all get along and co-operate and let the fishermen fish everywhere and anyone who interferes deserves to be outcast and assaulted.

Bit of a rant I know but I'm over 50 so it's allowed OK

Originally posted by GK.LaserII  It does seem that most (not all) fishermen think they have the god given right to fish where ever they want

I think you will find that legally, they do have the right to cast from public beaches, whereas legally, sailors don't have the right to wilfully destroy other people's property. 

When I was about fourteen, I was in a Mirror on Draycote Water, being chased by 2 men in a fishing boat.  They were shouting to us that they were going to kill us!  This was quite good fun for a while, until the wind started to drop, so we headed in as quick as we could.  The fisherman came in after us and moored on the safety boat pontoon, and came looking for us.  We went straight to the club secretary who was a large, formidable, Scots woman, who scared the two men away and saved us from certain death!

Originally posted by JimC Originally posted by Stefan Lloyd whereas legally, sailors don't have the right to wilfully destroy other people's property. Exactly so. Some of the attitudes here appall me. Now imagine instead of throwing the odd clod of earth our fisherman record sail numbers and call the Police: in fact worse still imagine one of them is a policeman. The Police turn up at the club with allegations of criminal damage. And also consider Rule 69.1 "Action by a Protest Committee" (a) When a protest committee, from its own observation or a report received from any source, believes that a competitor may have committed a gross breach of a rule, good manners or sportsmanship, or may have brought the sport into disrepute, it may call a hearing. I think your day has suddenly gone downhill. If you won't respect other people's hobbies What should they respect yours?

 

I think the point has been missed here Jim, He didn't do it on purpose.  It is very hard to judge how far a fisherman casts out especially with the tide taking his line as well.  Throwing Things such as lead and stones etc is VERY DANGEROUS what happens if you get knocked out and drown!!!! Or even worse they damage your boat!   Having said that I don’t agree with people antagonising the fisherman, leave them alone they have just as much right to be there as us, also anyone that chucks stones at your boat is just as likely to come back at night and bash the Fu£k out of it!!