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It’s interesting to see people’s behaviour when out on the water – for some reason which I can’t fathom, a level of goodwill is often apparent – a level that is not always found when travelling on land. Maybe there is no boating equivalent for ‘road rage’?
It is commonplace when passing another boat to give them a wave (and to expect one back) in fact it almost seems mandatory, and long may it be so. I see it all the time from the children we take out on the Maritime Museum scow who love to wave and call out to any passing craft. Is it because we are sharing an experience that we’re enjoying or maybe because we need their recognition – just in case we get into difficulties and need their aid and assistance?
The fact that this happens most probably reflects the gregarious nature of human beings – wonderful. I’ve also found that for boaties, help is almost always forthcoming when a bit of strife arises. How often do you see someone having trouble getting their boat back onto its trailer and bystanders pitching in to help? I think we can put it down to an unwritten law of the sea – if we see someone in difficulty, then we are obliged to come to their aid. I also find when working on my boat down at the yacht club, the amount of helpful advice I get is amazing. There are many occasions, when working there that other club members stop to discuss the ins and outs of this type of paint, which antifouling is the best (this is always the one you are using!) what yacht design is your boat, how does it sail and the like.
Let’s call it ‘the camaraderie of the sea’. It compares very favourably with driving on our roads, which so often seems to become a competitive sport.
So, while boating can bring out the best in human nature, of course not all experiences with other boaties are positive. So when someone cuts across your bow at a great rate of knots or ignores the basic rules for passing another boat it’s annoying to say the least.
However, I’ve made an early New Year’s vow to stop shaking my fist at the wrongdoers and change from being a curmudgeonly boatie to being all sweetness and light. Care to join me? Have a great Christmas and a first class 2016.
