Liquid Vortex rescued by RNLI

The decision was made by the RYA following three serious safety related incidents involving Hot Liquid Southampton between January 2011 and January 2012.

The RYA had already suspended its recognition of the Southampton based Sailing School at the beginning of January this year, immediately following a serious incident when one of the School's yachts got into difficulties in storm force winds off Dungeness and had to be towed in by the RNLI (see our report here).  At the time, the RYA said that the suspension would remain in place pending the outcome of an investigation by the MCA Enforcement unit as well as its own investigation.

RYA Training Manager and Chief Examiner Richard Falk said today: "The removal of RYA recognition from a training centre is never a decision that is taken lightly. However, it is essential that customers are confident that appropriate safety management routines are in place at any centre displaying the RYA Recognised Training Centre logo."

The RYA advises that any customers booked on an RYA course at Hot Liquid Southampton should contact the school directly to discuss their situation. In the event that a customer has a further query they may contact the RYA at 02380 604100.

Hot Liquid Gibraltar will retain RYA recognition for all disciplines currently on offer due to the fact that the operational safety management routines of that site are controlled separately to that of the Southampton site.

There was no mention of the outcome of the MCA investigation.  The Hot Liquid website was offering little help or advice for customers today, simply displaying a holding page with it's logo and the words 'Hot Liquid. Sailing Courses in the UK and Mediterranean", and giving a phone number.

Last week, we saw how Jerry Tremain started to plan his passage from Southampton to the South of France.  This week we hear about the start...  Jerry writes:

THE DAYS BEFORE DEPARTURE

Cushla in refitThe preceding days in March proved to be quite worrisome. Having gotten most of the gear, mostly second-hand from Ebay, there was the matter of a lift which was planned for two weekends in the middle of the month at Saxon Wharf. As it turned out, the lift was delayed due to the launch of Superyacht Hetairos taking longer than expected. I now only had the one weekend to do all the painting and gearbox servicing and with no spare leave to call on I was in fear of not getting it all done in time for a test sail and the departure.

Fortuitously, Cushla's hull was in a very good shape despite having been immersed for the last two years without break. There was very little weed; just some barnacles on the waterline and over the props. The base antifouling was sound and would only need a scrub and top coat. That said, catamarans have two hulls and it is always frustrating to look over your shoulder and notice that 'the other' hull needs doing as well!