An American view of the RNLI

[King Penguin]

In light of the various threads about the RNLI, I found this in an American book describing our rescue services........

I quote " If you are in danger at sea off the coast of the UK and the Republic of Ireland, your life may depend on the local village librarian, auto mechanic, butcher, sheep farmer or weekend sailor. But don't worry, you'll be in very good hands indeed: Your rescue crew will be members of the RNLI. They are some of the best trained and highly motivated lifesavers in the world, equipped with state-of-the-art rescue vessels like the Severn-Class all weather lifeboat.

The RNLI is a volunteer service that has been responsible for saving lives along Britain and Ireland's coastline for over 175 years.

When a vessel is in trouble, the coastguard calls the nearest lifeboat station. The volunteer crew is alerted with pagers. They instantly drop whatever they are doing and rush to the lifeboat station. Here they quickly change into survival suits and board the waiting lifeboat. At some stations the boats are kept in docks, while others can be launched down ramps. The crews strap themselves into the water-tight cabins and the boats head out to sea.

The entire RNLI system is supported by public donation. The volunteer crews serve together for many years in their own home waters. This strong team spirit and local experience, combined with intense, nationally standardized training and the best equipment, create one of the greatest maritime rescue services in the world"

Makes me proud to be British and an RNLI supporter every time I read it.............

 

[Dockhead]

You should be proud!!

This transplanted Yank is also amazed at your rescue services here, which put to shame any in the world I have ever seen.

In the U.S., all we have is the Coast Guard, who are now part of Homeland Security, and as such as much more concerned with real or imagined terrorist threats than they are with rescuing recreational sailors from their own foolishness. They are not that friendly, not that efficient, and do not cover the coastal areas very well. If they are called out for something which is not a matter of imminent life and death, they will send you a bill for their services, too.

I was returning to Hamble from Poole on Saturday and heard a Mayday called on Channel 16 -- man overboard in Osborne Bay, so a short swim from shore -- no big deal, right? Within I guess 90 seconds we heard calls from a rescue helicopter already in flight, being vectored to the supposed MOB site. 90 seconds!!! I'm not exaggerating. We saw the copter fly over; we were near Hurst. Then a few minutes later, Silence Fine, the Mayday was a mistake -- an exercise by a school boat inadvertedly transmitted on the radio.

Not just the RNLI, but the courtesy, helpfulness, friendliness and efficiency of your Coast Guard is also legendary among Yank sailors, a sad contrast to ours.

You have some of the best sailing on the planet, and certainly the best rescue services!

 

[Chrusty 1]

I live on the North Devon coast and sail there too, I am intensely proud of our local RNLI lads and lassies, (Appledore), and also intensely proud of our local RAF SAR helicopters, 22 Squadron A Flight RMB Chivenor, Devon.

When I read criticisms of the RNLI, and other people that put their lives on the line to help others, I tend to make an emotional response, that is the only was I can be bothered to respond to dick heads that have nothing better to do, than make stupid and smart ass comments about people they are not fit to stand in the shoes of.

Some of the things that were said on that Sybarite thread beggar belief! The negative comments really do not deserve anything by way of response but absolute contempt!

Thanks for your appreciative words Yank!

 

[chanelyacht]

I was returning to Hamble from Poole on Saturday and heard a Mayday called on Channel 16 -- man overboard in Osborne Bay, so a short swim from shore -- no big deal, right? Within I guess 90 seconds we heard calls from a rescue helicopter already in flight, being vectored to the supposed MOB site. 90 seconds!!! I'm not exaggerating. We saw the copter fly over; we were near Hurst. Then a few minutes later, Silence Fine, the Mayday was a mistake -- an exercise by a school boat inadvertedly transmitted on the radio.

They were a bit lucky with that one, the bird was already at Bournemouth airport doing practice approaches.

Yes it was a false alarm - but no harm done, and a suitably embarrassed yachtsman learnt a lesson!

 

[glashen]

You should be proud!!

I was returning to Hamble from Poole on Saturday and heard a Mayday called on Channel 16 -- man overboard in Osborne Bay, so a short swim from shore -- no big deal, right?

We ran a man overboard exercise at our club recently and in discussion about recovery we came to the conclusion that getting a distress call out should be a very high priority.

Talking to a local lifeboatman I said they could be with us in 30 minutes, less than that in all probability was the reply. However good your method for getting the casualty back on board there is a good chance if alerted the RNLI or helicopter will be there first.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

..... However good your method for getting the casualty back on board there is a good chance if alerted the RNLI or helicopter will be there first.

I cant agree with this at all. A yacht should be able to get alongside a MOB within 5 minutes with white sails only with someone who can sail at the helm. Up my way one doesn't have to sail far for the RNLI / SAR response time to be far longer than your 30 minutes or less.

 

[whipper_snapper]

It's all true, the service is amazing.

But knowing it is there does change the state of mind. Or to put it another way, knowing that you are totally on your own and that there is zero chance of any assistance at any time regardless of the problem, makes the whole sailing thing feel very different. It is like free climbing vs top roping!!

 

[glashen]

I cant agree with this at all. A yacht should be able to get alongside a MOB within 5 minutes with white sails only with someone who can sail at the helm. Up my way one doesn't have to sail far for the RNLI / SAR response time to be far longer than your 30 minutes or less.

I agree you should be able to get alongside in 5 minutes, it is getting a casualty back on board when short handed I would doubt about. Every moment of delay sending a distress out lengthens the time outside help arrives, you can always cancel a mayday.

 

[Searush]

It's all true, the service is amazing.

But knowing it is there does change the state of mind. Or to put it another way, knowing that you are totally on your own and that there is zero chance of any assistance at any time regardless of the problem, makes the whole sailing thing feel very different. It is like free climbing vs top roping!!

Absolutely! And the smart sailors sail as if that were the case ALWAYS!

There are so many things that can turn a whoopsie into a fatal. VHF blackspots are not unusual around Anglesey, batteries can be flat, aerial leads damaged, etc. In a panic things get done wrong, sails get tangled, props pick up sheets, wrong positons are given out, etc.

The only times I have nearly gone over the side have been in good weather & my guard has been down, quite often when solo too. Holding on tight with at least one hand at all times or a short tether is obvious in a bad sea, less so in calm seas & sunshine when "all's well with the World".

 

[Deleted member 36384]

I agree you should be able to get alongside in 5 minutes, it is getting a casualty back on board when short handed I would doubt about. Every moment of delay sending a distress out lengthens the time outside help arrives, you can always cancel a mayday.

Then make sure you can, on your boat, get a casualty back onboard short handed, or that your crews can get a casualty back on board, short handed, without your help.

 

[[70521]]

But knowing it is there does change the state of mind. Or to put it another way, knowing that you are totally on your own and that there is zero chance of any assistance at any time regardless of the problem, makes the whole sailing thing feel very different. It is like free climbing vs top roping!!

Intesting simile and having been a member of a mountain rescue team for five years not one I would agree with. Free climbing is at the extream end of the sport, a bit like solo ocean racing.

 

[chanelyacht]

I cant agree with this at all. A yacht should be able to get alongside a MOB within 5 minutes with white sails only with someone who can sail at the helm. Up my way one doesn't have to sail far for the RNLI / SAR response time to be far longer than your 30 minutes or less.

Quite possibly, but a MOB should, in the vast majority of cases, be a mayday call straight away.

We can always turn units around, but we can't buy back time after the event.

 

[whipper_snapper]

Intesting simile and having been a member of a mountain rescue team for five years not one I would agree with. Free climbing is at the extream end of the sport, a bit like solo ocean racing.

Ok, I agree. It's more like a long lead out with dodgy protection vs being a 2nd climber. The difference is all in the mind, but that changes everything.

 

[King Penguin]

Quite possibly, but a MOB should, in the vast majority of cases, be a mayday call straight away.

We can always turn units around, but we can't buy back time after the event.

100% agree

 

[glashen]

Then make sure you can, on your boat, get a casualty back onboard short handed, or that your crews can get a casualty back on board, short handed, without your help.

Does that not mean a Father can't sail alone with a 14 year old son, most husband and wives would need crew aboard and even fully crewed yachts might fail in heavy weather and dealing with an unconscious casualty.

It is certainly a good idea to practice techniques and we did have some success with wives winching a large male on board but that was tied alongside a pontoon I don't think anyone thought it would be easy in real situation.

As I said the RNLI man felt getting outside help on the way should be a high priority, if you succeed without them they won't be upset.

 

[prv]

Quite possibly, but a MOB should, in the vast majority of cases, be a mayday call straight away.

We can always turn units around, but we can't buy back time after the event.

Can't disagree with that, but in my case (two-up when I'm not single-handed) it's going to be tough to manage a mayday call while also keeping an eye on the MOB and manoeuvring to get back to him. Obviously DSC helps with that, but I'm probably not going to be able to answer the subsequent voice call - in fact I expect it would prove pretty distracting.

Pete

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Quite possibly, but a MOB should, in the vast majority of cases, be a mayday call straight away.

We can always turn units around, but we can't buy back time after the event.

It's not as simple as making a call "straight away". The first priority is to spot the MOB and turn the yacht around without loosing sight of the MOB. The act of making the mayday call may cause this priority to fail if the MOB is lost from sight.

I agree that assistance from the MCA via a mayday is paramount (and in nearly all cases a Mayday should be made) but the best people to pick up a MOB is the yacht and crew that the MOB came from.

 

[Searush]

Can't disagree with that, but in my case (two-up when I'm not single-handed) it's going to be tough to manage a mayday call while also keeping an eye on the MOB and manoeuvring to get back to him. Obviously DSC helps with that, but I'm probably not going to be able to answer the subsequent voice call - in fact I expect it would prove pretty distracting.

Pete

TBH I think I would focus on getting the casualty tied alongside the boat before sending a Mayday & then trying to get them back aboard knowing help was on the way to deal with a possibly hypothermic casualty & that they would be in a warm hospital bed while I would be still trying to get to a place of refuge to recover my composure.

Going below to send a Mayday could easily mean the rescue services were recovery a body, especially if the casualty had not been wearing bouancy of any sort. Throwing a marker & lifebelt have to be priorities, then getting them secured alongside - if calm water. In rough seas I think I would have to get them back aboard if I could before sending a Mayday.

Remember this scenario is only if there are no additional crew members to point at casualty, send Mayday etc.

 

[glashen]

It's not as simple as making a call "straight away". The first priority is to spot the MOB and turn the yacht around without loosing sight of the MOB. The act of making the mayday call may cause this priority to fail if the MOB is lost from sight.

I agree that assistance from the MCA via a mayday is paramount (and in nearly all cases a Mayday should be made) but the best people to pick up a MOB is the yacht and crew that the MOB came from.

I agree if you lose sight of the casualty, then you are in big trouble, sending A DSC call though should take 10 seconds at most, if you have a hand held you can then communicate with that.

This is something I think we should all think about, the problem I find with most MOB instruction is it does assume everything follows a plan, when things go wrong they usually get worse before they get better.

 

[prv]

TBH I think I would focus on getting the casualty tied alongside the boat before sending a Mayday

I think I would do it after launching the Jon Buoy and manoeuvring, but before arriving back on the spot. I'm only thinking in terms of mashing the DSC button, so it doesn't take long, and I can do it without looking while steering towards the MOB.

Going below to send a Mayday could easily mean the rescue services were recovery a body,

Mounting radios at the chart table is a habit left over from when they were fragile instruments that had to be kept away from water. This is no longer the case, most can be submerged under a metre of water and still work.

My radio is on the deckhead just inside the hatch, so is easily reachable from the cockpit. When I move up to a bigger boat, I will install a remote mic if there's nowhere to mount the radio near the cockpit. Most of the times you need to use a radio, you also need to be doing something on deck (steering into harbour while calling a marina, not just calling the Coastguard while dealing with an emergency).

Pete