An American view of the RNLI

Getting alongside a casualty and getting them aboard are very different things. And if my wife and I were out sailing, and I fell overboard a) she'd have trouble getting back to me (she'd manage, but she is a relative novice) and b) she'd NEVER get me back aboard unaided; she is tiny (has problems buying clothes and shoes small enough), and although I'm not big, I weigh twice what she does. After even 10-15 minutes in the Clyde, I'd be amazed if I had enough strength left to lift myself out of the water.

On Capricious, we clip on all the time.


+1 for stay on it, not in it, our identical circumstances, never any nice size 3 shoes she likes, and has to make her own shorter 3 hook safety lines-all made for 2m+ and more like waterski tows for her.
If LJ's come in different weights/sizes, why not safety lines?
there must be kids and small adults aplenty out there.
Oh, BTW, don't get her on the subject of 'pretty pink' impractical colour, sunny days only rated ladies deckies:(
 
+1 for stay on it, not in it, our identical circumstances, never any nice size 3 shoes she likes, and has to make her own shorter 3 hook safety lines-all made for 2m+ and more like waterski tows for her.
If LJ's come in different weights/sizes, why not safety lines?
there must be kids and small adults aplenty out there.
Oh, BTW, don't get her on the subject of 'pretty pink' impractical colour, sunny days only rated ladies deckies:(

Of course, the up-side is that she can often buy kid's sizes - which are zero-rated for VAT!

And yes, she has a pink lifejacket :rolleyes:
 
Of course, the up-side is that she can often buy kid's sizes - which are zero-rated for VAT!

And yes, she has a pink lifejacket :rolleyes:

Yes, but she gets fed up with boys trizers fashions. Her ... looks big in girls:D:D

Hmmm, mine must be missing the feminine 'pink' gene, red LJ's, tops, socks etc, but nothing 'pink'.

Still, at least I don't have to do all the electrics/electronics, sewing and woodworking in our Life:):):)
 
When we survived hurricane Alberto in the Gulf Stream, a lightning strike screwed the compass. 36 hours later a US Coastguard aeroplane flew over and we spoke to him on the hand-held.
Were we OK?
Yes, but we had no compass erviceable.
We asked him to fly over us in a true N-S direction and he did so.
That is pratctical help.
We later met him in Newport. He was the sort that cared. God bless.
(Apart from his over- flight, we did have an approx heading. I used always to log direction of swwell. That enabled us to get a heading within about 20 degrees.
Remember that!)

That is a really good one, Bill. Thanks.
 
And to get back on topic once more...........:)

It really is reassuring to read the first two posts in this thread.
After seeing all the negativity aimed at the RNLI on the other threads, I'm pleased to see that at least some people do appreciate the work done by RNLI. Inevitably they are not perfect in everything they do, but the majority of the time they do sterling work.
 
Very little but thread drift is mandatory and at least it was an interesting way to go.

Getting back on track I do appreciate their appreciation of the RNLI and was surprised at the comments about USCG, though perhaps if you have to master too many trades you do end up not being master of any.

It is very sad, but the USCG since 9/11 have become gruff, militaristic, suspicious, and often rather unhelpful and unfriendly (not always, but sickeningly often). Helping pleasure boaters is not one of their main jobs, and is actually not their job at all unless you are truly in imminent danger of life and limb. You are interesting to them from the point of view of whether you might be carrying drugs or terrorists, or whether you might intend to (gasp) visit Cuba illegally (something my father did every year for decades in his yacht, until he finally got sick of the constant harrassment). They come on board with their jackboots and not infrequently tear your boat apart looking for drugs. I hate to say all of this, but it is the sad reality.

The "bedside manner" of the UK Coast Guards is utterly and entirely different. But I think that this is just one small piece of a larger picture -- the UK is a fundamentally seagoing nation; you have an entire culture of going to sea and all of the different institutions needed to support that. Including even no taxes, no documentation, no licenses required to go to sea -- as it it is the God-given and inalienable right of every Englishman to go to sea without any interference from anyone. It's a good place to be a sailor :)
 
It is very sad, but the USCG since 9/11 have become gruff, militaristic, suspicious, and often rather unhelpful and unfriendly (not always, but sickeningly often). Helping pleasure boaters is not one of their main jobs, and is actually not their job at all unless you are truly in imminent danger of life and limb. You are interesting to them from the point of view of whether you might be carrying drugs or terrorists, or whether you might intend to (gasp) visit Cuba illegally (something my father did every year for decades in his yacht, until he finally got sick of the constant harrassment). They come on board with their jackboots and not infrequently tear your boat apart looking for drugs. I hate to say all of this, but it is the sad reality.

The "bedside manner" of the UK Coast Guards is utterly and entirely different. But I think that this is just one small piece of a larger picture -- the UK is a fundamentally seagoing nation; you have an entire culture of going to sea and all of the different institutions needed to support that. Including even no taxes, no documentation, no licenses required to go to sea -- as it it is the God-given and inalienable right of every Englishman to go to sea without any interference from anyone. It's a good place to be a sailor :)


Mind you the USA has had a seagoing traditon at least for as long as they have been able to have traditions. After all one of the excuses for the war of 1812 was the supposed 'pressing' of supposedly US sailors on US flagged vessels. For the 'land of the free' you seem to have allowed yourselves to become a trifle over regulated
 
the UK is a fundamentally seagoing nation; you have an entire culture of going to sea and all of the different institutions needed to support that. Including even no taxes, no documentation, no licenses required to go to sea -- as it it is the God-given and inalienable right of every Englishman to go to sea without any interference from anyone. It's a good place to be a sailor :)

I wouldn't go there if I were you...
 
And to get back on topic once more...........:)

It really is reassuring to read the first two posts in this thread.
After seeing all the negativity aimed at the RNLI on the other threads, I'm pleased to see that at least some people do appreciate the work done by RNLI. Inevitably they are not perfect in everything they do, but the majority of the time they do sterling work.

+1
 
Going back to our American cousins I heard the USS Stark call in with a medivac problem about 0800 one morning, you could hear the Navy slipping into top gear from miles away. By 0840 the Cg was reporting the casualty (tried to pass a kidney stone, ouch!) sitting up in bed at Treliske hospital and feeling a lot better. After a few more minutes the slightly dazed voice of the Stark CO came on to express his complete admiration for a slick and swift rescue operation.
 
My harbour master requires sight of my insurance schedule before accepting my annual mooring fees. :D

And I had to show my registration certificate to get the Warrant to wear my Defaced Blue Ensign.

But that's about it.

My mooring people ask me if I have insurance. I tell them that I have and they have never asked me to produce it. It must be my honest looking appearance!

I never had you down as a blue ensign type. Are you sure that it is wise to come out of the closet on this forum? :)
 
When we survived hurricane Alberto in the Gulf Stream, a lightning strike screwed the compass. 36 hours later a US Coastguard aeroplane flew over and we spoke to him on the hand-held.
Were we OK?
Yes, but we had no compass erviceable.
We asked him to fly over us in a true N-S direction and he did so.
That is pratctical help.
We later met him in Newport. He was the sort that cared. God bless.
(Apart from his over- flight, we did have an approx heading. I used always to log direction of swwell. That enabled us to get a heading within about 20 degrees.
Remember that!)

What happened to the old trick I learnt at Scouts - taught to me by grandfather when I was only 7?

Take your analogue watch, make sure it is on sun time e.g. if it is on BST push it back an hour in the UK, aim the hour hand at the sun - 12 is pointing due South. Should work in the Southern Hemisphere - it'll just point North!
 
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.

So the RNLI are beyond any criticism in your view.
 

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