An American view of the RNLI

[prv]

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

Good point.

I was thinking of the procedure used to check compass accuracy in mid-ocean by taking a bearing on the sun, but you need tables for that which I guess the average yacht wouldn't have on board.

For most people the hand bearing compass is also the backup steering compass - I guess that got screwed by the lightning too?

Pete

 

[Rigger Mortice]

So the RNLI are beyond any criticism in your view.

No, but thoughtless criticism, in some cases from people with a chip on their shoulder, isn't very constructive. The inability to substantiate many of the claims made by the critics was very obvious too.

But constructive criticism? Fine. I'm sure the RNLI would welcome it as well. You don't think that all those volunteers will be backward at coming forward do you?

 

[prv]

Just imagine what it would be like if some bright spark decided it would be a good idea to merge RNLI, MCA/CG and UKBA?

That's why we're all glad that the RNLI isn't a government department and hence is mostly immune to such a plan.

Pete

 

[mikefleetwood]

CG and RNLI would work together without problem....they do already.

But UKBA? Delete your posting before it gives them ideas!!!!

I just had a vision of some Whitehall mandarin (do they still have those?) seeking to increase his portfolio seeing the RNLI as ripe for nationalisation and lumping together with other "maritime services" and then you end up with something llike the USACG.

All the tact and personal skills of the UKBA.
The spending habits of the RNLI
(sorry, couldn't think of a suitably negative aspect of the MCA)

nb. this post is entirely tongue-in-cheek

 

[Dockhead]

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

Indeed.

It's much more bureaucratically complicated to own a boat than it is to own a pistol.

 

[Dockhead]

A forum reason rather than a practical one. Documents required (or not) for visiting foreign countries (particularly France) is up there with anchor choice among topics you don't want to invite onto a thread.

Pete

Sure, but it's France, not the UK, which demands registration.

 

[Chrusty 1]

So the RNLI are beyond any criticism in your view.

Are you hard of reading?

 

[Sybarite]

Sure, but it's France, not the UK, which demands registration.

It's more like the UK makes an exception to international regulations for boating in its own home waters.

 

[snowleopard]

So the RNLI are beyond any criticism in your view.

I recall an incident reported on here a few years ago where a lifeboat leaving harbour at full throttle caused injuries from his wash. There were some who took the criticism of their actions in the same way as the Taliban would react to criticism of the Prophet. The poster was electronically tarred and feathered.

It seems the RNLI admin operation may be criticised but the operational side is a sacred cow, along with striking firemen and pushing football fans.

 

[Chrusty 1]

I recall an incident reported on here a few years ago where a lifeboat leaving harbour at full throttle caused injuries from his wash. There were some who took the criticism of their actions in the same way as the Taliban would react to criticism of the Prophet. The poster was electronically tarred and feathered.

It seems the RNLI admin operation may be criticised but the operational side is a sacred cow, along with striking firemen and pushing football fans.

Only electronically??.............What a shame! Got a link? I would like to read that.

 

[Sailfree]

Indeed.

It's much more bureaucratically complicated to own a boat than it is to own a pistol.

Having worked in America I love the country but was surprised how Bureaucratic it was and how hieratical the workplace was.

What summed it up best though is that its the only place in the world where you can be arrested for carring an open can of Miller light in the street but be legal for carrying an Armalite (rifle!)

 

[maxi77]

Having worked in America I love the country but was surprised how Bureaucratic it was and how hieratical the workplace was.

What summed it up best though is that its the only place in the world where you can be arrested for carring an open can of Miller light in the street but be legal for carrying an Armalite (rifle!)

Not surprising really Miller Light is a chemical weapon masquerading as beer

 

[Chrusty 1]

Not surprising really Miller Light is a chemical weapon masquerading as beer

Not as lethal as Carlsberg Export though!

Go into an offy around here and ask for a couple of cans of brain damage, and that's what they will give you!

 

[Dockhead]

It's more like the UK makes an exception to international regulations for boating in its own home waters.

Well, there aren't any international regulations requiring registration of yachts. It's all up to the flag state. There have been passionate (and rather pointless, and rather endless) arguments on here whether the French must be obligated to respect undocumented UK yachts or not, but that's really not important for this discussion. The point is that English people have a near absolute right, in front of their own government, to make or buy any kind of seagoing craft and go out to sea in her, and the State neither taxes nor regulates this in any way, and does not demand any kind of registration, nor any kind of qualifications (other than with regard to use of a radiotelephone, and even this is honored more in the breach). It's very cool seen through the eyes of a non-UK sailor.

 

[maxi77]

Not as lethal as Carlsberg Export though!

Go into an offy around here and ask for a couple of cans of brain damage, and that's what they will give you!

But at least Calsberg is real beer, unlike Miller Lite

 

[Chrusty 1]

But at least Calsberg is real beer, unlike Miller Lite

Yeah but it's not the yanks fault, they have just never learned to brew real beer.

Too much germanic influence is the cause methinks.

 

[Chrusty 1]

Well, there aren't any international regulations requiring registration of yachts. It's all up to the flag state. There have been passionate (and rather pointless, and rather endless) arguments on here whether the French must be obligated to respect undocumented UK yachts or not, but that's really not important for this discussion. The point is that English people have a near absolute right, in front of their own government, to make or buy any kind of seagoing craft and go out to sea in her, and the State neither taxes nor regulates this in any way, and does not demand any kind of registration, nor any kind of qualifications (other than with regard to use of a radiotelephone, and even this is honored more in the breach). It's very cool seen through the eyes of a non-UK sailor.

British please Yank!

 

[Searush]

Indeed.

It's much more bureaucratically complicated to own a boat than it is to own a pistol.

Owning a pistol is banned in the UK and all firearms are very heavily legislated too. Shotguns are less strongly regulated & low powered air weapons hardly at all. Many gun clubs for target pistol shooting have had to close down or switch to air pistols & our Olympic target pistol team can only practice by going overseas & have to leave their guns there.

But, on balance, I think the UK has it more right!

 

[maxi77]

Yeah but it's not the yanks fault, they have just never learned to brew real beer.

Too much germanic influence is the cause methinks.

Not true I have drunk excellent beer in the US in the very brewery it was made in. Some of our transatlantic cousins are finding that real beer (not real ale I think that is still a step to far for them) is a good drink and can cost no more that the stuff I mentioned before and its look alikes. The advent of the micro brewery has made some very nice brews available if you know where to look

 

[AntarcticPilot]

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!

Isn't it the bisector of the angle between 12 and the hour hand? The sun goes round the earth once in 24 hours; the hour hand of a watch goes round once in 12 hours.