DISAPPOINTED

[Guest]

Because I've been away for the last week, I was reading the posts for the last week and I was somewhat saddened by the post(s) about the RNLI SeaCheck Service. As a RNLI sea check advisor I was completely surprised by some of the posts. To even think that it was the "thin end of the wedge" towards compulsorily certificating is totally WRONG. To think that the RNLI would only respond to people that had "passed" the "test" is not only WRONG, but offensive to the ethos of the RNLI. To think that it is just a means of getting sailors to buy more expensive equipment is WRONG. To think that it is a method of making boat owners feel inadiquate and unsafe is WRONG. I am an advisor because I believe that I have gained some experience in the 35 years that I have been involved with the sea as both a professional fisherman and pleasure boater and I wish to give back something to the sport I truely love. To this end I had no hesitation in agreeing to become an advisor for the RNLI. I have no wish to incroach on anybodies "freetime" or to make them feel inadiquate as a boat owner. I only want them to feel that if they have a problem when at sea, that they can deal with it. We are instructed by the RNLI that we must never make the owner feel inadiquate and frightened to put to sea. The advice is given "freely" by many different people, in my own group we have professional fishermen, yotties, motor boaters, RNLI crew, all of which are dedicated to trying to make our sport safer for all. Why would any of you believe that the RNLI is any different from any other large organisation, we are driven by accountants just the same, its called value for money, reduce the callouts and you save money, then you can spend that money in other areas i.e R & D to provide better boats, equipment and such. If you truely believe that we only launch to save "wallies" and not well found and experienced boaters you are living in a dream world, misfortune befalls us all and we will always launch to rescue all, irrespective of whether you've had a check or not, my God can you immagine the situation where by a call goes out and we sit waiting for the CG to tell us OK you can go because this guys had a check! Everyone that I have checked has always said that they have been pleased to see me made me very welcome and that I have made them think about what I have said to them and that they were suprised that the check was not a test to be passed or failed but just a friendly chat. I've ranted on enough now but I will leave you with one thought (our motto) PLEASE INVITE ME ABOARD YOUR BOAT, BEFORE I INVITE YOU ABOARD OURS.
signed
ever-so-slightly demorolised Sea Check Advisor.

 

[ParaHandy]

Share your disappointment and astonished at some of the responses. Comparing the service with a double glazing foot-in-the-door salesman is a disgrace.

 

[jimi]

I would'nt worry too much if I were you. The vast silent majority really appreciate the RNLI both in what they do & how they do it.

Jim

 

[rogerroger]

Peter - please don't be demorolised !

The vast majority of sailors and posters here to the forum greatly appreciate the service and welcome the check.

No doubt those opposed to the service are most likely to be the lifeboat bait that guys like you pluck out of the sea risking your own life.

There are also those who think the RNLI has too much money and so won't donate - again, I don't think they'd hesitate in asking you to risk your lives to rescue them if they were in danger.

I phoned for a Sea Check - I first read about it in a mag and couldn't believe I could actually get one for free.

I was on board my friends boat when the Sea Check guy came round - he couldn't have been less pushy, we'd arrived at our destination in plenty of time so the owner who was out for his first sail in his new boat welcomed the check. For me it was a great refresher.

Not only was the guy NOT intruding - he was giving up HIS Saturday for the benefit of others. I'm sure there must have been a million other things he could have been doing.

The only point I would draw from the criticism is that somehow people have managed to get a negative perception of the scheme - perhaps the "branding" of it needs looking at ?

cheers.

Roger Holden
www.first-magnitude.co.uk

 

[milltech]

I am a contributor to and a supporter of the RNLI. I didn't compare the Seacheck service to double glazing or object to it in any way. I made a general observation that nobody is welcome UNINVITED on my boat or at my home.

The original poster had been approached as he tied up at the Folly, and he had posed the question why it might be refused as his advisor said it often was. I offered this as one reason why the service might be refused, and why without an appointment it would have been refused by me. I see nothing disgraceful in regarding my time as my own, I believe many people feel when they step aboard that they are leaving all that bothersome stuff behind.



John

 

[Guest]

As Peter indicates disaster can occur to anybody not just the ''lifeboat bait'' you refer to who would refuse a seacheck.
I am an Offshore member,my 5 year old daughter has her own membership and I admire the RNLI both in the service they provide and their business acumen.
HOWEVER as a matter of principal I believe that whilst it might not be the RNLII 's intention to make inspections compulsory it could be adopted by other agencies and i am totally against this.
further i go sailing to get away from administation not invite it along.
Its my decision and if its not compulsory then let me make it freely without criticism.

 

[rogerroger]

I was there on the boat at the Folly.

He was no more uninvited that the Harbour Master coming to collect mooring fees - at least we had the option of saying "no thanks" to the polite RNLI man !

Had the check not been wanted he would have gone away.

Another guy on the pontoon strolled up and said "Ah, a Bavaria - mind if I come and have a look?" - how would you have treated him ?



Roger Holden
www.first-magnitude.co.uk

 

[rogerroger]

well I was exaggerating to make a point...

let's not have the same debate again!! ;-)



Roger Holden
www.first-magnitude.co.uk

 

[Guest]

I'm happy to agree to differ..
its what makes us a democracy...we are a democracy ar'nt we ?

 

[sailbadthesinner]

Do not get disheartened
I donot think anyone questioned the RNLI's willingness to attend any emergency situation at sea.

If it Cooks Flys or Floats, Rent it.

 

[JeremyF]

As the original poster, I'd like to reassure you that I was very pleased with the advice given in a non-proscriptive way. The experience was more like a friendly chat with someone who knows a lot more about the subject than I do. Its always a pleasure to talk to an expert in a field I'm interested in.

Some of the tips involved no expenditure, and most will cost a few pounds to implement. Some were purely practical - keep the port aft pushpit clear of danbuoys, as thats where the helicopters lift down & up from. At least 50% of the boats in Campers had the danbuoy on the port side.

I remain amazed that some people might not welcome this assesment.

And if people think it might be the first step towards compulsion, well maybe it is, but I'm sure thats not RNLI's objective. It might in fact be the opposite, as if some bureaucrat got it into his head to check on the state of boats, the RNLI's data might prove there is little to be gained.

Jeremy Flynn

 

[milltech]

Yep fine. Exactly my point. It's not a sin to say no thanks.

John

 

[dickh]

Peter, very sorry you were disappointed, I am an Offshore Member together with my partner and have always supported the RNLI. I also had the chance to see you in action many years ago when I had an accident on board and the Sheerness lifeboat took my crew ashore. Very efficient. I also had a seacheck last summer and was pleased with the visit which did throw up some points which I had on my "list of things to do" but never quite got around to. They have all been completed over winter, and cost very little apart from some of my time. At no time did he make me inadequate or suggest I didn't go to sea. I suspect he can see at a glance wether he is on a 'well found ship' or not and tailors his visit to suit. He was very friendly and did not try and "sell" me expensive additional equipment. (He put me to shame by donning a lifejacket before getting in the dinghy...) I would certainly recommend a seacheck to anyone that I meet. The RNLI is a wonderfull organisation which I have supported since my teens. Keep up the good work.
dickh

 

[Guest]

Well folks, I would like to say thanks for your comments. At least I'm feeling less dispondant now. Its nice to know that we have support out there. If anyone has any ideas on how we can "sell" this "FREE" service to a wider boating public then please feel free to contact me.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Re: DISAPPOINTED PUNTER

Peter,

I attended a CA/RNLI liferaft and flares afternoon last autumn, and as a result booked a check for the Spring. Got a nice letter from RNLI saying someone would be in touch nearer the time. No more heard. I'll try and remake the appointment.

 

[ToMo]

In the process of buying a boat now; how and with whom do I make contact for a check when its(still think it should be 'she') ours?
Thanks
TôMö

 

[Guest]

Re: DISAPPOINTED PUNTER

Ken
Contact the RNLI on 01202 663000 and ask for SeaCheck desk. It should be Micky Slatford, she will sort you out.
regards.

 

[Guest]

ToMo
See my reply to Ken.

 

[Jeremy_W]

Your yacht is still very much a "she". The idea that COMMERCIAL shipping should be referred to as IT was merely a suggestion by the editor of "Lloyds List". I understand it was promptly ignored by a pseudonymous regular on this forum who writes for the "Quarter Waves" column.