Do the RNLI still "bless" their Lifeboats?

[Keith-i]

Certainly still happens in Jersey. Each year there is a blessing of the fleet and inshore lifeboat at one of our small harbours by the church of St Peter de la Rocque. Also, the fishing fleet is blessed each year in Alderney. Seems to be a tradition that is still maintained in the Channel Islands.

 

[Athene V30]

Some years ago I recall a former RNSA Hon Chaplain 'blessed' Pete Goss's boat that subsequently broke up at sea. In 2009 the same Chaplain was standing on the sea wall at Burnham on Crouch watching my (new to me) boat being launched and was asked not to involve his Boss!

 

[caiman]

Barmouth's Lifeboats and Crew will have the annual blessing a week today @the Lifeboat Station,Promenade Barmouth,LL421NF.(01341)280 274.
Everyone welcome.
My own take on the matter?
'Every little helps'.
C U there.
Cheers

 

[jellylegs]

You need to be 'blessed' yourself, for it to be of any use....the boat will just sink and rot, or become a home to mermaids if its GRP for a few hundred years....

Some boats should be sunk, IMHO, but thats another thing altogether!

 

[nigelmercier]

You need to be 'blessed' yourself...

I, like many children was baptised as a baby. I'm currently researching how to get it revoked, as I don't want to belong to an organisation run by a bunch of nutters.

 

[bulto]

Burnham on Crouch lifeboat bleesing this Sunday

 

[chinita]

I don't think that the Titanic was blessed at her launch.

Presumably the iceberg was.

 

[padipaddy]

I, like many children was baptised as a baby. I'm currently researching how to get it revoked, as I don't want to belong to an organisation run by a bunch of nutters.

I think I have just pissed myself a wee bit
LMFAO

rab

 

[prv]

I, like many children was baptised as a baby. I'm currently researching how to get it revoked, as I don't want to belong to an organisation run by a bunch of nutters.

I suppose the technical procedure is excommunication. I know the Catholics do that to people they don't like. Not sure the CoE (I assume?) does though - doesn't really fit the "cake or death" image

I have heard of militant atheists writing to the parish where they were christened to ask for the records to be removed, but that doesn't quite seem like the same thing to me.

Pete
(non-militant atheist)

 

[ribrunt]

If I recall the ceremony correctly, the naming ceremony for an RNLI lifeboat is just that - a naming ceremony. Local clergy may or may not also "say a few words".

 

[Me_has_a_Boat]

Certainly still happens in Jersey. Each year there is a blessing of the fleet and inshore lifeboat at one of our small harbours by the church of St Peter de la Rocque. Also, the fishing fleet is blessed each year in Alderney. Seems to be a tradition that is still maintained in the Channel Islands.

It certainly does still happen in Jersey!..........as I discovered on Sunday at St Aubin's Harbour - the b#ggers woke me up Two Lifeboats, and a lot of chanting. and someone on a microphone (is Cheeses deaf or summit )....I didn't get close enough to see how many were wearing dresses.

I must have missed the previous few years (or maybe they rotate the Harbours?).

If it wasn't for Caimans comments about Barmouth I would have put it down to just a Jersey / Channel Island thing.

An interesting conundrum - have always avoided supporting folks and organisations with a religous bent (apart from the principal of not encouraging stupidity - I have my own ways of p#ssing money up against a wall , so see no sense in donating cash to others to use for that purpose).......I guess if I had any principles I would write to the RNLI and "de-register" for their services in the future, but then again I have never bothered to de-register from the C of E - even though I probably count within their flock when it comes to them claiming popularity.....being a laid back sort of fella (most of the time ) I figure a case of you don't bother me - and I won't bother you.......but with the RNLI they could be useful .

but could maybe explain there zeal in "saving" folks, sometimes whether they want it or not

The RNLI website is kinda silent on the religous angle (apart from the NI bit - but they be strange over there ).

 

[prv]

The RNLI website is kinda silent on the religous angle

I don't think the fact that they occasionally have the local god-botherer wave his arms at their boat makes them a religious organisation.

Pete

 

[Me_has_a_Boat]

I don't think the fact that they occasionally have the local god-botherer wave his arms at their boat makes them a religious organisation.

Pete

If they attended an event hosted by the BNP would that make them a political organisation?