Give your boat a safety MOT this spring

[Lifeboat]

The RNLI urges sea goers to carry out crucial checks before they go back on the water this season, in a bid to reduce the number of avoidable emergencies at sea.

Last year, RNLI lifeboats launched 1,242 times to vessels out of fuel or with engine failure. In many cases, the upset of the callout could have been avoided if simple engine and fuel checks had been carried out before hand including:
* Run your engine, give it a visual check
* Check the oil, hydraulic fluid and fuel lines
* On outboards, check the kill cord
Make sure the fuel tank is secured
* Don’t run out of fuel – check you have enough for the voyage, plus a bit extra

RNLI Leisure Boat Safety Manager, Rick Raeburn, says: ‘It’s not only checking your boat to prevent the need for rescue that is important. It is also essential to check emergency equipment that you will need should the worst happen. Wearing lifejackets and having a useable liferaft can give you, and our lifeboat crews, vital minutes should anything go wrong.’

Rick continues: ‘Do you have enough lifejackets with you that actually fit those on board – children too? If you have to abandon your vessel, your liferaft will keep you out of the very cold water of the British Isles until the lifeboat gets to you – but is it working order? Make sure you have checked over by a service agent.

‘Everyone thinks “it won’t happen to me” – last year many thousands had to think again.’

The RNLI recommends the following checks for safety equipment:
* Lifejackets – gas canisters for corrosion and webbing for wear
* Carry out a VHF radio check
* Ensure all safety equipment, such as flares, is within expiry dates
* Service your liferaft
* Replacing old batteries in a torch can make all the difference
* Don’t forget to check the weather before you set out, keep within your capabilities

The RNLI offers free impartial advice on all aspects of sea safety, and boat owners can get a free SEA Check from a local volunteer by calling 0800 328 0600.


rnli

 

[Vara]

It's very difficult to be critical of this post,the motive is worthy,the content is indisputable, but it still irritates the hell out of me,and I really don't know why.

 

[snowleopard]

probably just the reference to radio checks /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[FullCircle]

I can stand it once a year. It just makes me pause long enough to revisit the checklist. Irritation can be treated with Black Coffee and Whiskey mixed (Called Electric Coffee on our boat). Apply liberally.

 

[Lifeboat]

I'm sorry if it does wind anybody up, it really isn't meant to! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gifYou would be amazed how easy it is to miss the simple things & that so many each year get into great difficulties. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
Prevention is better than cure!

 

[Tekkie]

Having heard a mayday today for a vessel , that had hour an before just been put back in the water. reason taking water, transpires owner forgot to connect cooling water pipe to skin fitting!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Two lifeboats were launched the AW and ILB! I therfore fully support "Lifeboat" and he's motives.

Brian

 

[Viking]

Re: Well done!!!!

Well done 'Lifeboat' just keep plugging the message. If just one person takes action, it might that one person who didnt need the lifeboat!
And it might be the freed up lifeboat that can come to rescue YOU (colmce)

 

[jonjo]

Re: Irritating? Yes indeed.

I won't take Lifeboat seriously until he declares who he is and his relationship to the RNLI. He has been challenged about this before on ybw.com.

And as to the advice provided, well it is about as useful as a 1950's government information film on how to survive a nuclear strike.

 

[DaveNTL]

not trying to 'flame' anyone here - but don't you get the impression that people don't like being told what to do? Maybe (normally male) ego's get in the way?

I've aluded to this in other threads and on some occassions have fealt inclined to reply to someones query with my two pennuth but have resisted simply because I just know someone will come back and condemn some 'i' I havent dotted or 't' not crossed.

It's just a discussion forum of like minded individuals and in my opinion I always have something to learn. It's not a University course in pedantery.

If I don't like something on TV I switch over or switch off.

OK, I occassionally complain about the TV license fee or having 200 channels with nothing on but.... thats life!

 

[khc1970]

Re: Irritating? Yes indeed.

Surely whatever his motive is, a safety message is worth posting on here?! You might be an experience seaman, but I have no illusion about some of the dickheads out on the water who has no knowledge of the sea whatsoever.

Nice to have a change from 'My battery won't charge' or 'Antifoul my prop'......

 

[Howardnp]

Re: Irritating? Yes indeed.

I really don't see a problem in what Lifeboat posted.

If he's preaching to the converted, so what? If he isn't and he manages to make at least one person look into pre season checks etc then he's done his job.
My particulars, for what they're worth, are on the site so would it make it more acceptable if I copied the text and re posted it?

 

[jonjo]

Re: Irritating? Yes indeed.

[ QUOTE ]
but I have no illusion about some of the dickheads out on the water who has no knowledge of the sea whatsoever.

[/ QUOTE ]
Do you really expect that such people will come searching for safety advice in this corner of the internet?

 

[jonjo]

Re: Irritating? Yes indeed.

[ QUOTE ]
I really don't see a problem in what Lifeboat posted.

[/ QUOTE ]
We live in a safety obsessed country where the compound effect of government Health & Safety regulation and claims litigation is beginning to prevent citizens of this country from interacting as a normal community. Last year my local TV news featured the final holiday season of a local seaside donkey ride operator that had been put out of business due to insurance premiums.

I go to sea to get away from all this crap and I don't expect to have to suffer from generic health and safety drivel posted here by some character who is not quite an official spokesman for some quasi government department.

Do Scuttlebutt users really need to be told…

[ QUOTE ]
* Don’t run out of fuel
* Do you have enough lifejackets with you that actually fit those on board
* Service your liferaft
* Don’t forget to check the weather before you set out


[/ QUOTE ]

 

[MarkJohnson12345]

Re: Irritating? Yes indeed.

Personally, I think these checklists are good.

I look at it this way...

The marine environment is unforgiving. If someone offers advice, its worth the few seconds to listen and see if you can learn something.

Its never too late to learn...

my 2p

 

[starboard]

Re: Irritating? Yes indeed.

After 15 years past service with RNLI eventually as off-shore Coxswain I can vouch that indeed there are people out there that need a nudge in the right direction as far as safety equipoment etc is concerned...you cannot believe at times the stupidity and ignorance of some......picked one large mobo up one day that had run aground with family and put them at risk, he was usuing an old AA road atlas to navigate down the coast from Largs to Troon, he hit the rocks inside!!! Horse Island, he told me he did.nt want to go too far off shore!!!!....so you see despite your own knowledge and wisdom and what seems an unwillingness to continue to learn there are no doubt people out there that would be glad of the info.....as for me after 40 years of doing this I believe you will never stop learning as far as the sea is concerned.

Paul.

 

[Lifeboat]

Re: Irritating? Yes indeed.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
but I have no illusion about some of the dickheads out on the water who has no knowledge of the sea whatsoever.

[/ QUOTE ]
Do you really expect that such people will come searching for safety advice in this corner of the internet?

[/ QUOTE ]

Why Not? What is wrong with you, this is a forum for BOAT OWNERS, not push bike fans or computer fans. Where better to place this kind of saftey info, they wont this advice on a bike site will they.

 

[Lifeboat]

Re: Irritating? Yes indeed.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I really don't see a problem in what Lifeboat posted.

[/ QUOTE ]
We live in a safety obsessed country where the compound effect of government Health & Safety regulation and claims litigation is beginning to prevent citizens of this country from interacting as a normal community. Last year my local TV news featured the final holiday season of a local seaside donkey ride operator that had been put out of business due to insurance premiums.

I go to sea to get away from all this crap and I don't expect to have to suffer from generic health and safety drivel posted here by some character who is not quite an official spokesman for some quasi government department.

Do Scuttlebutt users really need to be told…


[ QUOTE ]
* Don’t run out of fuel
* Do you have enough lifejackets with you that actually fit those on board
* Service your liferaft
* Don’t forget to check the weather before you set out


[/ QUOTE ]

[/ QUOTE ]

YES! some people do need to be told, if only you had ever been in the shoes of a lifeboat station, then you would understand how many EVERY year get into problems, & how many have your attitude. You have no idea what it like for crews to get up @ 3am to go out & tow somebody like you ashore, because you "Dont like" being given saftey advice. It seems to me, that you do need to read this sort of advise, because you think you know best already & it's always the ones who think they know best that dont.

I am sure you would find the RNLI fine when you need their help!

 

[Lifeboat]

Re: Irritating? Yes indeed.

[ QUOTE ]
I won't take Lifeboat seriously until he declares who he is and his relationship to the RNLI. He has been challenged about this before on ybw.com.

And as to the advice provided, well it is about as useful as a 1950's government information film on how to survive a nuclear strike.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is going off topic here, but i will answer this. YOU seem to be obsessed with this whole "Who are you" thing. So what, i dont want to put my full name etc on here. I dont because of people like you, i have not been challenged as you put it, on here before. What you refer to, is a totally seperate issue, that was about taking advice on website building! what is my relationship to the RNLI, i think is very clear.

[ QUOTE ]
And as to the advice provided, well it is about as useful as a 1950's government information film on how to survive a nuclear strike

[/ QUOTE ]

And as for this statement, thats fine if you feel like this about safety advice, but please dont put anybody at risk, because of your ignorance. If you dont like it, then just dont read any postings by me, cos chances are it will be about lifeboats or related subjects.

Now, lets put an end to this & just get on with the site.

 

[Ships_Cat]

Re: Irritating? Yes indeed.

Come on, don't get carried away - you will be telling him that he needs you to tell him how to comb his hair and wash behind his ears next.

I did a double take at your original post (er posts 'cos dual) and thought they would probably be fair enough if posted by the RNLI itself but seemed a little strange and like unprovoked primitive lesson giving coming from an anonymous poster.

However, your last three posts move your posts into the realms of being those from a self righteous southern preacher man in my view and not worthy of any consideration at all.

John

 

[FullCircle]

Re: Irritating? Yes indeed.

[[[This is going off topic here, but i will answer this. YOU seem to be obsessed with this whole "Who are you"]]]

So you didn't answer it then?
Not bothered either way, but you did say you would answer it. Not looking for names I think ( only don't care open people like me post forum names as real names) but the link to the organisation would probably help. Lots of people on this forum, some open, some under a bushel, but none calling themselves Lifeboat with a link back to RNLI, posting RNLI checklist info. Some of the professionals on here get a hard time too. All that proves is you can't know everything.
There used to be a poster on here whose byeline was......
'the advice I give is worth exactly what you paid for it....'
If you are going to burst into print then please at least allow the dear reader some measure of your depth.

Yours charmingly,

Jim