If there was no RNLI

[graham]

If there was no RNLI or other rescue services .Would it affect the way you sail,would you carry any additional equipment ,would you pack up and sell the boat?

Personally I would carry on pretty much as normal.A liferaft would be pretty pointless with noone coming out to rescue you from it.I would opt for an inflateable dinghy with a sailing rig and survival equipment.

When you ponder on it it is quite a sobering thought.

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[Sgeir]

Hmm, interesting idea. I don't think it would make any difference as the elements of risk-taking, risk-assessment, understanding one's limitations, measuring the objective/subjective factors etc etc, is part of sailing, rock climbing, ice climbing and other great stuff. If there was no risk attached, I doubt if any of these sports/pastimes would be terribly popular.

You'll always get the occasional boat/person who will unnecessarily call the coastguard or mountain rescue team.

We'd never bothered with a liferaft, but after reading about the converted fishing boat that sank off SE Ireland, leaving the people in a raft for 7/8 days, made me think again. I suspect a raft is rather more stable than a dinghy, and even without the RNLI, you still have a better chance of reaching land in one. We bought one recently.

<hr width=100% size=1>My father was born in Govan. They had a ferry at the bottom of the garden.

 

[Talbot]

No different to being anywhere else in the world. Just cause there would be no RNLI, would not stop merchant shipping, and military search and rescue. Personally consider that coatsguard are just as important in the SAR role, cause if the people doing the search and recue dont know that you need help, nothing is likely to happen.

After all there have been extreme examples where a satellite phone call has alerted UK Coastguard to an emergency off malaysia, and thus lead to the rescue. This highlights the need for some means to raise the alarm. If you are travelling outside the reach of your VHF, then you need something else (e.g. and Epirb). IMHO the concept of sailing away from your problem in a small boat should only be considered if you are a long way from shipping routes, otherwise you will quickly be outside the search area!

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[Sgeir]

Mind you I really pity the CGs sometimes. There was a really shirty guy bawling out Clyde CG this summer because the weather was not as described on the inshore forecast. There's something new!

They were very professional about it, but the guy wouldn't let up, and sounded on the verge of apoplexy.

<hr width=100% size=1>My father was born in Govan. They had a ferry at the bottom of the garden.

 

[machurley22]

Heard a guy last year demanding to know why there had been no scheduled forecast. Clyde CG were very nice to him also rather than just giving a straight "Seelonce Mayday". One of the joys of less congested waters perhaps... but what am I saying... actually Clyde CG are a shower of b'sta'ds who hate yotties, the weather is never as forecast, the midgies have a 12" proboscis (is that what you call the bit they spear you with?) etc etc.

Wandered off thread - sorry

Dave

<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by machurley22 on 04/12/2004 16:51 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[Sgeir]

Sounds like the same guy on another occasion - CCG had to explain that they couldnae broadcast a new forecast until the met office faxed it through to them.

QUIZ: anyone noticed a common thread with Les Miserables. Nationality, to pluck one strand out of the air?

<hr width=100% size=1>My father was born in Govan. They had a ferry at the bottom of the garden.

 

[boomerangben]

SAR is the primary role for the MCA. Any civilian maritime rescue, whether involving RNLI, merchant vessel, military aircraft or the CG's own aircraft and rescue teams is coordinated by the CG. Moreover, I think I am right in saying that they are obliged to commit whatever suitable assets are available to them to effect SAR operations. So without the RNLI, the CGs would have to respond to a call for help or overdue vessel using whatever they can get their hands and that might include us, the humble yachtie.

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[machurley22]

BTW - You had gardens leading down to the Clyde in your part of Govan??? Sounds more like Henley.

Dave

<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by machurley22 on 04/12/2004 17:52 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[Sgeir]

Ferry Nuff. Naw, just kiddin' about the gairdens. Anyway, it was my Dad that was born there. His father and grandfather worked in, I think, the then David Elder yard. His father later escaped to Saltcoats and worked at the Ardrossan Dockyard.

<hr width=100% size=1>My father was born in Govan. They had a ferry at the bottom of the garden.

 

[Sea Devil]

In most western countries it is the coast guard boats and military navy boats that take the role of the RNLI - They tend to charge for the service and if you are in trouble or need a tow then a commercial service comes out and tows - for a price.
Seems to work OK.

<hr width=100% size=1>If you have time please visit my web site -
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.michaelbriant.com/sailing>http://www.michaelbriant.com/sailing</A>

 

[ShipsWoofy]

If there was no SAR or help available would we still go sailing, which I think is what you are asking.

Yes, I like to consider ourselves as self sufficient as possible, the rest is unfortunately that part which includes risk. Having built the boat pretty much from bottom up and using the KISS principle when it comes to major systems on board and with what spares I try to carry, we should make landfall should something break.

If something dire happens, then um, I guess we are going to have to find our Gods or hope the dinghy is up to the job of getting us home.

Having the SAR and other boats able and willing to help is an absolute bonus, which I hope we will never require. No one should set to sea with the idea that someone is available to come and get them out of crap. The fact there is, is a testament to the heritage in this country.



<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk>

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[Sgeir]

We'll ignore the plagiarism, but at least it's not a blue ensign.

<hr width=100% size=1>My father was born in Govan. They had a ferry at the bottom of the garden.

 

[Talbot]

<<might include us>> No "might" about it. It is a mariners legal duty to respond to a mayday, and if the most suitable vessel, to take on the duty of SAR co-ordinator on scene (a duty frequently assumed by Nimrod aircraft, especially when the main SAR asset is a helicopter) In the solent I have been involved with a number of other small craft in a search co-ordinated by an inshore rescue craft for someone missing overboard (unsuccessfull unfortunately). Warships are more frequently assigned the role of SAR co-ordinator on scene, because them have the personnel and communications to be capable of doing the job. But in an offshore scenario, especially clear of a shipping lane, anyone of us might end up with the responsibility.

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[ShipsWoofy]

Which plagiarism?

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[Sgeir]

Very good - I take it you watched the Jack Nicholson film as well

;-)




<hr width=100% size=1>My father was born in Govan. They had a ferry at the bottom of the garden.

 

[ShipsWoofy]

I don't understand?

Are you having a go at me about something?

Which film?

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk>

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[Sgeir]

And how often do you change the socks then?

<hr width=100% size=1>My father was born in Govan. They had a ferry at the bottom of the garden.

 

[Sgeir]

Ah sorry, the Jack Nicholson that was on the telly earlier. It was just the time of the posting.

<hr width=100% size=1>My father was born in Govan. They had a ferry at the bottom of the garden.

 

[machurley22]

Wouldn't worry about it Woofy, I suspect Sgeir is suffering from (enjoying!) SAMS (Scotsman-at-Midnight Syndrome) and his brain is going faster than the rest of us can follow. /forums/images/icons/wink.gif I suspect he's not alone.

Dave

BTW love your latest avatar though it does look suspiciously like blue touch-paper as in "light blue touch-paper and stand well back" - isn't one ensign post per week enough for you?

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[Sgeir]

Woofy's enzymes are great!

<hr width=100% size=1>My father was born in Govan. They had a ferry at the bottom of the garden.