Is the RLNI a breakdown service?

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However I do see a lot of people, mostly motor boaters of one sort or another, heading out of the estuary without even a back up outboard. No single engined mobo should put to sea without some sort of back up propulsion, either an outboard or a wing engine.

let the barrage commence! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

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Of course in an ideal world we would all have back up propulsion fitted in case of emergency, but the fact is, most of us don't, and in many cases couldn't as there is no facility for fitting one. Next time you're at the marina take a look around, many boats up to 30 feet have single engines fitted, and I don't think you'll see many with auxililiary power, sufficient to get them out of trouble, fitted.
Pardon my ignorance, but what's a wing engine?
 
I had the misfortune a couple of years back to lose one engine on a 40' motorboat which happened to be the one with the power steering attached. We, my wife and two children of 3 and 5 at the time, were heading back from Dartmouth to the Solent in a Force 5-6 South Westerly and were about 10 miles south of the 'race' off Portland Bill. Big swells continually made the boat turn beam on to the waves and the steering was so hard as to make it very tiring to attempt to keep the boat going with the waves, allowing a safer headway. I was reasonably confident we could make Weymouth but thought it prudent to call the coastguard to advise them of our potentially tricky situation just in case and also so that someone knew what was going on and where we were. Once I told them of our position and the fact that we had two young children they didn't hesitate to send out the Weymouth lifeboat who came out and towed us back in to safety. They checked over my boat and were very happy with the equipment and the general seaworthiness of the boat... So, in this instance it was the RNLI who chose to act as the breakdown service and I think they should be the one's who should make the descision based on the circumstances at the time. Their view of our incident was that we could easily have been blown into the race due to my current position and heading and the situation could have got a lot worse, potentially life threatening. If there was no danger element to our breakdown I would not have 'expected' a tow in to a safe haven. I think let the experts do what they feel best.
 
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However I do see a lot of people, mostly motor boaters of one sort or another, heading out of the estuary without even a back up outboard. No single engined mobo should put to sea without some sort of back up propulsion, either an outboard or a wing engine.

let the barrage commence! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

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Of course in an ideal world we would all have back up propulsion fitted in case of emergency, but the fact is, most of us don't, and in many cases couldn't as there is no facility for fitting one. Next time you're at the marina take a look around, many boats up to 30 feet have single engines fitted, and I don't think you'll see many with auxililiary power, sufficient to get them out of trouble, fitted.
Pardon my ignorance, but what's a wing engine?

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A back up engine will not usually get you back to port, it will help you hold your position while help is on its way. Surely as soon as you set sail your life is at risk.....?
 
"Their view of our incident was that we could easily have been blown into the race due to my current position and heading and the situation could have got a lot worse, potentially life threatening. If there was no danger element to our breakdown I would not have 'expected' a tow in to a safe haven. I think let the experts do what they feel best."

Then they quite rightly made the decision that your situation was potentially life threatening. They didn't come out to you because you had broken down, they came at the request of the CMA who considered that it was the best thing to do.

The RNLI didn't make the decision to launch, they were requested to do so by the CMA.
 
All the above are correct in my opinion.

The implication that people should not assume the RNLI are a breakdown service is fair. If you set out to sea you should make reasonable provision for a breakdown event.

...drifting seawards... why no anchor please. This does suggest lack of planning, for which they should be roundly spanked.

The boaters did the correct thing - called the coastguard. Perhaps they should have also called Conwy harbourmaster or Conwy marina to see if there are any commercial vessels who can be hired to provide a tow. People of course worry about salvage... comments welcome.

Coastguard made the correct call... minimize the risk.

A similar example. I was motoring down the Mersey a few years ago after a race. Sudden engine alarm... overheating. So I killed the engine, raised the mainsail (ragtop) & investigated. No cooling water, but also all electrics died!

Oddly enough, the Hoylake offshore lifeboat was passing. I made the decision to call Liverpool coastguard by mobile to call the lifeboat to ask for a tow. They towed me about 5 minutes to a point where I could enter the docks under tow by another boat (nobby Quest ... thangyouverymuch).

How do I look back at the event... I was sailing, so I was not in imminent danger. However, the weather was poor, and getting worse. The ebb is very strong, & I would have ended spending the night at sea. I had competent crew, so not a worry. BUT ... minimize the risk! So I made the call, felt very embarrassed. Once locking in to the docks I found a loose battery terminal (radio/electrics loss), and I think the choppy seas (wind over tide in Mesey... not nice) allowed air to enter the primary cooling water system too much. I have since altered the orientation of the strainer & have not had that problem re-occur even in very choppy conditions.

I still feel embarrassed about the event, especially as I also asked another boat for a tow & his aft cleat was damaged due to the choppy conditions.

I still think I did the right thing... reduce the risk.

In case there is any implication in the OP that only mobo's are careless enough to get caught out...

Heading back in to Conwy several years ago... aways in the distance I saw a sail being lowered. Hmmm... looks like a dinghy. So I motored over. Sure enough three adults, wind died, can't padle against the ebb, start to feel sick, take down the sail (why). No mobile, no vhf, no anchor. Took them in tow, invited them aboard... offered water (no... no water either!). THey had gone for a 'little sail' of the beach at Conwy & got caught up in a falling wind & a spring tide ebb. Happy ending that could have gone differently. WE chatted about the dangers, & they were aware they had a lesson to learn.

Sweeties...they invited us to a BBQ to say thank you but we had prior engagement.

So. We all cock up. Minimize the risk. Learn your lesson. Mobos, dinghies... make sure you have a good anchor with PLENTY of warp. Worst comes to the worst.. anchor down, wait for the flood, float back in again!

Rant over. I was bored.
 
"A back up engine will not usually get you back to port, it will help you hold your position while help is on its way. Surely as soon as you set sail your life is at risk.....?"

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Depends on how big the back up engine is, and it should be big enough to give the boat enough speed to make a safe haven, even if slowly.

There is usually some way an outboard bracket can be fitted to most Mobos, I have the feeling that they are not for aesthetic reasons more than anything else.

A wing engine is usaully a smaller engine than the main unit, offset to one side of the engine space, nowadays an efficient folding propellor can be mounted on the end of the wing shaft to reduce drag to the minimum.

I do smile sometimes, moboers will spend thousands on all the toys that their wallets will stand, but it does seem that auxilory power is bottom of the list? Incidentally, a 10 to 15hp 4 stroke will push a 30 footer at about 4 to 5 knots, enough to make safe haven, even if it is a lot slower than you are used to.

A friend of mine has a 30 foot angling boat, with a 10hp Honda on the stern for back up on a drop down bracket, 4.5 knots no trouble.
 
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I do smile sometimes, moboers will spend thousands on all the toys that their wallets will stand, but it does seem that auxilory power is bottom of the list? Incidentally, a 10 to 15hp 4 stroke will push a 30 footer at about 4 to 5 knots, enough to make safe haven, even if it is a lot slower than you are used to.

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Not guilty! We have a 4HP auxiliary on a drop down bracket which gives us 4 knots, wouldn't necesarily get us home, but would give us some control and allow us to make safe haven.
Thanks for the wing engine explanation.
 
The RNLI didn't make the decision to launch, they were requested to do so by the CMA.

Actually the CG REQUEST the lifeboat launch, the decision to launch is with the Lifeboat Launching Authority/Coxswain/Lifeboat Operations Manager...

Can't recall any every refusing though.

W.
 
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The RNLI didn't make the decision to launch, they were requested to do so by the CMA.

Actually the CG REQUEST the lifeboat launch, the decision to launch is with the Lifeboat Launching Authority/Coxswain/Lifeboat Operations Manager...

Can't recall any every refusing though.

W.

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Isn't that what was said?? "The RNLI were requested to launch by the CMA", unless that request went in, it is highly unlikely they would launch, they may attend an incident independantly if a mayday was heard whilst they were already at sea.

Refusing??? No they don't, pretty incredible isn't it? The level of courage that the RNLI crews display, makes me feel quite humble.
 
It's ok, he just lost the plot for a minute /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Re auxilory and wing engine.......

Well done you, and you're welcome! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Anyway, I seem to have hi-jacked this thread a bit so apologies to the OP, and cheers to all!
 
Philz Just happens you were the last to post before my reply... not directed at you.

Chrusty1 The point I was trying to make (badly again) - was that the coastguard don't make the actual launch decision.

I do know of one case recently where a lifeboat didn't launch but this is not the appropriate place to discuss it /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif However launching without CG request is more common than you might expect...

W.
 
I have used to RNLI once due to an error on my part, (twas very early in my boating life I would add) they were indeed very professional and I was most gratefull.

I went afterwards to the RNLI station to thank them and donated £150, to their fund. I think in these instances where someone runs out of fuel or the like it is the proper thing to do to show your gratitude.
 
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Philz Just happens you were the last to post before my reply... not directed at you.

Chrusty1 The point I was trying to make (badly again) - was that the coastguard don't make the actual launch decision.

I do know of one case recently where a lifeboat didn't launch but this is not the appropriate place to discuss it /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif However launching without CG request is more common than you might expect...

W.

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Yes I know that, but they do more often than not make the request to launch.

Re. your second point, no I wasn't aware of that, and thanks for pointing it out.

Good thread, enjoyed it very much, mind you if you stinkies were to go over to rag and stick, it would much easier for you to have two methods of propulsion.......... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Yes I know, bugger orf Chrusty! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
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Ah, but as Devil's Advocate...

Why do so many raggies call for assistance when they have engine failure? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

W.

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Cos they have nothing to charge their batteries and they need to watch the telly? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Blimey! I thought I might get one or two replies but I'm surprised at the level of response.

On face value my initial thoughts were that this was not a life-threatening situation - they were "near the end of the Conwy channel" so presumably somewhere near C2 but they were "drifting seaward" and therefore not in any immediate danger of running aground. Use of an anchor and calling Conwy marina or harbourmaster to request a tow would have been more appropriate than calling the coastguard. The fact that the RNLI were called out makes me think that on this occasion they were being used more as a 'free' breakdown service rather than to save lives in an emergency situation. That line of thought makes me think the RNLI should charge for the costs involved.
 
No comment! In the nicest possible way of course! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
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