No Free tows from R.N.L.I. ?

[Juan Twothree]

The main points of the amended policy are as follows:

Firstly, a lifeboat will no longer be tasked specifically to provide a tow to a broken down vessel; instead, it will will be tasked to a vessel in distress. What happens when it gets there is down to a discussion between the coxswain/helm and the skipper. In nearly every case, the lifeboat will then take the vessel under tow.
You might think that this is just a matter of semantics; I couldn't possibly comment, but apparently it is important, as it concerns the RNLI's relationship with the MCA, as technically the RNLI is only authorised to act as a lifesaving service.

If there is a suitable alternative vessel that can provide the tow instead, then a lifeboat wouldn't even get tasked.

Secondly, the tow will only be to the nearest safe haven. This has actually been the policy for as long as I can remember, but it hasn't been very strictly enforced. Once again, the definition of a suitable destination will be the result of a discussion between the coxswain/helm and the skipper, but would include consideration of type of vessel, weather forecast, condition and capabilities of the occupants etc

One of the reasons for this change has been that lifeboats have got involved in some situations that they shouldn't, resulting in serious injuries to crew, and damage to lifeboats. Although obviously, if a lifeboat is required to hold a large casualty off a lee shore until more suitable help arrives, then that will still happen. On which note, you'd be surprised how well an Atlantic RIB can tow an 1100 ton aggregate barge.

Allegedly,,,,,

 

[Gary Fox]

The main points of the amended policy are as follows:

Firstly, a lifeboat will no longer be tasked specifically to provide a tow to a broken down vessel; instead, it will will be tasked to a vessel in distress. What happens when it gets there is down to a discussion between the coxswain/helm and the skipper. In nearly every case, the lifeboat will then take the vessel under tow.
You might think that this is just a matter of semantics; I couldn't possibly comment, but apparently it is important, as it concerns the RNLI's relationship with the MCA, as technically the RNLI is only authorised to act as a lifesaving service.

If there is a suitable alternative vessel that can provide the tow instead, then a lifeboat wouldn't even get tasked.

Secondly, the tow will only be to the nearest safe haven. This has actually been the policy for as long as I can remember, but it hasn't been very strictly enforced. Once again, the definition of a suitable destination will be the result of a discussion between the coxswain/helm and the skipper, but would include consideration of type of vessel, weather forecast, condition and capabilities of the occupants etc

One of the reasons for this change has been that lifeboats have got involved in some situations that they shouldn't, resulting in serious injuries to crew, and damage to lifeboats. Although obviously, if a lifeboat is required to hold a large casualty off a lee shore until more suitable help arrives, then that will still happen. On which note, you'd be surprised how well an Atlantic RIB can tow an 1100 ton aggregate barge.

Allegedly,,,,,

Thanks, sounds like a good idea, and hopefully it will be widely publicised to those who may treat the RNLI as a recovery service, like the AA.

 

[lustyd]

not like you can carry a spare can of fuel........

No, but an electric yacht can and will often carry the means to generate more electricity. It might not be as quick as using a fuel can, but it can be used more than once, unlike your fuel can.

 

[Capt Popeye]

Yea, if so it could effect the RNLI donations a bit, a digruntled Boatperson just might get the hump

Anyways, its not as if the RNLI are actually stretched with their recources is it, doubt that towing in would interfeer with a Call out of any urgency; to the RNLI crew it would be good practice anyway, as the lessons learnt undertaking a simple tow would help them undertaking a serious, poss life /death towing task.

OR the RNLI could aquaint themselves with numerous other Boat Owners in the areas and give them a call ?

Just have to see the validity of the opening post ?

 

[lustyd]

£700 million doesn't go as far as it used to, you know. They need those donations!

 

[Capt Popeye]

Thanks, sounds like a good idea, and hopefully it will be widely publicised to those who may treat the RNLI as a recovery service, like the AA.

Yea might be so, so no recovery by the RNLI = no donations to RNLI

 

[Mark-1]

Seems as good a time as any to mention these guys are brilliant:
Marine Breakdown Assistance by Sea Start

 

[Kelpie]

Last year a well intentioned bystander called the CG to say that my boat was dragging its mooring. There was nobody onboard and therefore no risk to life. Despite this fact, the LB was tasked on what would have been a 70nm+ round trip. I managed to get it called off and later found that the boat was in exactly the same place as I'd left her. Quite embarrassing and a waste of resources.

Whose call would that have been- CG or RNLI?

 

[madabouttheboat]

When I was in the US, the police and rescue service would not even put a line on the vessel unless there was a clear danger to life, they would just wait until sea-tow or boatUS arrived.

These services are very widespread in the US and, like the AA or RAC, it makes sense to join and have that security should you have a breakdown etc. In the UK we only have Seastart, as mentioned below, who are great but operate in a very limited sea area. No good for anyway away from the Solent really. If Sea Start were all around our coast, I would certainly join, but I suspect they have looked at the numbers of boats and decided most areas simply don't add up.

Seems as good a time as any to mention these guys are brilliant:
Marine Breakdown Assistance by Sea Start

 

[penfold]

Last year a well intentioned bystander called the CG to say that my boat was dragging its mooring. There was nobody onboard and therefore no risk to life. Despite this fact, the LB was tasked on what would have been a 70nm+ round trip. I managed to get it called off and later found that the boat was in exactly the same place as I'd left her. Quite embarrassing and a waste of resources.

Whose call would that have been- CG or RNLI?

Did you discover what made the bystander think it was adrift?

 

[Capt Popeye]

I have Just read a thread on a different site that is sugesting that lifeboat policy has changed when life is not in danger. The following is copied from the other site.

The days of been towed in by the RNLI are over unless they determine a risk to life exists, by they the onus to make the decision of wether life is at risk has been placed on the coxswain/helm of the lifeboat. The lifeboats may launch to assess the situation and go from there.
“Quote
Why should the way we are tasked to tow change?
If aspects of our towing activities could be interpreted as commercial (i.e. could be carried out by a commercial provider without further jeopardising the risk to life), this could have implications for us with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Marine Survey Office as we are only authorised to operate as a lifesaving service.
We are set up and trained to help people in distress, not to provide a free tow service.
“Unquote

Yea might be a new WOKE type change to the norm, might expect the RNLI management to resist getting hands dirty soon.

Its NOT as if the RNLI are actually busy , is it ?

Reminicent of the lives lost in recent years due to the Lifeguards not being allocated to some beaches caus the Councils did not have the money available, even though the Lifeguards have plenty of funding available to them, ! urg

 

[seafox67]

Seems as good a time as any to mention these guys are brilliant:
Marine Breakdown Assistance by Sea Start

It's a shame it doesn't cover all the UK! They could use a similar business model to 'Green Flag' where they contract out the tow to local marine companies!

 

[Tamar]

Whilst I don't agree with the lifeboat being used as a tow me home tug, especially when some boat owners can't be bothered to check fuel or filters before going out. But surely to tow a boat back home is useful training for these guys, without it some stations might be called out on a genuine emergency only a handful of times a year.

 

[lustyd]

If Sea Start were all around our coast, I would certainly join, but I suspect they have looked at the numbers of boats and decided most areas simply don't add up.

While the RNLI maintain a monopoly on rescue and recovery services it's not commercially viable to run as a business, I'm surprised they manage to make a profit even in the Solent. Unfortunately the RNLI is such a money making monster machine that we're stuck in a sort of limbo where we can't have a public emergency service, and commercial recovery outfits can't survive, yet we're constantly berated for using the RNLI. It's all very British.

Also, anything deemed criticism of this national institution is met with a very swift response explaining how evil someone is for even suggesting there could be another way. See below...

 

[pvb]

Also, anything deemed criticism of this national institution is met with a very swift response explaining how evil someone is for even suggesting there could be another way. See below...

Just like the NHS then...

 

[Juan Twothree]

Yea might be a new WOKE type change to the norm, might expect the RNLI management to resist getting hands dirty soon.

Its NOT as if the RNLI are actually busy , is it ?

Reminicent of the lives lost in recent years due to the Lifeguards not being allocated to some beaches caus the Councils did not have the money available, even though the Lifeguards have plenty of funding available to them, ! urg

Why not read my reply, stating what the actual policy involves?

 

[Biggles Wader]

Why not read my reply, stating what the actual policy involves?

Silly question from someone who has been ten years on this forum.

 

[Juan Twothree]

Last year a well intentioned bystander called the CG to say that my boat was dragging its mooring. There was nobody onboard and therefore no risk to life. Despite this fact, the LB was tasked on what would have been a 70nm+ round trip. I managed to get it called off and later found that the boat was in exactly the same place as I'd left her. Quite embarrassing and a waste of resources.

Whose call would that have been- CG or RNLI?

The RNLI isn't in a position to guage the accuracy or otherwise of calls made to the CG.

If we've been requested to launch then, unless we definitely know otherwise, we have to take the information we are given on trust.

 

[MystyBlue2]

Ridiculous if you ask me, I've paid 100's in donations over the past 10years into the local lifeboat station and now they tell me i dont qualify for a tow if i have engine failure out at sea. No good taking me to the closest safe haven as where i fish is 3 miles down the coast from where i launch and the closest safe haven would be a complete different harbour from where my car and trailer is!

They are complaining about being used as a towing service...What about the FREE recovery service they send out for the illegals? Thats ok is it? But for a guy that has donated to them, I will be refused?

Theres not always other vessels near by to give the tow instead and what about other scenarios where there might be other boats out but there just not suitable to secure a tow safely.

NOBODY should look at the RNLI as the AA but towing should definitely be part of their job as a drifting boat with engine failure could easily escalate from a PAN-PAN to a MAYDAY!

 

[pvb]

They are complaining about acting as a towing service...What about the FREE recovery service they send out for the illegals? Thats ok is it? But for a guy that has donated to them, I will be refused?

Now that's a good point. But you won't get a sensible answer to it.