Not the RNLI again

T

Timpyne

New Member
Joined
12 Aug 2014
Messages
4
Visit site
I realise that I risk keel hauling, but I think the RNLI's pr machine has got out of hand. How many stories about some bloke being 'rescued' from a completely mundane boating mis-hap can YBW expect their readers to find in the slightest bit interesting?
 
if you dont like them dont read them if we all had to be paid members, maybe they would not be have to , advertise in a way to promote donations
 
seastoke said:
if you dont like them dont read them if we all had to be paid members, maybe they would not be have to , advertise in a way to promote donations
Click to expand...

Well, I know that I am going to get shouted at but....

the last published accounts for the RNLI (31/12/13, they are very slow to publish 2014) show Investments equal to £280 million which represents over 2 years charitable expenditure. So whilst it is a charity close to our hearts and one that I and my family have supported for decades, it is not clear that actually need to raise much money for a while. They have been running at a significant surplus for a long time.
 
They seem to have become the default charity of choice for people with an interest in boats, a bit like the RSPCA for old ladies. They have more money than they know what to do with. What about people like Rona who take hundreds of disadvantaged kids out sailing every year?
 
acbruce said:
Well, I know that I am going to get shouted at but....

the last published accounts for the RNLI (31/12/13, they are very slow to publish 2014) show Investments equal to £280 million which represents over 2 years charitable expenditure. So whilst it is a charity close to our hearts and one that I and my family have supported for decades, it is not clear that actually need to raise much money for a while. They have been running at a significant surplus for a long time.
Click to expand...

Things are very subdued here on the dark side.....

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?430893-RNLI-Draft-2014-Accounts&highlight=
 
We are very lucky to have the RNLI in the UK. They enthusiatically rescue those in need from the shores and afloat without question. In fact crew members have been known to fight to get aboard a lifeboat when too many volunteers respond to a 'shout'. They sometimes put their lives at risk. Sadly lifeboatmen have lost their lives over the many years of service. i.e. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penlee_lifeboat_disaster
It is one of the UK favourite charities second only, it is said, to the Birds one. It is also one of the best funded. At one time it was said they had enough money donated in wills to replace the whole fleet.
The PR machine is excellent from the fund raising point of view. Their PR men make the most mundane 'rescue' sound totally heroic, "more lives saved".
They even rescue those not really in need of rescue but who cares expect those with a a bit of hurt pride.
I would say a big thanks to those volunteers who make it their hobby to help boaters in need and lets excuse the PR machine which is doing a great job.
 
Last edited:
southseaian said:
We are very lucky to have the RNLI in the UK. They enthusiatically rescue those in need from the shores and afloat without question. In fact crew member have been known to fight to get aboard a lifeboat when too many volunteers respond to a 'shout'.
It is one of the UK favourite charities second it is said to the Birds one. It is also one of the best funded. At one time it was said they had enough money donated in wills to replace the whole fleet.
The PR machine is excellent from the fund raising point of view. Their PR men make the most mundane 'rescue' sound totally heroic, "more lives saved".
They even rescue those not really in need of rescue but who cares expect those with a a bit of hurt pride.
I would say a big thanks to those volunteers who make it their hobby to help boaters in need and lets excuse the PR machine which is doing a great job.
Click to expand...

Excellent post.

I hope I never need to call on them, but I am happy and proud to support them by paying my membership.
 
One day you or a family member may have desperate need of their services.
Doubt it will be a copy of their accounts you will reach for first. . :)
 
For those not too keen on giving to the RNLI (although I can't see why) consider helping to fund the independent lifeboats.
Here are two local to the Solent who do some great work.

Gosport & Fareham Inshore Rescue Service, known locally as "GAFIRS", is an independent search and rescue facility covering the Solent and Portsmouth Harbour.
http://www.gafirs.org.uk

Freshwater Independent Lifeboat operates 2 boats 24/7 in an area up to 30M off shore from Hurst Point to St Catherine’s point on the Isle of Wight.
http://www.freshwaterlifeboat.org.uk

I with two others was rescued from a burning motor boat by the Gosport boat, quick and friendly service and most welcome.
We were off Browndown Ranges near Gilkicker Point less than a mile off shore when the engine caught fire. There was no life raft on board. The Gosport heroes arrived just before we actually entered the water.
Two lessons here. First when the tin is rattled - drop some money in. Also even for a short passage from the Hamble to Portsmouth a life raft may well prove useful.
 
oldgit said:
One day you or a family member may have desperate need of their services.
Doubt it will be a copy of their accounts you will reach for first. . :)
Click to expand...

The French provide a similar service at one tenth the cost. And boats at one third the cost.

RNLI : Annual average spent on lifeboats over last 5 years : £15m Liquid reserves : £290+ m.
 
Last edited:
I for one take huge comfort knowing that the RNLI are there, are very efficient, and always respond. Even on what some deem trivial. I'm sure it wasn't trivial to the people in distress. AFAIC every call out is an act of heroism, maybe not always worthy of a gong, but always worthy of a mention.
 
Sybarite said:
The French provide a similar service at one tenth the cost. And boats at one third the cost.

RNLI : Annual average spent on lifeboats over last 5 years : £15m Liquid reserves : £290+ m.
Click to expand...


One of them will send you a bill for towing you in ...wonder which one ?

"The paperwork asked for our name, address, registered number, callsign and the name and address of our insurers which we provided and we were given a copy plus an explanatory sheet in English. Only one guy on the LB crew spoke English and he was fairly low down the pecking order of command it seemed so initially at least communications weren't easy even though my French isn't too bad. I understood them to say there was a charge payable and that the figure was 850 euros calculated as 2hrs at 425 euros/hr for a LB above 13m LOA and a yacht of 12.5m."

Read more at http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?172773-French-Lifeboat-tow#M1t2LYl4btxGYWHr.9


 
Last edited:
Years ago they were threatened with losing their charitable status if they didn't spend the excess - hence the building of the fancy multi-million pound training centre in Poole. More recently they offloaded more money with the expensive Boat Check scheme and a massive advertising budget to raise even more funds. My point is that the RNLI have become a business which is now dominating the yachting press though it's pr arm and I suggest that we might consider diverting our charitable contributions to more cash-strapped organisations which exist to get kids out onto the water. I agree that the RNLI is a valuable resource, don't get me wrong, but there are other more needy equally valuable maritime charities which have become completely eclipsed.
 
oldgit said:
One of them will send you a bill for towing you in ...wonder which one ?

"The paperwork asked for our name, address, registered number, callsign and the name and address of our insurers which we provided and we were given a copy plus an explanatory sheet in English. Only one guy on the LB crew spoke English and he was fairly low down the pecking order of command it seemed so initially at least communications weren't easy even though my French isn't too bad. I understood them to say there was a charge payable and that the figure was 850 euros calculated as 2hrs at 425 euros/hr for a LB above 13m LOA and a yacht of 12.5m."

Read more at http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?172773-French-Lifeboat-tow#M1t2LYl4btxGYWHr.9
Click to expand...

1) In the context of life-saving, there is never a charge.
2) In the event of a breakdown the charge is related to the direct cost of using a lifeboat. In 2012 this represented €345/hr for an all weather boat or €150/hr if the tow can be carried out by a RIB.

In most circumstances your insurance should cover the cost of the tow less your excess.
The lifeboats need to charge because the jurisprudence is such that if their tow causes additional damage, they are liable

The SNSM is under legal attack from commercial towing firms because their rates undercut the commercial ones.

Seems reasonable to me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top