RNLI Call Outs

[Guest]

I notice from the RNLI web site that there were 6573 call outs in the year 2000 for UK waters.

Very high up the list I believe are yachts that have lost use of their engine. I can understand this if there is bad weather or probable danger but from what I have heard myself, this does not often seem to be the case.

Does the team think that :-

1. The skipper would probably like to give it a go but family/crew pressure him.

2. Many yachts now are really motorboats with sails (fair enough)

3. Fewer yotties are coming through from the dingy ranks.

4. Possible other reasons.

 

[Guest]

I'm always amazed at the lifeboats being called out to tow boats when the weather is calm, tides are slack and the boat in 'distress' is surrounded by other vesels that could lend a hand. Are people embarassed to ask other boaters for help? Are boaters unwilling to get involved in other people's problems? Are boats not equipped to give a tow? Do most boaters have a clue about how to tow? Is HMG too quick to call out the RNLI rather than ask for other vessels to lend a hand?

 

[iangrant]

I have the greatest respect for the RNLI and we really need them. On the other side of the coin, a little bird tells me that they actually like going out and really and dont need much of an excuse!!

 

[steve_cronin]

My experience doesn\'t quite concur with your state

.ments.

My experience of south coast sailng ceased last season ans was only 27 years. However in that time I was asked by the GC to assist other vessels on numerous occassions. During 2000 I towed two vessels and went to the assistance of two others only to discover that they had been persuaded to join "Seastart" in the meantime. In fact it was my experience that in machinery/fuel situations the CG always asked if the casualty was a member of Seastart before going on to make other arrangements.

Personally I have always held the principle of never owning ANY machine that I didn't understand the workings of or would be able to repair - I remember changing a cylinder head gasket in Alderney back in the 80's. However that is a personal view and messing about with mechanical bits is often looked down upon by our interlectual superiors!

Surely self-reliance is a major priority with offshore (or even coastal) boating?

Steve Cronin

 

[Guest]

I also have the greatest admiration for these guys who risk life and limb to help us and others. I quite happily cough up the annuals without question and any extra I can find.

But I agree with Ian, having seen them in action ..... I have to admit twice on my behalf - over many years I must add - Yep one guy literally came swinging over like Captain Blackbeard .... slashed away at ropes and sheets ......It was a sight !!

The other occasion I am sure that they didn't really have to use the Rocket line, but Whooooooosh that cam over and then the long hauling in of the towing hawser !

Guys - you're fantastic and I honestly believe that you do enjoy an excuse to 'let rip' - why shouldn't you !!!!

Cheers
Nigel

 

[Guest]

Some seem frivilous but an early call and tow from the RNLI gets people home safe
There are also too many Blackbeards actually sailing who wouldnt admit to being in any danger and end up putting lifeboat crews, helicopter crews and many others at risk on their behalf.

I concur with the practice to buy a good boat keep it in good condition AND KNOW HOW TO SAIL IT PROPERLY

 

[johnt]

you clearly dont recall the case not so long ago

an old fella in a 25 footer was having trouble getting into salcombe..dead engine...and the Cg was asking for someone to give him a tow, I was in Exmouth listening in at the time

they picked him up of chesil beach a week later one of his keels was stove in and his foresail was still flying .he was dead of course!

so it seems to me that in fair weather or foul the first person you rely on is yourself!..........and frankly I wouldnt rely on another yottie at all ...not after that !

 

[Guest]

Re: My experience doesn\'t quite concur with your state

I like the title of your post. Such a delicately English euphemism!

 

[Guest]

When you say "the skipper would probably like to give it a go" are you referring to going into port under sail? A Sunsail skipper of a flotilla once made an interesting comment which made me think. He said there are only two kinds of people who go into harbour without engines - those who haven't got one and idiots!! I tend to concur with this - why take the chance of mooring under sail with the higher risks of damaging your yacht and other people's boats when with the assistance of the RNLI or others you can get in with less risk? I believe that RYA practical training includes this element (am I correct?) but how often do people get the chance to practice this skill. If I crunched a charter Yacht with a £1000 security deposit just because I was having a go at coming in under sail, I don't think my crew would be that keen on forking out for their share of the £1000 on that basis.


Fewkeste

 

[Guest]

I'm not sure that the RNLI would consider themselves as running a gelcoat protection service.

"but how often do people get the chance to practice this skill": manouevering under sail is a basic skill, and a broken down engine is a good chance to practice.

Obviously one shouldn't do so in a way that risks causing damage to other boats. Part of the skill is using common sense as to where to berth. Manoeuvering under sail into a tight slot in a marina would be irresponsible. But it is nearly always possible to find some relatively easy wharf or visitors pontoon where you can come along side under sail temporarily without risking other boats.

 

[Guest]

I accept to some degree what you're saying but manoeuvering under sail onto a quay or onto a pontoon is somewhat different to say doing a man overboard recovery with sail out in the open sea. Get it wrong and you go round again - get it wrong on a pontoon and crunch. I've never berthed a yacht under sail in 17 years of sailing - maybe I should learn - but if it happened tomorrow I think I would call RNLI or seastart. Can RNLI turn round to a skipper and say "We think you should continue into port under sail - were not coming out" or would such a situation not occur? I get the impression that a good number of situations become more serious because of the reluctance to call for assistance early enough on the part of the skipper of the affected vessel.

Fewkeste

 

[Bergman]

Is there a sort of compromise for this situation, like sail to marina entrance and get the marina launch to tow onto the berth. One could even launch the dinghy and tow with that. Its even possible without an outboard.

I only had to moor under sail in anger once and made a hash of it because it was my first time into that harbour and I had the wrong sail up. Fortunately I got away without damage, mainly due to having a very manouverable boat, but it wasn't pretty.

 

[steve_cronin]

Re: \"euphemism\"

A word of Greek origin I believe.

I have often been criticised for being sarcastic, maging snide comments or in being quick to exercise the "double entendre" but I am a simple man who only troes to say just exactly what he means and mean just exactly what he says. It is the lot of some of us to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous injustice so to speak! Alas and alack!

Steve Cronin

 

[brianrunyard]

A tow may well be the most sensible option, but that's not what the RNLI is there for, they are a rescue organisation, there are other ways of getting a tow. If your car broke down on the motorway, you wouldn't expect the fire brigade to come and tow you home!

 

[Guest]

Translating into English

You mean that wasn't a euphemism?

 

[duncan]

Listening in to such calls form time to time makes me wonder how many people keep a VHF listening watch at all.

Portland calling any vessel in the area of Poole Harbour entrance last week got a single response from a vessel anchored in Studland - from where I was (Blood Alley) I could see many many vessels leaving/entering the harbour (sail and power). 5 mins later 2 ILBs arrived.
Is there a psychological reason for people not responding - is the coastguard aware of it ?