RNLI Sea Check - How big is the Problem?

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Oen

Oen

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I posted here a while ago 'outing' problems I'd had arranged a Sea Check. Phone calls not returned, e-mails unanswered, and so forth. Eventually, one was organised (but only after my protest here). It was very worthwhile, and as promised, I wrote it up here in another thread.

However, two people replied to that thread saying they were having similar problems. I have the very deepest respect and admiration for the folk who go out on Lifeboats. Equally, as someone who contributes regularly to the cost of the organisation, I have concerns that some parts of it are not performing.

Therefore, could I ask you to reply to the following, ONLY if you're a boat owner?

NOTE: If you had a Sea Check more than, say, a year ago, please accept that I should have made a place for you to tick, but didn't!
 
Darn, that'll teach me not to review the questions properly... Post edited to take account of your highly effective quality assurance programme!
 
It should be borne in mind that the Sea Check scheme is carried out by local yottie volunteers - not by 'Inspectors from the RNLI'....

The guys 'n gals strive to provide a useful and free advisory service - they're putting something back into the game - and the RNLI's role is to promote, co-ordinate, and to maintain 'singing from the same hymnsheet'.

The Sea Checkers I've met try hard to be useful, certainly do not attempt to dictate, and usually can suggest something either money-saving ( like where to get the cheapest effective fire extinguishers ) or potentially life-saving, for each boat owner's circumstances and interests.

I haven't met anyone who's had a Sea Check who hasn't thought it valuable.

But, the Regional Organisers are worked off their feet, and so are many of the SC volunteers in the popular spots. So why not invite a fellow-enthusiast along to your boat - it'll cost you only a cup of tea and maybe a couple of biscuits.....


/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Bil,

I heartily agree with what you say.

But people are trying to 'invite a fellow-enthusiast along' as you say, and are being let down, not by the Sea Checkers themselves, but by the organisation, which I presume, means people in paid jobs at HQ, at least for part of it.

If it is volunteers who are under tool much pressure to be able to get things sorted out, then the paid folk need to sort out ways of using the volunteers effectively without their tasks becoming onerous, and without letting down people who want Sea Checks... All very much 'in my opinion' of course...

I'm very sorry that, despite assurances that this was being sorted out, within a couple of hours of my posting about my successful Sea Check, two folk with bad experiences like mine posted about theirs.
 
Another kind of missing category -

I will have a seacheck, and consider it important, but havent got round to it yet. I have mountains of orange equipment, and have the Seasafety CD.

I also have a plan of continuous improvement, but cant afford it all at once. This means that I am 'safer' than I was last year, but not as safely equipped as next year.

Good initiative Oen.
 
Fullcircle & Freestyle,

If I've understood you...

I don't for a moment think that a Sea Checker will be unwilling to look over what you have got, and chat about the most cost-effective ways of moving on a step... I'd suggest that you put in for one, and use it as an opportunity to pick up some worthwhile tips...
 
Oen,
its not that I wont submit my boat in a less than perfect condition, what I meant was that I just havent got a round tuit.
Anyone who has been on FC knows that it is a very well equipped boat, but there will always be room for improvement.
Heck, my safety location plan even has the right colour upholstery on the diagram! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
Aaah, in that case, surely you're an 'option 2' - "I'd like to have a Sea Check but I don't have time or know how to arrange one" - are you not?

I appreciate that I should have split the two options, but I was searching for answers to the last three options to gauge the temperature of the water, as it were...
 
My seacheck wasn,t recent unless 2 years ago counts. There were problems in meeting up but it did get resolved. Like a lot of things in this country they are unpaid, doing it to help others and put something back into the "community". From the constructive comments I received from the seachecker (another boat owner) the system can't be faulted. Possibly what it needs are more people to give up time and volunteer. May be I should, but living in Surrey, working and running an 'old' boat does not leave much time.
 
I've been meaning to organise a Sea Check for the last 18 months - so thanks for reminding me about the service. I've just booked one using the RNLI website, ideally to take place in March - I'll let you know how I get on in terms of response etc.
Completely agree with Bilbo's comment about bearing in mind that it is a service reliant on volunteers - amazing really.
 
Another missing option is ' I will have one done after a few other more experience people have given their advice first . Possibly a bad idea but I'd rather not use up their time needlessly
 
I'm told that the nearest sea check bod is some distance from me so if others point out what is obvious to them first , then I'll get sea check to give the final nod
 
You haven't got a box for my situation. Put my name down for one this afternoon at the RNLI stand at the Glasgow outdoors exhibition. Perhaps a bit early to determine what the response will be like.
 
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