RNLI Sea Check

[TheBoatman]

As a RNLI sea check advisor I have carried out a large number of checks on various craft and I have been wondering whether after the check has been done it has altered anyones views or attitudes to the way they approach safety. So I have a couple of questions which I would be grateful if those of you that have had the check could answer.

1. Has your behaviour changed?

2. Did you purchase any extra equipment?

3. Is there anything further we could do for you?

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[tome]

1 No
2 Yes EPIRB (not directly as a result)
3 No thanks

It was worthwhile talking through various aspects of safety with an independent advisor. His comments were very favourable but I suspect that the very people who could most benefit from this service would not bother to use it.

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[dickh]

I had a seacheck done about 2 years ago, which I thought was conducted in a very friendly way.
Has My behaviour changed? Not really
Extra Equipment? No - I had 95% of what was required, just had to actually tie the bungs to each seacock and make a fire extinguisher access hole in the engine cove, Oh and find the Handbearing Compass!
Possibly one or two other small items which I can't remember.
Anything further? - Not at the moment, you're doing an excellent job.


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I'd rather be sailing... /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[Guest]

I have not had a sea check done but would be interested to see a check list of items together with common faults.
You could probably reach far more people this way.
As to why I haven't had a check done - which weekend are you in Gosport?

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[qsiv]

Let me own up - I havent had a sea check ...

But I'm intrigued as to the behavioural changes item. In what way might you exect the Sea Check to modify behaviours?

On the preparedness front I would earnestly hope that ORC special regs category 2 would cover most of the items you might check - but there again it is quite possible I'm being a complacent ostrich and should invite one of the local crew to give me the once over.

Is it primarily an equipment check?

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[TheBoatman]

Contact the RNLI at Poole and they will arrange for a local guy to contact you. As for the equipment list(s) they vary dependant on craft and use but you dont have to have all the kit anyway. The check is only there so that nosey buggers like me get to furtle around other peoples boats, drink your tea and talk about the sport we love. BTW there is no pass or failure, just a chat<s>

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[TheBoatman]

Behaviour is a bit of a strong word (sorry) What I meant was do you now do things as a matter of habit that you didn't before. I.e. Give safety briefings, check l/jackets more regularly etc.

As I have said it's not just about kit. If you have Cat 2 then youv'e probably got the lot. It's more about making you think about what to do in certain situations in advance.

Why not invite one of ours aboard for a chat and cuppa if nothing else it will wile away an hour<s>

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[Mirelle]

Seacheck done last year; a very pleasant experience.

1. My behaviour could usefully change a bit further! I am still taking needless risks. But to be honest I have benefitted more from sailing with a friend who is very methodical than I did from the Sea Check, in that respect. But certainly the Sea Check started me thinking more carefully about things.

2. A liferaft!

I have yet to buy the danbuoys, lights and lifebuoys that the Sea Check inspector pointed out I could carry (I had not seen how to carry them effectively; he pointed out how I can do so - wonderful what you don't see when you look at something every weekend!). This is because I have been hugely underwhelmed by the quality of these items when I have looked at them in chandlers' shops. This month's test of danbuoys in YW is hardly reassuring!

3. I once worked for a shipping law firm specialising in collisions and salvage.
Amazing how many Masters said to me "Thanks for all your help, you have been wonderful, and I hope I never see you again!" I feel rather like that about the Lifeboat!

But, seriously, Yes There Is Something, and my answer to Q2 shows what - it would be very interesting if the RNLI were to publish the results of its tests of yacht safety equipment. I don't know how practical this would be, but at the least it would be interesting to know what the RNLI buys itself.

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[BarryH]

This equipment list thing. I've heard conflicting stories as to what you should carry. I've been told that for my little 21 footer I've gone overboard (no pun intended) on what I heve on the boat. For example, 1 leccy bilge pump, 1 manual bilge pump, and ! hand bailer as use in sailing dinghies, plus a bucket.

What do you look for?

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[phanakapan]

Had one a week ago.
1- altered behaviour: not yet! but I am pretty conscientious about passage plans/crew briefings/liejacket wearing anyway. I do plan to do more MOB drills, and check the lifejackets more often.
2- purchases- I will probably be sorting out some form of MOB retrieval equipment,crotch straps for the lifejackets and getting a lot more engine spares etc, and overhauling our bilge pumps. I am going on a 10 week diesel engine course(2hours a week night school) because I didn't find the 1 day course very useful- well it was OK but I've forgotten it all! I think this is the single most useful thing I can do to make my sailing safer, because if my man is hors de combat for any reason I want to know how to do things myself
3- no, the Sea Check bloke was great: I especially liked the way he didn't talk down to me just because I'm a woman. I did think the most useful bit was the chat about stuff that came up that was not strictly 'safety', most of which I sort of knew already from courses/sailing mags/this forum- although having a SeaCheck is a very good way of reminding you
Keep up the good work!


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[TheBoatman]

Barry
If you want to carry bilge pumps that are capable of dumping 3 million litres of water / min I won't tell you that you are wrong (go for it) but I might tell you that it "might be a good investment to carry lifejackets" if you didn't have any. I hope you see my point. I might also point out that having your GPS aerial or dahn buoy sitting up 3 feet above the port pushpit rail may make the helicopter diver sing saprano for the rest of his life should he need to come aboard in an emergency. That if the lifeboat crew need to fire a heaving line, just what is involved, after all our boats normally carry 10 of these things (which shows what good shots we are) but if you could see what we are firing in your direction you would understand why we ask you to get below decks<s>.

To all forum members I say, IT'S NOT A TEST, YOU DON'T PASS OR FAIL, we only want to speak to you on a friendly level drink some tea and have a chat. We prefer that you invite us aboard your boat before we invite you aboard ours!

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[qsiv]

I may yet do so - but officially we're over the size limit. I know several local crewmembers, so there may be a way past the official limit.

As for checking lifejackets - thats a good one. I was intrigued to see that one manufacturer had made them 'checkable' without dismantling by putting a clear panel in. I either sail with the same crew, or at least people I know with lots of experience, so the briefing tends to be 'brief', and is often no more than saying where kit is stowed (or referring them to the Cat 2 safety stowage chart, which itself shows locations, and explaining that only one of the radio handsets is the master for GMDSS purposes and that Sat C is the ultimate 'fire and forget' system on board. I also say that the time to reef is the first time you consider it, and the time to call the skipper is the first time anyone says, or thinks, 'I wonder', 'Will we' or 'Do you think...'

One thing I do do on longer trips/races is to get everyone to tip their passport into the grab bag. From indirect expeience I know how tedious it can be to be in a foreign country without papers. I also leave a 'second' Visa card in the bag at all times, for much the same reason.

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[Samphire]

Re: Waste of Time

A waste of time and money! Why? Simple.The people that encourage/allow Sea Check advisors aboard are the very people that by and large dont need checking as they are already safety compliant or at least aware of the issues.
The people who aren't interested or hostile towards Sea Check are the very people who make up the rescue statistics. Its a problem as the scheme is well intentioned.
Samphire.

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[Boathook]

Had my 2nd seacheck done earlier this year (1st one a few years ago)

Has my behaviour changed - yes, a tiny bit as I think through some things a bit more

Purchase extra equipment - yes, mainly relating to man overboard and how to retrieve them.

Anything further to do - no.

Along with other comments the people who really need it will not bother for various reasons.
Personally though, I felt that it was 90 minutes well spent to get someone elses view of my boat and level of equipment on board and I will have another inspection in a couple of years time

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[BarryH]

It was just an example. Lifjackets ar compulsery on my boat, for swimmers and non swimmers. I basicaaly equiped the thing from the RYA guidelines. Also got off my backside and went to take PB cert and Dayskipper.

Do you do Seacheck inspections 'away' from the coast. The boat comes home with us, I got sick of it being broken into down in Poole. Just a thought.

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[duncan]

1.No
2. Yes
3.No
I found it good and usefull discussion. I was particularily impressed with the way it was able to handle 'in between' situations and discuss implications rather than, as an example, the delineation between coastal and offshore for flares.Oh and 10 uses for a black bin liner was excellent.
One point though - I was somewhat surprised that tide tables did not appear as a specific item for all craft in tidal waters at the time my last check was done; do you agree and does it now?

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[Shanty]

Contact the RNLI (0800 328 0600 - its free, like the SEA Check). It should be possible to arrange a check, either at your home, or at an agreed time in Poole.


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[Shanty]

Greetings fellow advisor. Wondered what prompted this until my copy of Rick's letter arrived this morning. Good idea to use this forum.


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[TheBoatman]

Barry
I'm "doing" a sports boat in a back garden next week, it won't be the first or last boat in a garden I suspect. There are a lot of trailer sailers/ fishing boats out there.

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[TheBoatman]

Dam,,,, been found out<s>

I thought that this would be a good place to get all types of answers/thoughts and it seems to be working. I only hope someone from the Kremlin is watching?

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