RNLI Sea Check

[smurfer]

I happened to be working on the boat yesterday and was asked by a local if I wanted a Sea Check, said yes and half an hour later a nice chap from the RNLI came over and spent nearly an hour going over the boat and equipment, what impressed me was his knowledge and manner, I picked up some very useful tips, so if you get the opportunity do try it.

 

[JonBrooks]

IMHO a great service and a really nice bunch of people.
I have had the pleasure of working with and meeting a good number of them.

Big shame, I have heard a rumour that someone on high wants to cut them back.

Whilst we all know the fine work of the boys and the girls in the boats, the Sea Check Team are really a major part of the RNLI's public face.

Someone must be a tad barking to cut this service back, again IMHO.

Regards

 

[D3B]

Fully support your comment.

recently emplyed RYA/RNLI chap to pilot me through the Trent. when we stopped for lunch he did full Offshore Sea check on my new boat, which showed i pretty much had everythning done.. just a few bits i knew to get done.

and its FREE!!! to RNLI members of course /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

recommend it to everyone.
you can phone them and arrange them to visit as well.

Doug

 

[Andrew38]

I agree with everyone else. Had my boat checked, got pretty much clean bill of health but I definitely learnt from it. Unfortunately my tester told me that whilst they are happy that our boats are OK it's the people who would never think they had anything to learn who they are NOT getting to. The one's who don't already have the key safety items on board!

 

[Nautical]

Ab Fab guys and dolls, don't think they are cutting back. Just been on a tour of Poole HQ and Seacheck was quite a big issue with them and felt is was something they could expand on. Figures show that where there are Sea Check people around and offering advise there is a direct correleation with a drop in Lifeboat call outs.

Big problem is the more 'mature' mobo people who have been around feel it does'nt apply to them and its only for newbies, again statistics show that there is only a small difference between call outs to 'old hands' and Newbies.

Case in point, I've been around for a while and I never bothered to know the difference between certain bouyancy aids and full self righting lifejackets, some look very similar and its hard to know without the original packaging and how to choose the right one for your intended use especially kids jackets, which work and which are next to useless and some downright dangerous.

During my check, found that the gas bottle on one of my jackets was actually empty even though they were alll checked three months ago. Big doo doo if you actually needed it in a hurry.

 

[JonBrooks]

Rumour has it (very reliable source) that the RNLI Chief Exec want to cut them back, slash their budget leaving them unable to provide the service they are at the moment.

Never wanting to knock the RNLI because they do a fantastic job but is this the right move?

Is this another case of a pen pusher/bean counter not really understanding the great service the Sea Check team offer?
Not knowing his/her background I can't fully comment

Regards

 

[Bluebird]

Jon's right. I also have it from a very good source that they decided to cut the budget for sea safety prevention severely.

It's a great shame since it's an excellent service. I learnt loads when their volunteer safety chap came aboard my boat. It was free and I wasn't even a member! I am now.

Perhaps somebody could sponsor them - any generous benefactors out there?

If you haven't had a SEA Check yet then I would get one booked asap.

Bluebird

 

[PaulGlatzel]

"and its FREE!!! to RNLI members of course"

Just to clarify the Sea Checks we do are free to everyone and you certainly don't need to be an RNLI member to have one. As someone mentioned above the more people that can be recommended to do these the better

Paul