RNLI Sea Safety check

[iangrant]

What an interesting and informative meeting on board with a polite and like minded individual.

A couple of ideas I'd not thought of. Two hours well spent. Thank you RNLI.

Ian

 

[tome]

Excellent - I've booked mine for this Friday morning

Tom

 

[Mirelle]

I agree with Ian, although I have a rather nonstandard boat, the RNLI examiner was very sensible, and made a very good suggestion - which I have acted on - concerning the stowage of dan buoys and lifebuoys. He did comment that mine was one of the few boats he had seen with the softwood plugs hung off the seacocks to which they relate - apparently most people keep them in a locker somewhere!

 

[tome]

I've talked to the Seacheck bloke a few times - he was going to visit my previous boat but I put him off when we bought the new one. I was tempted to rush around doing all the outstanding safety items (including hanging the software plugs) before he came, but I've decided to leave things as they are warts and all and to put together a remedial plan with his help.

I've also invited one of my regular crew to be there as he's doing YM with a view to buying his own boat one day and sailing with his wife.

Looking forward to this - I'm sure it will be a positive experience.

 

[Cornishman]

It's good to read that we are doing a good job in your part of the world. I was trained as a SEACheck Adviser earlier this year, and I liked the motto "Invite us aboard your boat before we have to invite you aboard ours!"
We were told that the cost of launching one full sized lifeboat is about £3,500 and an ILB is about £1,500, so if we can help to avoid one "shout" so much the better.

 

[Cutter]

A positive set of postings - what is the forum coming to?! -
Where does one book these checks - with an individual RNLI station or centrally?
Thanks

 

[Cutter]

A positive set of posts - is this a record?!
Where does one find out more - at a local RNLI station or centrally?
Thanks

 

[Trevethan]

Had teh Seacheck fellow around about 3 weeks ago, even though the boat is far from ready. funnily enough he found little wrong with her! Just things like flares, which I will only buy when ready to sail and safety lines/harness. I was quite surprised.

He did make a few very good suggestions on the practicality of various bits of the interior design from a safety perspective - things like fitting emergency washboards in case the pilot house suffers heavy damage etc.

All in all very helpful, knowledgable and friendly. Well worth my time, and the £20 I dropped in the collection box when I arranged it. Before I get jumped on - they don't ask expect or otherwise demand a donation, but I figure its only fair to give them a few pounds now and then, especially when they provide a service like this, in addition to the rescue work.

rgds,

Nick

 

[iangrant]

I booked mine on their web site:
http://www.rnli.org.uk/seacheck.asp

 

[Endymion]

Well worthwhile!!

We had a Sea Check carried out early August, a very pleasant and informative couple of hours. Not rocket science by a long chalk, just good practical advice and several ideas for improvement over the winter months.

Endy

 

[Caronia]

Re: Well worthwhile!!

Her Afloat recently attended a focus meeting held for the RNLI to see how best they could tempt boatowners to take them up on this service as few seem to taken up the offer. I thought the slogan

"Oi ... Cheapskates, get a free safety survey that would cost you approx. £150 if you got a surveyor to do it"

might do it

 

[iangrant]

Re: Well worthwhile!!

Interestingly enough, I asked the Sea Check Advisor what kind of people requested a check. He replied safety Conscious responsible owners, very much with up together boats. Fair enough answer I guess - It makes you wonder about the rest? How many have been checked against how many have not




Ian

 

[Mirelle]

The more of us that do it....

the more the people who"don't fancy having their boat looked at" will feel moral pressure to have a check done.

I could not work out what the sticker was for, but now I understand it - it is simple advertising.

The RNLI are to be congratulated on the best innovation in boating in many years.

The Advisor who checked my boat said that the RNLI had withdrawn the Gold and Silver awards because - wait for this - people had been BORROWING safety equipment FOR THE SURVEY just to score a higher pass mark! How daft can some people get?

 

[ianwright]

Re: The more of us that do it....

Ah,,,,, yes ,,,,,,, well, I gave back the hand held VHF I borrowed and bought a new one,,,,,,,,,
How did you find out?

IanW

Vertue 203, Patience

 

[Mirelle]

Moral pressure....

....Ian, remember my very new deviation card, prepared by that nice man from Seath Instruments in Lowestoft!

I had been messing about for years with more deviation than I am going to admit to here - it was the decision to have a Sea Check that led to my inviting the Compass Adjuster aboard and motoring round and round the mooring for two hours, and laying out Pds 165.00!

The peace of mind that comes with knowing that the binnacle compass is no longer telling fibs is quite enough repayment for the expense!

I have not got any kind of hand held VHF - on the wish list, but I'm skint now!

 

[Twister_Ken]

Re: The more of us that do it....

How daft can some people get?

Well., I've lent lots of books that I've never seen again, so I guess pretty daft!"

 

[Guest]

Re: Moral pressure....

Mirelle, I'm glad to see you had the check done and you enjoyed the experience. Now all you need to do is tell everyone(Boatowner) you meet to have one done too!

 

[Guest]

Ring the Kremlin in Poole and ask for the Seacheck desk<s>
They will be more than happy to arrange a visit to suit you.

 

[Endymion]

That of course...

...is what everyone who has had a SeaCheck done should do, the million dollar question is will they? For my part I have told 6 people about it, and 2 have since had inspections.

The main objection/hang-up that I think the RNLI have got to get over with the majority of the boat owners, is that it is not a pass/fail scenario, it is just a friendly chat with a few recomendations made for the owner to follow up if he wishes.

My SeaCheck finished with the offer to have a further inspection made next season
and yes, I will take it up.

Endy

 

[tome]

Just been checked this morning.

Good result I suppose - 'Gold' award and told me it was the best equipped boat he'd seen. Flattering, but I didn't feel it was quite comprehensive enough. I know there's still some work I need to do to be happy in my own mind.

Didn't cover some of the basics on a sailing boat (eg rig cutters & bread knives) and no mention of storm sails even though RNLI stats show that 17% call outs are adverse weather.

I suspect that what will happen is the already safety conscious (include myself in this category) will take up the offer to have a second opinion, but the 'cut-the-corner' brigade won't bother even though they will probably have the most to gain.

Hat's off to the RNLI - it's a free service and well supported by trained volunteers. It's also a proactive attempt to reduce the number of unnecessary call outs. How to get to those in most need of the service? Wouldn't want to see legislation - any suggestions?

Tom