RNLI

[ QUOTE ]

Like I said, most of you lot are a bunch or paper and keyboard sailors, more adept at pontificating in these forums, and propping up the yacht club bar. How the hell any of you have got the gall to criticise the RNLI, in the way that you have is beyond me!............Mind you, it aint likely that you will ever need 'em, seeing as how most of you never seem to get out of the truckin' marinas that you all love so much.


[/ QUOTE ]

If you would take time to read the bio's of certain folk you would realise the experiance these people have. I for one spent 15 years with the RNLI laterly serving as the 2nd Coxswain on the Arran class lifeboat that was then stationed at Troon.

Howver despite that I have on numerous occasions have felt the need to complain to the RNLI about the dangerous way their boats have operated whilst passing close to other vessels.

I also quoted earlier an incident many years ago when a member of the public was knocked over and killed by a car driven by a crew member attending a shout.

It seems to me nowadays the experiance of some crews is very low and at these times the adrenalin rush tends to take over and bring down a misty haze giving blinkered vision.

As for being a keyboard sailor I still manage around 1000 miles singlehanded sailing per year and drive a fast ferry on a commercial basis.

I find your comments quite abusive on this forum and would not be suprised to find out that you hide behind one of those many doors providing jobs for the boys at that new palace at Poole!!

Paul.
 
Bring back the distress rocket or maroon that was launched when there was a shout. This let everyone RNLI and joe public know that something was going to happen. Joe public runs for cover, clear run for the RNLI, press run to the sea front for the best story. Everyone knew where they stood (or shouldn't stand).
 
[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for the long reply.

The comment about 1st class travel is interesting. Yes it is not important whether the top brass of a multi ££ organization like RNLI travel first class but a charity does need to watch its public face.

I once did some IT work for a charity that had just won a £50 million National Lottery award. I complained that my job was difficult because the Head Office was run on hand-me-down PCs but years later I can see the top man had put in place an ethos that said if the public give us money we’ll spend it on what they expect.

I spent a few years contracting at NatWest. Likewise NatWest has an historic culture against being seen to be flash, top managers came to work in budget M&S suits. The NatWest culture said "if we are going to ask people to deposit money with us, let’s not be seen to be revelling in that money".

The problem with the RNLI is that some think it is becoming a flash organization that plays Health & Safety politics with fallacious rescue statistics. This single issue is the root of any YBW RNLI complaints I make, I am quite capable of jumping out the way of an RNLI crew member on an adrenaline rush.

Also I am only mildly miffed that one day the RNLI nominated my yacht to play the role of Kaiserliche Marine on the afternoon that the Poole fleet emerged line astern to re-enact the Battle of Jutland. Next time could they cross the T somewhere else please.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ok Jonjo, you win, you did make I chuckle! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Next time stay out of the bloody way!

Some interesting points you raised, I will give them some thought, I do think though that as a multi million pound organisation, it is becoming a bit......shall we say PLC???
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

Like I said, most of you lot are a bunch or paper and keyboard sailors, more adept at pontificating in these forums, and propping up the yacht club bar. How the hell any of you have got the gall to criticise the RNLI, in the way that you have is beyond me!............Mind you, it aint likely that you will ever need 'em, seeing as how most of you never seem to get out of the truckin' marinas that you all love so much.


[/ QUOTE ]

If you would take time to read the bio's of certain folk you would realise the experiance these people have. I for one spent 15 years with the RNLI laterly serving as the 2nd Coxswain on the Arran class lifeboat that was then stationed at Troon.

Howver despite that I have on numerous occasions have felt the need to complain to the RNLI about the dangerous way their boats have operated whilst passing close to other vessels.

I also quoted earlier an incident many years ago when a member of the public was knocked over and killed by a car driven by a crew member attending a shout.

It seems to me nowadays the experiance of some crews is very low and at these times the adrenalin rush tends to take over and bring down a misty haze giving blinkered vision.

As for being a keyboard sailor I still manage around 1000 miles singlehanded sailing per year and drive a fast ferry on a commercial basis.

I find your comments quite abusive on this forum and would not be suprised to find out that you hide behind one of those many doors providing jobs for the boys at that new palace at Poole!!

Paul.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hi Paul, no sorry no palacial employment for me! I don't bother over much with bios, folks can put any old codswollop in there (and a lot do).

Sorry you found my comments abusive, they weren't you know, if I was being abusive, I would put dear old Cliff to shame! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

You are right about one thing though, there are some very experienced folk on here, but there are also a lot of fakers as well. generally, I don't bother meself too much with the wafflers and whingers, but I will fight anybody who wants to slag off the RNLI. I know full well that as an organisation, they are not perfect, and maybe the standards are less than they ought to be in some areas. The truth is though, every time they go on a shout, each and every one of us, should be very glad indeed that there are people that are willing and able to do it. I could go banging on about a proud history, tradition and all that, but I am pretty sure that I would be preaching to the converted in that respect, so I wont.
 
Smiffy,
I'm an RNLI volunteer attached to Operations but not crew, and if you are, then I'm ashamed at your responses ~ definitely not in the traditions of the Institution.

A member of the public has reported an incident that concerned him. He should report it to the Kremlin for further investigation as the reported incident is not one that I feel the Institution would wish to condone.

As for "keyboard" sailors ~ how do we know that you're not one, because your bio seems to be totally devoid of sea-going experience or anything else come to that!

Peter.
RNLI volunteer.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Trying to figure out what all you lot above are actually wanting, Yes, there is no excuse for behaving like a prat on the roads or anywhere else, where it is likely to cause a danger to someone..........however, I would suggest that if it was you that was clinging to the wreckage of your boat in freezing water, you would be wanting our assistance as quickly as possible??.....so what are you wanting?

[/ QUOTE ]

The crews are not racing for the sake of the victim, they are racing to get a place on the boat.

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
I have posted a letter to the RNLI, well an email actually. Asking if it is true should we be found to criticise anything the RNLI do, question or in anyway not worship the crew members as some kind of deity, on boating forums, will our names be circulated around the CG stations and boathouses so that we will be immune from any assistance in the future; as threatened by one of your representatives on the YBW forums on a public thread.

I will of course post any reply I receive.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Smiffy,
I'm an RNLI volunteer attached to Operations but not crew, and if you are, then I'm ashamed at your responses ~ definitely not in the traditions of the Institution.

A member of the public has reported an incident that concerned him. He should report it to the Kremlin for further investigation as the reported incident is not one that I feel the Institution would wish to condone.

As for "keyboard" sailors ~ how do we know that you're not one, because your bio seems to be totally devoid of sea-going experience or anything else come to that!

Peter.
RNLI volunteer.

[/ QUOTE ]

The member of the public as you call him that has posted his grievances on here, did so in the wrong place, as you say, he could have written a letter to RNLI at Poole, but he chose to air his grievance here on this forum.

I don't feel the need to "Fill in my Bio" as some on here are want to do, and complain about others who don't. Ashamed?? Don't be so perishing pompous! I have used no bad language in any of my responses, and furthermore, I have named no-one in particular either. Keyboard sailor? Yep, I would confess to being more of that of late than I used to be, mostly due to health problems, but I am getting over that, and hope soon to be back up and running.........

Ya know, it's always the same on here somebody gobs off, and then when somebody says Whoa!! I aint putting up with that, and then give back a bit of straight talking, you (collective you), don't like it.

Well tough! That's life...........It's not my fault if some of you are big girls blouses!
 
[ QUOTE ]
I have posted a letter to the RNLI, well an email actually. Asking if it is true should we be found to criticise anything the RNLI do, question or in anyway not worship the crew members as some kind of deity, on boating forums, will our names be circulated around the CG stations and boathouses so that we will be immune from any assistance in the future; as threatened by one of your representatives on the YBW forums on a public thread.

I will of course post any reply I receive.

[/ QUOTE ]

To Mr. Dogwatch, I never said that it was RNLI policy to post names around CG and lifeboat stations, I said.....

"I'll tell ya what though, if any of you feel that you can well do without the services of the RNLI, and it's Pratish Crews, just PM me your name and your boats name, I will make sure that it is circulated around all CG and Lifeboat Stations"

As you can see above I said that I would be happy to do it! Of course, they wouldn't take a blind bit of notice, even if they felt that they might want to, they would rescue any mariner in trouble regardless of what they might think of them.

It's a pity that the only kind of response that you seem capable of is to try to score points off people instead of making a meaningful contribution to the discussion / argument in hand, but then I have seen you do this many times before.

Psssssst! (looks about furtively)......Is there some kind of private little club in here, seems that not all get whinged at for not filling in their bios, do they Mr. Dogwatch? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
As the "member of the public" in question I can claim more than 40 years sailing, mostly privately but some professionally and most of my working life dealing with the marine industry. Not sure if that makes me an armchair sailor or not!
Anyway, perhaps I didn't make it clear when starting this off that the truck in question was towing an empty trailer and was on its way to the boat show not a call out.
I also said I have huge respect for the RNLI at sea and in general for how they manage their organisation but I don't think it gives them the right to operate double standards, and particularly not to the extent this particular driver was doing.
I didn't report it to Poole because I don't, and didn't, feel strongly enough about it.
I was surprised, however, at the strength of some of the comments for and against the RNLI.
 
As a new recruit to IBM 35 years ago I was shown a film called 'Who killed the sale?' and its message has stayed with me ever since. It showed a potential customer turning down a sale as a result of being badly treated by staff unrelated to the sales department and the final straw was rude behaviour by a driver in a truck with the company's name on it.

No one on here would criticise the skill and dedication of the RNLI in carrying out rescues but bad feeling caused by behaviour of staff in other situations can detract from an otherwise well respected organisation and maybe result in fewer donations or less public support in e.g. planning enquiries.

I might also add that when reasoned criticism draws abusive responses from those representing or supporting the organisation the all-important public image also suffers.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I will fight anybody who wants to slag off the RNLI. I know full well that as an organisation, they are not perfect, and maybe the standards are less than they ought to be in some areas.

[/ QUOTE ]

This thread certainly went ballistic since I last checked in. What you are saying is - the RNLI is not perfect but no-one is allowed so say so, and you will fight anyone who does. Perhaps you should propose a new motto:



Is that what I am saying? Oh well thanks for letting me know! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
They were your words:

- they are not perfect
- maybe the standards are less than they ought to be in some areas
- I will fight anybody who wants to slag off the RNLI

If you think my summary didn't capture your meaning accurately, please clarify.

I think the general sentiment on this thread, with the notable exception of you, is that the RNLI (and its volunteers/employees) is neither perfect nor above criticism, even if it is in many respects an extremely admirable institution.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Ashamed?? Don't be so perishing pompous!

[/ QUOTE ]

I am ashamed not because you have sworn but by your written responses to various posters and that those responses (IMHO) run against the general ethos of the service and its long traditions.

Instead of offering useful advice you decided to (to use a footballing parlance) go in with a two footed tackle and berate everyone in sight.

That IMHO is not what the RNLI would expect of you.

Peter.
 
Jonjo
Could I suggest that people in glass houses etc etc.

Singlehanding over those distances - I presume you are sailing - is putting others and yourself into danger. I think you are bordering on being highly irresponsible.

I'm not condoning the actions of the crew member in Fowey but you seem to have double standards towards safety on the road and safety on the sea.

If I were you I would be very careful about crticising the RNLI if this is the way you sail since you are highly likely to need their help. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Singlehanding over those distances - I presume you are sailing - is putting others and yourself into danger. I think you are bordering on being highly irresponsible.

[/ QUOTE ]

In YOUR opinion ...

[ QUOTE ]
If I were you I would be very careful about crticising the RNLI if this is the way you sail since you are highly likely to need their help.

[/ QUOTE ]
There are clear LAWS about speeding on the roads ... there are no such laws on singlehanding your sailing vessel on the sea. Also this is a veiled threat suggesting that Jonjo may not receive assistance from the RNLI due to the fact that he critisised the driver of an RNLI vehicle breaking the law. Please can you clarifiy if indeed this has any substance and that the RNLI actively discriminate against casualties that have leveled critisism against their staff/volunteers, and if there are any levels of critisism that are acceptable over what time frame.

If you want to critisise someone for singlehanding can you produce some stats that clearly shows that singlehanding is more dangerous .... most of the prominent accidents/rescues recently have been for boats with more than 1 crew member on board...

Personally I think you're talking out of your arse.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Jonjo
Could I suggest that people in glass houses etc etc.

Singlehanding over those distances - I presume you are sailing - is putting others and yourself into danger. I think you are bordering on being highly irresponsible.

I'm not condoning the actions of the crew member in Fowey but you seem to have double standards towards safety on the road and safety on the sea.

If I were you I would be very careful about crticising the RNLI if this is the way you sail since you are highly likely to need their help. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

What a plonker that statement makes you out to be.........I personally spend most of my sailing time offshore single-handed. I would suggest it makes a far better sailor of you than dawdling around the creeks with a full crew....I guess you reckon then that the likes of Knox Johnson, Ellen Mac, and all those great French singlehanders that are too numerous to mention are a hazard.......I suggest you wake up to the real world.....I gave a great deal of my life to the RNLI but now find peace with heading off to sea alone....alway from all the idiots like yourself that offer statements as such.....I guess you are the sort of person I used to tow back home on a weekly basis as when you ran out fuel the thought of entering a harbour under sail was too much hassle......get alife and grow up!!!!!!!

Paul.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top