Seacheck - RNLI - liferaft or Dinghy

[rog]

This month's MBY advises that RNLI safety equipment guidelines are that for either innshore or offshore use:-
"liferaft" - not essential and not recommended
"liferaft/inflatable dinghy" - essential
Offshore being defined as passages between 50 and 500 miles, not more than 50 miles from the coast.

Views and advice please - especially as I was just about to buy a liferaft but do not envisage ever being more than 50 miles offshore.

I had thought that a liferaft would be essential to safety for any offshore use, with a dinghy quite unsuitable for use at sea - but I've never actually tried it!

 

[KevL]

IMHO - AFA safety goes, if you think you need one then you probably do, it never hurts to have a bit of a safety margin. I don't carry a life raft due to space restrictions but then I never go much more than 10 miles out, just rely on the inflateable, pre inflated of course. With a Fareline 40 you don't have the same space problems as me, I'd say go for it.

Why is it not recommended anyway? I can't imagine why someone like the RNLI recommend you don't carry one.



--
Tides - Never there when you need one.
Wind - Always there when you don't.

KevL

 

[Guest]

As most problems resulting in the need to get off the boat are brought about by heavy seas, I know what
I would rather be in on such an occasion and thats a life raft.. Imagine how long a rib would stay
right side up in 4-5 foot cresting waves for instance.


cneighbour

 

[rog]

Re:|Why is it not recommended?

Kev - thst's my point -
I'm sure it should be
So what's that say about RNLI & MBY??

 

[KevL]

Re:|Why is it not recommended?

Errr ? Maybe they....? errm.. can I have an easier question please 80)


--
Tides - Never there when you need one.
Wind - Always there when you don't.

KevL

 

[rog]

Re:|Why is it not recommended?

Obviously you're a politician/diplomat?

 

[KevL]

Re:|Why is it not recommended?

Thats a very good question and a question which deserves an answer - but before I answer that question I'd just like to point out that a question of this sort asked by a valued member of the voting public is exactly the reason that us politicians are here. If it wasn't for the good working people of this fair land where would we all be. Thank you - any more questions.


--
Tides - Never there when you need one.
Wind - Always there when you don't.

KevL

 

[ccscott49]

I can understand the "not essential" but "not reccomended" is horseshit! I would rather have a piece of equipment designed to save my life in bad weather, than a piece of equipment used for shipping dogs, kids, people and stores backwards and fowards in a calm sea to a boat anchored/moored in calm waters! IMHO the RNLI are wrong in saying "not reccomended" I have one. Go ahead and get yours if you have room for it why not?

 

[Scubadoo]

Basically sod the guidelines, if I had room on my boat (25ft) than I would have a liferaft. For me I make do with a dinghy, but that's becuase of space.

So carry on and buy one, 50, 40, 30 miles is still far enough to drown or be unsafe in a dinghy in F3 and above.

RM.

 

[HMCG]

As a Coastguard Officer I have to say that if you can get a liferaft (with canopy and drogue if possible) on your yacht then you should have one. A dinghy is not a suitable substitute for a proper liferaft with the associated lifesaver pack on board with flares, rations etc. Even at 50 miles offshore it may be sometime before anyone knows you are in difficulty especially if all you have are flares and a hand held VHF (at 50nm out of range of shore station). You are more likely to be still in a liferaft when found than you are in a dinghy. I could go on all day about safety equipment like EPIRB's, SART's etc but that is another topic.

Regards




A VHF can save your life.

 

[hlb]

Gad! We're getting posh on here. Got a real coast guard now. What next. Volvo MD perhaps?? Bobbies boss!! Wont be anything to discuse anymore cos we've got an expert to answer everything. (Kicking bucket). <G>

No one can force me to come here-----------
----- I'm a Volunteer!!!

Haydn

 

[ccscott49]

Coastguard never agrees with the RNLI anyway, but I agree with HMCG here! As I've already said.