So, what is wrong with the RNLI?

[oldfatgit]

Really?
My work promotes continuous improvement by suggestion. There is no need for a complaint.
I have read similar comments elsewhere from management geeks and bean-counters like you can't improve what you can't measure.

Also untrue.

Actually I'd agree. When is a complaint not a complaint? When it is a suggestion. As for the measuring thing, I really do agree with that one. Anyway, people must be prepared to talk to the RNLI when they feel aggrieved or can really help them improve. Nine times out of ten that will be via their complaints procedure.

 

[Ubergeekian]

Interesting, the fact that you can sail so far from assistance is remarkable. Now, I am not considering the long distance passages across the North Sea or Atlantic, which are obviously outsdie of what we are talking about, but rather sailing the British and Irish Coastal waters. But, if that is the case then I feel that there is a case for trying to influence the RNLI to establish some full time lifeboat stations based on the Spurn Head model. Particularly if there is demand for those gaps to be filled. I'm not a local but if I were then I'd be enquiring if that was possible.

I've seen it claimed that there are more yachts based on the Hamble River than in Scotland. There's hardly anyone up here and the sea areas / coastal lengths concerned are vast.

Anyway, I'm off for a couple of weeks sailing, sadly not the West Coast of Scotland, and so would like to depart with the following questions. Do you not see any merits in the RNLI? Is there nothing which you consider could be made into the kind of service you would wish to see and support?

Oh good heavens, lots. It's only the nagging and hectoring I find objectionable - I have the utmost regard for lifeboat crews.

Here, by the way, is a wee snippet I saw in Private Eye this evening, apropos the decision by the MS society to close respite care homes:

The society isn't the first charity to want to move away from providing practical services into trendier campaigning.

There seems to be no sign of a cut back in RNLI services, but the trendy campaigning certainly seems to be there. As I wrote before, I think that may well be a Labour legacy - they loved nagging and so they loved people who nagged.

 

[oldfatgit]

I've seen it claimed that there are more yachts based on the Hamble River than in Scotland. There's hardly anyone up here and the sea areas / coastal lengths concerned are vast.

Right, we are going north, damm the rain and to hell with the midges. Can I tie up at Islay and fill the boat with Laphoraig?

 

[Ubergeekian]

Right, we are going north, damm the rain and to hell with the midges. Can I tie up at Islay and fill the boat with Laphoraig?

Sure. They'll pipe it right into your tanks. Just remember to declare how much is for domestic use and how much for propulsion.