Solent today?

[chanelyacht]

OK, Solent isn't my MRCC (although I know the patch well) so I can't comment on the specific incident, but a couple of points :
When a lifeboat goes out to a job like this, it isn't simply because the MRCC has tasked it - it's also because the lifeboat DLA (whether RNLI or indie) has agreed to the launch. In all cases they have final say - and for tow jobs, it is not uncommon for other avenues to be explored first. Lifeboat DLAs can, and do, decline taskings in such circumstances.

The "charging for rescue" scenario - whether direct, or salvage, or whatever - is our nightmare scenario. What happens if the casualty will not / cannot pay - do we leave to drown? The prospect of a bill will leave people to call for help at the last possible moment - by which time it may well be too late to task assets for a beneficial outcome.

 

[Ubergeekian]

When a lifeboat goes out to a job like this, it isn't simply because the MRCC has tasked it - it's also because the lifeboat DLA (whether RNLI or indie) has agreed to the launch. In all cases they have final say - and for tow jobs, it is not uncommon for other avenues to be explored first. Lifeboat DLAs can, and do, decline taskings in such circumstances.

Thanks. How about the "My engine has stopped and I need to get back and it's a flat calm and I'm in no danger" call - does that ever get a "Wait for the wind" response? I realise that that would probably be at the coastguard stage.

The "charging for rescue" scenario - whether direct, or salvage, or whatever - is our nightmare scenario. What happens if the casualty will not / cannot pay - do we leave to drown? The prospect of a bill will leave people to call for help at the last possible moment - by which time it may well be too late to task assets for a beneficial outcome.

As I understand it, mountain rescue in Switzerland (and France) costs you, sometimes Very Large Amounts indeed. Do they have a higher death rate as a result of people being reluctant to call? Comercial shipping pays for tows, doesn't it, though as I recall the Penlee tragedy started with a shipping line which refused to pay for a tow ...

Please don't get me wrong. I'm not criticising the RNLI, which I think is a superb organisation run by remarkable people. I'm criticising leisure boaters who, I think, are abusing the kindness of lifeboat crews far too often.

 

[chanelyacht]

In a gear / engine failure call, my first question will always be "are you able to anchor?". The answer to that will greatly influence both the level of response, and the speed of response. I would also tend to treat very differently a vessel aground due to a single handed, very fatigued sailor making an error to one with four crew on board happy to sit things out.

Many a time I've broadcast an "any vessels" call and been able to link a broken down vessel with a nearby one, and the two parties have sorted out a tow between themselves. Equally, a good few groundings have been left to get on with things on their own after talking to them, and have refloated happily with no damage.

You're right with the Penlee incident, and this has now been addressed by the fact that we can call on the CG tugs to intervene, and with the agreement of the Secretary of State's Representative we can order vessels to accept a tow. This is much more a merchant shipping situation though.

Don't know about the European mountain rescue stats - my guess is that it would be very hard to obtain a non-pay-for-rescue baseline to compare against.

 

[pikeyrm]

well if you call for an Ambulance and it was not required, you have to pay for there services, maybe something like this could be put in place.

 

[chanelyacht]

well if you call for an Ambulance and it was not required, you have to pay for there services, maybe something like this could be put in place.

er....where? Not in the UK....

 

[Ubergeekian]

In a gear / engine failure call...

Thank you again - much appreciated

Don't know about the European mountain rescue stats - my guess is that it would be very hard to obtain a non-pay-for-rescue baseline to compare against.

I have a vague memory - but no more, and I am not a mountaineer - that comparisons have been done between accidents rates in the Austrian, French and Italian Alps. I must ask my climbing friends about that.

 

[fireball]

Perhaps you need to come down to the solent where we have loads of incidents throughout the season ... the CG keep the caller on the line and get more information - and quite often ask if they can anchor. Also, the number of times there is a call to 'Any Vessel in the vicinity of X able to give a tow' is quite large... The CG are trying to reserve the RNLI for more important taskings ....

 

[pikeyrm]

er....where? Not in the UK....

Yes in Englannd