The RNLI, do you donate?

[Stemar]

Regardless of a charge or not, I wouldn't call them unless it was the last resort. However, isn't it the fact that people don't generally call the RNLI? As far as I'm aware, most RNLI activities are triggered by the Coastguard, sometimes against the wishes of the people involved.

I hope that I'd be able to judge whether or not I could get out of whatever difficulty I found myself in and call them in good time if I wasn't confident of sorting myself out. Situations have a habit of deteriorating very quickly and a tow-in of dubious necessity is far preferable to a search for bodies - especially if one of them is mine!

 

[NUTMEG]

,

So, only members of a political party have a right to criticise its policies, for example?

Everyone has a right to moan. That is what freedom of speech means. Once any organisation is protected, by force or custom or statute, from criticism, freedom is compromised and abuse can flourish - one only has to look at totalitarian governments, the catholic church etc. It is just possible that informed criticism of the RNLI from people such as leisure sailors, who know its real value, is one factor that keeps it as good as it undoubtedly is at the sharp end.

I did not express myself very well and apologise. However, a political party affects all of us, as does, to a lesser extent, the Catholic Church. How the RNLI spend contributions has no impact on those that do not contribute. The actions of a lifeboat speeding however in confined waters, is another matter.

So, my point is, if you do not contribute, you have no right to knock the RNLI imho.

 

[Seajet]

,

How the RNLI spend contributions has no impact on those that do not contribute. The actions of a lifeboat speeding however in confined waters, is another matter.
.

It most certainly does, as or not given millions where it decrees fit, having a huge effect on local economies way beyond local government in some respects.

How about ' RNLI ' grant to build a shed '

RNLI grant to repair a slip '

RNLI would like another bit on prime seashore land '

RNLI ...how many local protestors can stop it ?

' Oh it's for the lifeboat Managers with their luxury setup '

100% support for the crews and boat organisers - designers but there are too many hangers on by 1000%.

 

[NUTMEG]

Sorry Seajet, your argument does not convince me. Mine do not convince you. So let's agree to differ on this one.

Have a good day mate

Steve

 

[dogleg]

It most certainly does, as or not given millions where it decrees fit, having a huge effect on local economies way beyond local government in some respects.

How about ' RNLI ' grant to build a shed '

RNLI grant to repair a slip '

RNLI would like another bit on prime seashore land '

RNLI ...how many local protestors can stop it ?

' Oh it's for the lifeboat Managers with their luxury setup '

100% support for the crews and boat organisers - designers but there are too many hangers on by 1000%.

not sure what you are saying since it is your usual sweeping assertions: do you suggest that local government gives RNLI a grant or that the RNLI ignore or find a way round planning applications or that a few local people are stop from protesting? history of recent planning applications for new boathouses suggest otherwise. Perhaps you could expand on your ideas?

100% support for the crews and boat organisers this frequent comment from you and several on here is rather wearing thin

but there are too many hangers on by 1000% who are they ? what do they do?

How about some positive input? how much should the chief ex be paid? how would you organise fund raising? how would you raise and maintain the RNLI profile in an increasingly competitive market for that is what is? what would you do about publicity?


Have just returned from 2 months down under and still recovering from the effects of the sun, jet lag and much else but if I can summons the will I post a reply to many of the points made, having spent 30+ years at the sharp end.

 

[STATUE]

My understanding that if you are a charitable organisation you have to meet the following criteria:

20 % Can only be spent on Marketing
20% Can only be invested
60 % Spent on operational needs.

I think the RNLI are hard pressed to spend that 60 % and previous investment returns are exacerbating the issue.

However, a donations area secretary once said to me: "To go to sea and be frightened, is natural - to do it again is bravery !... and therefore they deserve the very best".

For the first time for years, I will re-commence my donations.

 

[haydude]

Guess there may have been recent topics on this, but keep seeing posts on facebook from the RNLI about vacancies for fundraisers. Wonder what people opinions are on donating to the RNLI. Think the part of the RNLI does a great job, but i wont dontate as feel they waste so much money. I went to Exmouth boat jumble a couple years back, and the new huge building to house the lifeboat has the inside of its roof lined with what looks like teak. Read the CEO earns a fortune, ( over £100,00 per annum) and not so long ago had his office decorated at a cost in excess of £26,000. Our local lifeguards are swaning around in new plush 4x4`s? Would be interested in opinions on this. Sure there are many more examples of them wasting donations? Interested in opinions on this

I have donated, however I tend to agree and thus I am not keen to do it again. When their managers will take wages more similar to our average then I might consider it again.

 

[chanelyacht]

It most certainly does, as or not given millions where it decrees fit, having a huge effect on local economies way beyond local government in some respects.

How about ' RNLI ' grant to build a shed '

RNLI grant to repair a slip '

RNLI would like another bit on prime seashore land '

RNLI ...how many local protestors can stop it ?

' Oh it's for the lifeboat Managers with their luxury setup '

Example?

 

[dogleg]

My understanding that if you are a charitable organisation you have to meet the following criteria:

20 % Can only be spent on Marketing
20% Can only be invested
60 % Spent on operational needs.

I think the RNLI are hard pressed to spend that 60 % and previous investment returns are exacerbating the issue.

However, a donations area secretary once said to me: "To go to sea and be frightened, is natural - to do it again is bravery !... and therefore they deserve the very best".

For the first time for years, I will re-commence my donations.

RNLI website home page states 83% is spent on lifesaving which will include new build, refit, maintenance of boathouses, training and equipment, the rest is reinvested for more funds which will I assume include PR etc

 

[dogleg]

I have donated, however I tend to agree and thus I am not keen to do it again. When their managers will take wages more similar to our average then I might consider it again.

chief ex earned £133k 2013 what do you think it should be and he is not contrary to some suggestions the highest paid charity boss neither is the RNLI the richest UK charity

 

[Seajet]

Sorry Seajet, your argument does not convince me. Mine do not convince you. So let's agree to differ on this one.

Have a good day mate

Steve

Well said Steve,

nice to see someone can discuss something without being offensive !

Have a good one,

Andy

 

[robertt]

I was a Shoreline member/supporter of the RNLI for years before I got my boat and since getting one have changed to Offshore Member. It is a charity that I feel is legitimately worthy of donations. This is because they depend on donations to provide the service, the crew members are mostly unpaid volunteers who put their own lives in danger for the sake of others in dire need, and they deserve to be supported with training and kit. Not sure of the accounting details or how the upper echelons work but without contributions the service would not exist.

 

[Sybarite]

What exactly is your point?

If you're saying that the RNLI spend more on their pension fund than on boats then I suggest you take a look at the accounts. £7.2m on pensions out of a total running costs of £144.6m and capital expenditure of £48m.

Cash flow statement:

Boats 2013 £11.6m (net of disposals £7.1m)
Boats 2012 £11.5m

nb I was only speaking about boats.

Operating surplus for the year

2013 £38.1m
2012 £25.8m

Pension deficit reduction payments (p42)

2013 £12.7m
2012 £12.7m

Present value of pension liabilities

2013 £287.2m
2012 £270.7m

2013 increase in PV of pension liabilities : £16.5m

 

[sailorman]

Cash flow statement:

Boats 2013 £11.6m (net of disposals £7.1m)
Boats 2012 £11.5m

nb I was only speaking about boats.

Operating surplus for the year

2013 £38.1m
2012 £25.8m

Pension deficit reduction payments (p42)

2013 £12.7m
2012 £12.7m

Present value of pension liabilities

2013 £287.2m
2012 £270.7m

2013 increase in PV of pension liabilities : £16.5m

How many employees are in this pension scheme


[lPresent value of pension liabilities

2013 £287.2m
2012 £270.7m

2013 increase in PV of pension liabilities : £16.5m]

 

[Sybarite]

How many employees are in this pension scheme


[lPresent value of pension liabilities

2013 £287.2m
2012 £270.7m

2013 increase in PV of pension liabilities : £16.5m]

Can't say. Presumeably all 1294 permanent FTE (full time equivalent) staff. With seasonal staff there are 1670 FTE.

Dependent relatives' liability is £5.8m out of total £287.2m

 

[NormanS]

Maybe it's time that the "Lifeboat" service, mainly manned by volunteers, was made a separate entity from the "Baywatch" beach rescue service, which appears to be a commercial undertaking? I feel an obligation to contribute to the Lifeboat service, but not so much to the beach rescue service, which seems to be supplied on a contract basis to Local Authorities.

 

[snowleopard]

If a contributor/regular donator then I agree. If one of those that do neither, then, really, I am not so sure, if you do not support an organisation in any way, then do you have a right to moan?

Yes, I'm an offshore member by DD. The only complaint I have personally had was that they didn't provide a box for donating the £1 deposit on their lifejacket lockers that are so handy in places like Fowey.

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

Offshore DD contributor. Contributor via giving Sailing Club Talks.

I do love the RNLI for what it stands for in one way..... free at the point of delivery.

Swimmers in Brighton - I've been a prat many a time in my life and if one of those occasions had put my life in jeopardy on the water, then I may have said 'thank goodness the RNLI were there to assist.'

What a great part of the World we live in. Free speech/democracy. So we love the Jumbleducks and Seajets of this parish. For without them others may not feel they had a useful contribution to make.

It's when people are offensive 'that gets my goat' so stay civil all


From the RNLI website.....
" Sustainable development

Being sustainable – ensuring the future of our lifesaving service

The RNLI is committed to saving lives on the water indefinitely, which means we need to make the best use of your donations and be as sustainable as we can in everything we do.

We recognise the need to manage our impact on the environment, on people and on the communities we serve and the effect of our economic choices, while maintaining and enhancing our operational effectiveness.

To this end, we’ve developed our Sustainability Plan to keep us on track for a sustainable lifesaving future.

Our Sustainability Plan - giving more back

We are working hard to fully integrate sustainable principles and ways of working into the RNLI, enabling us to continue to save lives indefinitely, while our sustainability vision is to create more value than we take.

Put simply, this means we’re focussing on giving more back to people, society and the environment than we take out, so that our impact not only reduces, but outweighs, any negatives to create long-term, lasting value.

By the sheer nature of what we do in preventing drowning and saving lives, we already have a really positive impact on many people and communities but it’s the way we do this that can make a real difference to our sustainability.

Therefore our sustainability mission is to reduce the negatives and optimise the positive, social, economic and environmental impacts of all RNLI activities. "


So, if you feel they are at fault in any way, write to them..... let them know they may have some failings
S.

 

[chanelyacht]

Maybe it's time that the "Lifeboat" service, mainly manned by volunteers, was made a separate entity from the "Baywatch" beach rescue service, which appears to be a commercial undertaking? I feel an obligation to contribute to the Lifeboat service, but not so much to the beach rescue service, which seems to be supplied on a contract basis to Local Authorities.

Beach lifeguards are (where contracted) part of the RNLI's commercial arm, so your donations to the charity do not go to support them.

 

[AndrewfromFal]

,

I did not express myself very well and apologise. However, a political party affects all of us, as does, to a lesser extent, the Catholic Church. How the RNLI spend contributions has no impact on those that do not contribute. The actions of a lifeboat speeding however in confined waters, is another matter.

So, my point is, if you do not contribute, you have no right to knock the RNLI imho.

That depends what you mean by 'Contribute'. The RNLI, as a charity, is exempt from paying tax....which arguably effects everyone who does.

Also would I be right in thinking the Charity Commission has expressed concern about the ratio of Capital/Funds under management it has vs it's spending? - IIRC Sybarite mentioned this in a previous thread