Capt Popeye
Well-Known Member
Err, suggest that its ...the Odd Time we live in
The RNLI, do you donate?
- Thread starter elioti
- Start date
Err, suggest that its ...the Odd Time we live in
JumbleDuck
Well-Known Member
I suspect that all those involved in emergency care - lifeboat crews, mountain rescue teams, A&E staff - will feel distinctly more p*ssed off with some clients than with others, though I am sure it doesn't alter the effort they put in.
Stemar
Well-Known Member
My experience working (in an office, but with plenty of contact with front line staff) for the LAS indicates that you're right on both counts.
I'm quite sure A&E staff are also far too professional to use bigger needles for piss-takers than for the genuinely ill/injured, but I'd like to think that, just once in a while...
KellysEye
Well-Known Member
No. One day were on our way to Burnham on Crouch and decided to put into Eastbourne getting close we couldn't start the engine, I called the marina and asked if they could pick us up at the narrow entrance to the canal that leads to the lagoon where lock is, it was upwind. They said yes. Ten minutes later the Lifeboat called and said they would pick us up, I asked afterwards why they did that and the skipper said they all assemble on a Friday afternoon and they wanted the practice. Next week we and our boat were named in the local newspaper as having been rescued. We were seriously annoyed. I do wonder how many ''rescues'' are frigged.
dslittle
Well-Known Member
I do.
And currently work voluntarily.
And currently work voluntarily.
Sybarite
Well-Known Member
Or that the contributions to the pensions fund exceeds the amount spent on boats?
Uricanejack
Well-Known Member
I always used to put spare change in the lifeboats when in the pub.
I expect most pubs still have them.
Once when a Collage student a group of us went carol singing to raise money for the RNLI. So far the only time I have ever been carol signing
I expect most pubs still have them.
Once when a Collage student a group of us went carol singing to raise money for the RNLI. So far the only time I have ever been carol signing
longjohnsilver
Well-Known Member
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.
Fantasie 19
Well-Known Member
...and probably a legal requirement these days given the pensions fiasco's elsewhere in the past..??
snowleopard
Well-Known Member
This comes up from time to time - is it legitimate to criticise the RNLI?
For example there was an instance a few years ago when someone was injured by the wash of a lifeboat leaving harbour at full throttle. In the thread in here at the time there were those who took the view that lifeboatmen could do no wrong and complaints were not tolerated. Yes, the volunteer crews are to be admired but when they get it wrong we have a right to call them on it.
For example there was an instance a few years ago when someone was injured by the wash of a lifeboat leaving harbour at full throttle. In the thread in here at the time there were those who took the view that lifeboatmen could do no wrong and complaints were not tolerated. Yes, the volunteer crews are to be admired but when they get it wrong we have a right to call them on it.
NUTMEG
Well-Known Member
L
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?
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?
l'escargot
Well-Known Member
They provide their service to people whether they contribute or not. People should be free to comment on them whether they contribute or not.
Grumpybear
Well-Known Member
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.
Capt Popeye
Well-Known Member
Can not agree with thee, kind Sir /Madam .
If the Lifeboats were being used in manner likely to cause injury or damage the everyone should have the right or even obligation to raise the issue and complain, indeed complain on here, to the Harbour or Ports Authority, local press and boating press, even to the RNLI HQ in as strong a terms as think fit.
Possibly any such complaints directed forcefully in the right direction are what is actually required for the safety of all water users.
Similarly though any compliments thought to be necessary take similar actions.
Capt Popeye
Well-Known Member
Ah this is a practice, of listing any action taken by the Lifeboats crews, as a 'rescue' or 'aided a vessel in distress' or rescued a person that would appear to be quite common in RNLI activities.
Perhaps it has to be recorded as such for Insurance, Liability or other reasons ?
pvb
Well-Known Member
No, only for publicity reasons. The RNLI is a business, a big business, and it needs to be able to boast about how many "rescues" it carries out to help keep the money flooding in.
Grumpybear
Well-Known Member
Rather, it thinks it needs to be able to boast... The public are actually more intelligent than most charity managers give them credit for.
pvb
Well-Known Member
If the public were that intelligent, surely they'd be asking why the RNLI doesn't charge for its free tow-in service?
Ripster
Well-Known Member
I think you'll find it's because the public are bright that they do understand exactly why. As soon as the RNLI start charging (as a matter of course) for anything (even if its a tow in!) this opens the risk of people in true danger (they may not realise how much at the time) not calling the service (until the last minute perhaps) for fear of being charged and that would surely act against its core principles wouldn't it?
pvb
Well-Known Member
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.