Should lifeboatmen be paid?
Discussion
cornishgirl said:
That's absolutely right, no-one ever did it for the money.
My dad was a lifeboat crewman as was my grandad, and my great gradandad was skipper for 17 years.
They are my true heroes. Providing the crews with the very best boats and equipment that money can buy is by far and away thebest way of supporting these fantastic guys.
Very same story on my wifes side of family, they were based at Flamborough Head. When courting my wife to be we stayed up there visiting when the maroon went off. Every able body would make thier way from the village up the North landing way to the lifeboat station. The crew would run the boat down the ramp and if tide was out it was all hands to pushing the thing over sleepers to get the boat it to water. How those crew members would go out in all weather into a black North sea was and still is beyond my imagination. Steel of mind, body and soul each and every one of them.My dad was a lifeboat crewman as was my grandad, and my great gradandad was skipper for 17 years.
They are my true heroes. Providing the crews with the very best boats and equipment that money can buy is by far and away thebest way of supporting these fantastic guys.
crankedup said:
How those crew members would go out in all weather into a black North sea was and still is beyond my imagination. Steel of mind, body and soul each and every one of them.
Absolutely. Salt of the Earth every one of them. I can think of nothing worse than going into a storm in the pitch black, frezing cold of midwinter, in a small vessel looking up at the top of crashing waves.AMG Merc said:
Absolutely. Salt of the Earth every one of them.
Not all. My sister in law volunteers for thrills getting free power boat training and going out in said power boats.I'd like to think the RNLI don't let just anyone do it but she would need to be a completely different person to the one I see when she is on duty to be any use at all.
Not in a negative way but I think a big part of the attraction for many volunteers is the thrill and getting to mess about in boats for free.
The other 3 emergency services are all paid for, and look at the state of them. Never a policeman around when you need one, ambulances take hours rather than minutes to turn up to emergencies, and fireman have been known to strike because they are unhappy with proposed changes to their working conditions.
Some of the above may be slight exaggeration, but I am sure you get the point. I've never heard of any such problem with the fantastic people that make the RNLI possible, and may it long remain that way.
Some of the above may be slight exaggeration, but I am sure you get the point. I've never heard of any such problem with the fantastic people that make the RNLI possible, and may it long remain that way.
Edited by DIW35 on Wednesday 18th January 16:45
A few years back I was at an event in Hastings by the lifeboat hut and the siren went off. Never seen anything like it before. Some bloke tore up on a sports bike still in his butcher's apron, another in a builder's flat bed....some bloke in a suit....I didn't time it but cannot have been more then 5 minutes before the boat was at sea. Quite remarkable.
If you want a sobering moment, take a look at who volunteered to crew the new Penlee boat after the Solomon Browne, I have had the privilege to work with the RNLI, the crews are all mad, (in a good way) the weather they go out in and how thoughtless to their own position is amazes me still.
No to payment if it changes anything, and I didn't know about the VAT issue which was raised by a previous poster, I recall that the RNLI also worked in Ireland without a name change because of the high regard in which it is held.
No to payment if it changes anything, and I didn't know about the VAT issue which was raised by a previous poster, I recall that the RNLI also worked in Ireland without a name change because of the high regard in which it is held.
Quite a bit of confusion in this thread.
I deal with the RNLI a fair bit, so can try to answer some of the points raised:
"Emergency service" - not sure this comparison is valid as technically the RNLI are not an emergency service, by which I mean you can't dial 999 and get the RNLI, you ask for/get the Coastguard (strictly the Maritime and Coastguard Agency) who are the launch authority for the RNLI and will decide whether to call them out
Pay - plenty of people in the RNLI do get paid, they must employ thousands of people, see here and here though I guess the question is really:
a) about the crews, most of whom are volunteers but some are paid, I think mainly where the RNLI want to provide 24 hour cover; and
b) about Government funding
Are there women crews - definitely there are, I've met some of them
Personally I think it would be a disaster for the RNLI to become a wholly Government funded body, as it would change it for the worse. Just think of the cost saving pressure it would come under. Their independence is rather essential I think.
I deal with the RNLI a fair bit, so can try to answer some of the points raised:
"Emergency service" - not sure this comparison is valid as technically the RNLI are not an emergency service, by which I mean you can't dial 999 and get the RNLI, you ask for/get the Coastguard (strictly the Maritime and Coastguard Agency) who are the launch authority for the RNLI and will decide whether to call them out
Pay - plenty of people in the RNLI do get paid, they must employ thousands of people, see here and here though I guess the question is really:
a) about the crews, most of whom are volunteers but some are paid, I think mainly where the RNLI want to provide 24 hour cover; and
b) about Government funding
Are there women crews - definitely there are, I've met some of them
Personally I think it would be a disaster for the RNLI to become a wholly Government funded body, as it would change it for the worse. Just think of the cost saving pressure it would come under. Their independence is rather essential I think.
Phud said:
If you want a sobering moment, take a look at who volunteered to crew the new Penlee boat after the Solomon Browne, I have had the privilege to work with the RNLI, the crews are all mad, (in a good way) the weather they go out in and how thoughtless to their own position is amazes me still.
No to payment if it changes anything, and I didn't know about the VAT issue which was raised by a previous poster, I recall that the RNLI also worked in Ireland without a name change because of the high regard in which it is held.
They cover the whole of Ireland, north and south, I was on the Inis Mor boat covering the Atlantic.No to payment if it changes anything, and I didn't know about the VAT issue which was raised by a previous poster, I recall that the RNLI also worked in Ireland without a name change because of the high regard in which it is held.
I live about 100m from a station, have several mates who are be on one or other of the two boats, another mate is a former senior manager in Poole...
The RNLI absolutely do not want any form of government involvement. Several governments have offered, they've all been told to sod off. For the reasons other posters have said. One thing that isn't often realised is that Poole designs and manufactures the vast majority of their kit, and sell to their counterparts around the world.
They are not short of cash...
As for the crews, none I know would entertain the idea. Partially as they see it as a service to the community, but also they truly value the training, experiences, etc. that being a lifeboat crewmember provides.
They're currently building a new station onshore to replace the pier station they currently have, with that we'll say goodbye to 'Voluntary Worker' our Tyne Class boat for a shiny new Shannon Class. That'll make a huge difference to the crews - cutting the time to reberth from a couple of hours to under 30 minutes (and if necessary they can run themselves aground at 20kt). Awesome bits of kit, a are the launch tractor/trailer.
Huge source of pride for the town, and every crew member knows if necessary we'd look after them and theirs as they look after us...
The RNLI absolutely do not want any form of government involvement. Several governments have offered, they've all been told to sod off. For the reasons other posters have said. One thing that isn't often realised is that Poole designs and manufactures the vast majority of their kit, and sell to their counterparts around the world.
They are not short of cash...
As for the crews, none I know would entertain the idea. Partially as they see it as a service to the community, but also they truly value the training, experiences, etc. that being a lifeboat crewmember provides.
They're currently building a new station onshore to replace the pier station they currently have, with that we'll say goodbye to 'Voluntary Worker' our Tyne Class boat for a shiny new Shannon Class. That'll make a huge difference to the crews - cutting the time to reberth from a couple of hours to under 30 minutes (and if necessary they can run themselves aground at 20kt). Awesome bits of kit, a are the launch tractor/trailer.
Huge source of pride for the town, and every crew member knows if necessary we'd look after them and theirs as they look after us...
Edited by Sway on Wednesday 18th January 18:35
StevieBee said:
A few years back I was at an event in Hastings by the lifeboat hut and the siren went off. Never seen anything like it before. Some bloke tore up on a sports bike still in his butcher's apron, another in a builder's flat bed....some bloke in a suit....I didn't time it but cannot have been more then 5 minutes before the boat was at sea. Quite remarkable.
Yup, thats exactly it, people would stop and give lifts if it meant saving a few minutes.AMG Merc said:
Absolutely. Salt of the Earth every one of them. I can think of nothing worse than going into a storm in the pitch black, frezing cold of midwinter, in a small vessel looking up at the top of crashing waves.
You have put that better than I ever could. My family, going back to before WW1 were RNLI crew. My dad, granddad and great granddad all served on the deck and as skippers. My true heroes. Everyone here who donates and supports deserves our appreciation. I'm a keen diver, and I am currently doing powerboat training so I can skipper the club RHIB's. As you would expect, the diving community is hugely grateful and supportive of the RNLI, and participate in many fundraising drives*.
I do not think they should be paid, but if they were, they would have earned every penny. The problem is, who is going to pay them? The RNLI itself would be better using it's money on equipment, training, and safety initiatives. They have said themselves they do not want to be a government run organisation, as it would subject them to funding cuts and bureaucracy.
Last year's video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hX6BuqBsrAc
I do not think they should be paid, but if they were, they would have earned every penny. The problem is, who is going to pay them? The RNLI itself would be better using it's money on equipment, training, and safety initiatives. They have said themselves they do not want to be a government run organisation, as it would subject them to funding cuts and bureaucracy.
NinjaPower said:
I tend to think that the fact that they aren't paid means that the 'right' individuals apply for the jobs.
Excellent point.*Our next event is the Menai Boat run, on the 2nd April, so anyone in the area, watch out for us. My new club organised this last year, before I joined. The intent was a post-winter shakedown of the boats, but our Diving Officer had the idea of inviting other British Sub Aqua Club branches to bring their boats, with each crew member making a donation to RNLI (whose Beaumaris crew joined in). As it was so well supported, It's going to be an annual event.
Last year's video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hX6BuqBsrAc
Sway said:
I live about 100m from a station, have several mates who are be on one or other of the two boats, another mate is a former senior manager in Poole...
The RNLI absolutely do not want any form of government involvement. Several governments have offered, they've all been told to sod off. For the reasons other posters have said. One thing that isn't often realised is that Poole designs and manufactures the vast majority of their kit, and sell to their counterparts around the world.
Seeing the amazing boats they manage to design and build in house, and comparing it with, well, any government procurement ever, you really wouldn't want to let the government anywhere near it. They've got it all nailed, all under their control, and they'd loose that.The RNLI absolutely do not want any form of government involvement. Several governments have offered, they've all been told to sod off. For the reasons other posters have said. One thing that isn't often realised is that Poole designs and manufactures the vast majority of their kit, and sell to their counterparts around the world.
Edited by Sway on Wednesday 18th January 18:35
DIW35 said:
The other 3 emergency services are all paid for, and look at the state of them. Never a policeman around when you need one, ambulances take hours rather than minutes to turn up to emergencies, and fireman have been known to strike because they are unhappy with proposed changes to their working conditions.
Some of the above may be slight exaggeration, but I am sure you get the point. I've never heard of any such problem with the fantastic people that make the RNLI possible, and may it long remain that way.
There is a 4th emergency service, and it's not a man offering to repair your car. Some of the above may be slight exaggeration, but I am sure you get the point. I've never heard of any such problem with the fantastic people that make the RNLI possible, and may it long remain that way.
Edited by DIW35 on Wednesday 18th January 16:45
crankedup said:
StevieBee said:
A few years back I was at an event in Hastings by the lifeboat hut and the siren went off. Never seen anything like it before. Some bloke tore up on a sports bike still in his butcher's apron, another in a builder's flat bed....some bloke in a suit....I didn't time it but cannot have been more then 5 minutes before the boat was at sea. Quite remarkable.
Yup, thats exactly it, people would stop and give lifts if it meant saving a few minutes.I vividly remember two instances
One winters night the maroons went up, and by golly if you have never heard one, they are LOUD.
The lifeboat was at that time, one of the old style ones and had to be launched down the beach, when on a cradle (IIRC)
Not only did the crew go ,but a lot of the town to help get her in the water,as i heard them running through the streets past our house.
The other time i did get to see a launch during the day, it was like a Hollywood movie with everyone dropping things and just going there
found this on tinternet of the boat involved
Great people and one of the few i stop and give money to, and lets face it one of the few organisations who DONT need professionsl fund raisers on some obscene annual salary
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