Should lifeboatmen be paid?

[crofty1984]

I was talking to a guy the other day about this. My opinion is no. Not that they don't deserve it, but I think in a job like that, being purely voluntary means you only get people who do it "because it's the right thing to do".
What are your opinions?

[crofty1984]

HarryW said:

Harsh as it sounds the voluntary bit ensures the right people do the job imho.
I would also imagine, bar out of pocket expenses, most would find it insulting to be offered money, for example there are a lot that do it out family tradition and believe it to be an honour to be selected.

That is my argument. And yes, If my child was drowning I would indeed give everything I owned to get them safe. That's also the point, how would you decide that risking your life was worth, say £35,000 but not £35,500???
Like I said at the start, keeping it voluntary means that you get people doing it that are in the game because it's the right thing to do, and that it's an honourable thing. You don't want someone heading out that's only doing it because it pays more than being an assistant manager at Tescos. My question wasn't do lifeboatmen (and women) DESERVE to be paid, IMO you couldn't think of a figure that would be enough for the bravery of these people. It was does keeping the RNLI as it is make sure that you get the best and only the best? I believe it does.

[crofty1984]

tvradict said:

Mr Dave said:

So yeah, should RNLI crews get paid? No. Should they maybe get more tax cuts, a yearly bonus, more of a pension? Something to make their lives a bit easier as a thankyou? Maybe.

Agreed.

I'm pretty sure there is one lifeboat crew in the UK paid, they live next to the lifeboat station in housing provided by the RNLI IIRC. I'm not sure if its a proper PAYE income or if they get a sort of living allowance. I think its the Humber Lifeboat, cant remember the name of the point they are based on but its regularly cut off from the mainland so holding down a full time job and repsonding to shouts would be impossible.

Judging by that I'd say it was Spurn point you were taking about.