RNLI Saving Lives At Sea

[mealsonwheels]

What a brilliant programme this was.
It restored our faith in human nature, to know there are still many brave, decent human beings around who are the very Best of British, volunteering for Lifeboat crew and going out at any time of the day or night, in all weathers to rescue people in distress.
We always make a point of visiting the local lifeboat station and RNLI shops wherever we happen to be caravanning and we hope they make another series in future.

 

[Martin24]

In my humble opinion the RNLI should be government funded. We are an island nation and their service to our country is invaluable. For many years despite the fact I am unlikely to ever need their services I have been a member of this wonderful organisation.

 

[VicMallows]

In my humble opinion the RNLI should be government funded.

I am not so sure about that. Once the government became involved the service would be at jeopardy of 'streamlining' (cuts) at the whim of politicians. The next step would probably be some form of licensing of leisure users to fund the service. The volunteers who provide the excellent service might question why they should work unpaid for the State..............

Fortunately , financially the RNLI is one of the most successful of all charities at fund raising. We should though not forget the many independent low-profile local rescue services who supplement the RNLI, especially in busy leisure sailing areas. They do often struggle for funds.

 

[Damian]

I agree with Vic, keep the Government well away from the RNLI.
They are without doubt a very successful organisation unhampered by Government meddling.

However, I tend to disagree with Vic regarding leisure users.

They should pay a contribution to the RNLI as some of them are a disaster waiting to happen.
Ill prepared, no safety protocols on board, no means of communication, badly maintained boats and idiotic owners who have absolutely no idea of wind and tide conditions and a lot, particularly jet skiiers, who pose a very dangerous threat to other water users, particularly swimmers, and seem to totally ignore water speed limits.

 

[JRS1]

They are without doubt a very successful organisation unhampered by meddling and trawler loads of Red tape. The NHS /A&E are an outstanding example of the way people treat and miss use this (Free my backside) service , the gov. Can't Evan look after the Nations armed forces etc.etc rant over cheers JRS1

 

[Thingy]

They should pay a contribution to the RNLI as some of them are a disaster waiting to happen.
Ill prepared, no safety protocols on board, no means of communication, badly maintained boats and idiotic owners who have absolutely no idea of wind and tide conditions and a lot, particularly jet skiiers, who pose a very dangerous threat to other water users, particularly swimmers, and seem to totally ignore water speed limits.

This puts me in mind of a lady doctor and her husband that went off walking in Glencoe without proper equipment. Caught in a late blizzard, the husband died and the doctor was rescued by mountain rescue. I understand that after the ordeal she wrote a book and did very well on it, failing of course to donate to the brave souls that risked their own lives to rescue her.