The RNLI

anyone on stw a RNLI volunteer?

Excellent question that!

Totally agree about the organisation too.

Not me, too far from the  sea but I have a few friends that are and we do bits and pieces of work for them.

I did hear a great story that at the naming ceremony of one of the boats, the person who had donated the full cost of the boat and was naming the boat after his late wife, took the RNLI announcer to one side just before she walked onto the stage. He wanted to tell her that when they have worn that boat out he would buy them another.. It took them all a little while to gather their composure..

By some weird coincidence I have seen lots of lifeboat launches, one of the most memorable was Skegness which has an enormous off road contraption to carry the boat across the beach to the water. Absolutely incredible and very impressive

I often find myself working away and staying in Travelodge hotels. One of the highlights, and it's obviously a low bar, is watching 'Saving lives at sea' while tucking into the umpteenth takeaway that week

Impressive bit of kit, designed and built themselves too.

I wonder if (or could) they license the design for production that could be sold worldwide.

Mrs Donald is on the local fund raising committee and a shop volunteer. We live in a seaside town and our lifeboat is very dear to people's hearts here.

Shannon is a beaut.

I’d like them to have more Shannons and if you do too - https://donate.justgiving.com/charity/rnli/donation-amount

I work in a coastal town and walk past the lifeboat house frequently on lunch breaks. They've got an old tractor I sometimes see on the beach, which has phenomenal levels of rust, but is still in use. Haven't witnessed any launches yet, but have seen it out at sea, or sometimes just outside. I love the sea, but only to look at and listen to - as I can't swim.

I wonder if (or could) they license the design for production that could be sold worldwide.

they sell old boats to other organisations.  I don’t think the build or license to other parties but I suspect that is a cost rather than principal issue, not many lifeboat organisations in other parts of the world have their sort of budget.  Indeed most of the 80 odd independent  lifeboats / rescue services around the U.K. certainly couldn’t.  Thats not to knock the work they do.

Indeed most of the 80 odd independent lifeboats / rescue services around the U.K.

Well, well, for some reason I'd always assumed there were no independent lifeboats around the country to be honest. Another interesting fact learnt from STW.

''Well, well, for some reason I’d always assumed there were no independent lifeboats around the country to be honest. Another interesting fact learnt from STW. "

used to be One at stonehaven , I did my coxswain training there. I see the RNLI have taken it on now though.

One at findhorn in NE scotland, a busy Watersports area but some distance from nearest RNLI station.

(Seems the quote function not working for me then...)

As an engineer I love their design solutions, I spent an hour or so having a nosey and natter in the St David's station - there is so much detail and fascinating history in the station's that without a doubt if I was local I would definitely be a volunteer. I'm guessing as well they are great for community spirit. We bought the artwork below whilst we were in St Davids

In a previous job I was involved in a little bit of the Trent class development (polyurethane buoyancy for the hulls).

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St Abbs is independent, it was shut down by the RNLI but the locals got together, as it’s such a busy area for divers they thought any delay from other stations wasn’t acceptable. A major donation came from the family that own Tunnocks Biscuits! The shop there is a good place to get Tunnocks branded fundraising bits and bobs..

The video starts with an image of a Shannon on its turntable trailer, but doesn't show it in action, and it's one of the most impressive bits.

I'm 99% sure the image is at Hoylake on the Wirral. If the tide is out, there can be 2km of sand to cross to reach the water. With the Mersey class, they would winch the boat back onto the trailer, take it back to the station and turn it round ready to relaunch, which took a long time. With the Shannon, they had just recovered it onto the trailer and they had another shout - spin it round and back in the water immediately. The tractor is designed to operate in 2m of water, and if the tide's coming in and they can't get it out, they seal it up and it will sit there under 9m of water until they come back for it.

This near-capsize of a Shannon lifeboat during Storm Ciara shows just how effective and important its ability to self-right is.

Well, well, for some reason I’d always assumed there were no independent lifeboats around the country to be honest. Another interesting fact learnt from STW.

That is their issue - they don't have the RNLI resources to spend on "marketing" and so people just see an orange lifeboat and assume it is the RNLI.  Accordingly at fundraising time the money goes in the RNLI bucket, or the legacy gets left to the RNLI.

They've pulled me out of the water twice so they are my chosen charity.

I sell badges and flags and give a lot of RNLI branded bits as gifts. Plus regular donations. They mean a lot to me. Always feel happy when I wander by the Weymouth shop.

Another couple of favourite lifeboat stations...

I got talking to a bloke at RNLI Hastings and he let me have a look around their new Shannon when it was outside, but not close enough to actually touch it. What an amazing bit of kit!

Some chap sold off his collection of vintage Ferraris to pay for it.

I was involved in the design of some of the launch and recovery kit for the Shannon class.  I can confirm that the pic on the OPs video is from Hoylake, they did some of the initial trials there and were one of the first stations to get the class because of the issues with turning the previous class around.

As hinted at in one of the previous posts the RNLI is pretty well funded, when they couldn't find an existing design for the Shannon class they employed their own team to design the boat.  The prototype 'Effseabee Too' (fast carriage boat 2) was made by a 3rd party, but when it came to serial production they realised that it was more economical set up their own boatyard than commissioning a yarn to build 60+ boats!

Watching the prototype drive at full tilt up the beach at Dungeness was quite impressive, the change from ducted props to water jets has made the so much better then the Mersey class they replaced.

Classic STW. Actual designer contributes to a thread about a specific design. Love it!

I tapped the window card reader at Porthcawl recently and gave them £3, so basically one of those Shannons is funded by me.

Absolutely fantastic organisation. I would really love to volunteer, but I live in the poxy Midlands 🙁

Having a look at the Shannon class at Seahouses I was amazed, properly cool thunderbirds type stuff. The cab looked to be packed with so much tech, makes the £2m + price tage look quite reasonable!

Airfix do one for £20. £1 from each sale goes to the RNLI.

Having a look at the Shannon class at Seahouses I was amazed, properly cool thunderbirds type stuff. The cab looked to be packed with so much tech, makes the £2m + price tage look quite reasonable!

Don't forget that the LARS (tractor and trailer) cost another £1.5 million.

Unfortunately for Seahouses, due to the nature of the launch and recovery site, the recoveries take much longer than the previous Mersey class did.

Pissed up 2065 me (if I live that long) gonna be buying one of those tractors on future-ebay.

One of the few charities that gets my absolute support. I will say that every now and then you do see some grumps on facearse having a moan.

They do have very very deep pockets, and FWIW apparently some of the independent stations also have a lorra lorra money (c) Cilla. Which is why they won't join RNLI. Southport is one of them or so I've been told. Lots of old dudes live there in big old houses, so lots of wills.

I know someone who volunteers in our little local one and from the very limited times he's out on it, I wouldn't want to do it. Also  they saved my father in law from smacking his disabled 42footer onto Anglesey once, which was nice.

But the absolute underlying truth of this is, that if the RNLI didn't exist then we'd be asking Capita or Serco to run it, and it would be government (un)funded. And a total shitshow. So, long may it last!

Few people have said things like this:

Absolutely fantastic organisation. I would really love to volunteer, but I live in the poxy Midlands ?

worth bearing in mind that there are volunteering roles which can be done away from the shore - the hero’s need people to do them too…

if you really want to get your feet wet - then I think you can volunteer for Tower Bridge a week at a time (residential) and will likely get out on as many actual shouts as you would based in quiet coastal station for a year.

or, there are flood response teams - not sure if there’s one in the midlands.  If there is not an RNLI one, I’d be surprised if there’s not an independent river/flood team.

There's a Shannon and trailer-tug at Barmouth now, and a last week I had a nose around it (the station is also a "look around" open to the public when they're not on a shout). when the tides low, it's quite the drag to get it to the sea

I donate a small amount each month via direct debit. One of my co-workers volunteers at Queensferry. He's not on the boats but is part of the people who support the crews. Queensferry mostly deals with a mix of people caught out by the tides at Cramond island and jumpers from the bridges. The latter is as you expect quite grim business.

Its worth reading the list of Rnli disasters to remind yourself just how significant boats like this are.

I used to live just up the road from Clayton engineering that make launch tractors and carriages. In Knighton in the Welsh borders of all places.

They get a small monthly sum from me as I made my living from being in the sea for a while. I never needed them to come and fish me, or my groups, out but I liked knowing they weren't far away.

The story of how we got to the point where mad right-whingers are anti-RNLI is fascinating. The increase in donations every time Faarage slags them off is quite heartwarming too!

The RNLI and the lifeboat crew are an incredibly important part of our island community, I know quite a few members of the crew, plus many others who volunteer for fundraising. Lifeboat Day here is a huge community event as the money stays locally. One of the members sadly died the other week after a short illness and the funeral was attended by hundreds from across the country, including the Chief Exec of the RNLI. I’m astounded by their professionalism of individuals, particularly when you hear about the sometimes difficult jobs they have do and the weather conditions they have to go out in.

Shit stirrers like Farage and references to illegal immigrant taxis can absolutely get in the sea.

The boats (and the service, I hope it goes without saying) are amazing but I love the launch methods and launch vehicles more, all those weird tanks and tractors and cranes and trailers and mecha and ramps... It used to always be Anstruther we'd see them at, they have a Shannon now but it was an Oakley when I was a kid and it looks so stone aged now.

One of the RNLI's founding principles 200 years ago was that the nationality or country of origin of individuals was irrelevant, they were there for everyone.

When the Irish Free State was created it had no effect on the RNLI and to this day all the RNLI lifeboat stations in the Republic are fully integrated with those in the rest of the British Isles.

During WW2 the RNLI as well as obviously rescuing RAF aircrews were also rescuing Luftwaffe aircrews, so you would think that Nigel Farage might actually be grateful for the RNLI's nondiscriminatory mission statement which clearly helped his side 😉

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/29/rnli-donations-soar-in-response-to-farages-migrant-criticism

@sirromj

Used to watch the predecessor to the current boat being launched from the lifeboat house halfway along the pier.

Was in the Sea Cadets in my teens and we used to do a lot of fund raising.

On the bigger boats(or maybe all,dont know) the lettering on the crafts number on the side is made up of hundreds of names of contributors, and you can get your name, or that of a deceased loved one added for as little as £200

As a family we've got a standing order everyone puts in to (Because of dads job at bae, and my sailing) but we added his name and gave them a £1k donation for it. The RNLI said we didnt have to give so much and 200 quid is about the average. but you know...

Anyone who's been offshore and out of the sight of land appreciates how vulnerable we can be out there. I really hate hearing criticism in the press.

Anyone staying overnight in Poole should check if their hotel is available too, a decent spot and right on the quay. Does get busy/booked up regularly too.

Anyone who’s been offshore and out of the sight of land appreciates how vulnerable we can be out there. I really hate hearing criticism in the press.

Anyone who has been upside down in a mirror dinghy* while the tides tay drags you rapidly downstream can appreciate the sight of the Broughty lifeboat skipping towards you.

* Not actually in trouble but having a bit of a mare getting it to stay up. Concerned muggles called it in. Guys were always cheerful on a false alarm.

My Great Grandfather was a founder member of the Weston Super Mare lifeboats and station.

I was a lifeguard for a time. My local rescue is SARA on the Severn, they were interested in me joining... But I'm a little far way. If I lived in Chepstow the tradition would carry on.

I got some amazing photos and newspaper articles, I post later.

Someone wanted a copy, so I'll a mini site somewhere.

We have a lot of suicides in our area, being near two iconic bridges :-(.

Always donate something.

Workington lifeboat station has a Shannon but with a slightly different launch and recovery system which is quite cool in itself!

https://cumbriashipphotos.weebly.com/workington-lifeboats.html

I live on the East Coast and our local RNLI was the Spurn Point (Humber ) station,  at the time the only full time station. Think they have relocated to Grimsby now due to the fact the access road to the station has washed away.  Used to do work on the RNLI houses and at the time the coxswain was a guy called Bri Bevan, (still see him now and again) and back in the day he was featured on “ This is your Life”
There we’re certainly some characters on the boat back then!

The actual fourth emergency service in my opinion.

Believe my great grandfather was on the crew in Skegness so would have been back around the 1900's I guess.

We stayed at their training centre in Poole for a couple of nights a couple of years ago. A great place to stay and helps them make money utilising it's capacity outside of the working week when they don't need the rooms themselves.

Hi Ernie,

Yes, I am a RNLI Launch Authority at Shoreham Harbour.  We are a Tamar ALB and D Class ILB station and are a slipway launch station.  And whilst being a volunteer myself, all of our volunteers boat, shore, shop and fundraising give a massive amount of time for free.

We were out last night at 01.15 until 03.00  ...

And we had a shout at about midday as well

If anyone is down this way, let me know, and i will try and show you around

We were out last night at 01.15 until 03.00 …

Impressive!

I think what I find particularly interesting about the Saving Lives at Sea series on the telly isn't just the actual rescue operations but also the interviews afterwards with the people who have been rescued, and what it meant to them to see the RNLI approaching in their hour of need. The whole thing can be a tad emotional!

Great thread, thanks!

I should have added, our local boat is a Severn Class and having been down in the ‘passenger’ compartment when alongside, I can’t think of how much ‘fun’ it would be in a big sea ??? - they have quite a big patch, covering down to Oban, up to Mallaig as well as Coll and Tiree - off the Cairns of Coll or Ardnamurchan Point in a big blow would be very unpleasant.
My work colleague’s husband and son are both crew, so there’s a degree of nervousness whenever there’s a shout - fortunately most are to deal with broken-down yachts needing assistance.
They had a funny one earlier in the year where a pissed-up tourist wandered off the coast path at midnight without a torch, slid down a steep bank and cliff to miraculously land on the only protruding ledge around. As he sobered up, the tide started to come in and called for help at dawn when he realised he couldn’t escape.

Fella I used to work with and MTB with (we crossed the alps together!) is some kind of captain type thing on the Jersey lifeboats. I used to follow him on Facebook, but got kinda jealous of what a hero he was/is. Top bloke, James. 😀

Beaten to it, but a former colleague is a crew member and very much recommends the accommodation at Poole, it helps run the centre for training and apparently the food is very good.

I grew up in West Cornwall surrounded by lifeboats and the Navy Sea Kings. Too young for the Penlee disaster but very much still remembered locally. I'm in Mid Wales now but always look for a lifeboat station to support when heading to the sea.

And on a positive ending, well chuffed that one of my school friends became one of their boat designers - what a job!

Impressive!

I think what I find particularly interesting about the Saving Lives at Sea series on the telly isn’t just the actual rescue operations but also the interviews afterwards with the people who have been rescued, and what it meant to them to see the RNLI approaching in their hour of need. The whole thing can be a tad emotional!

People do get themselves in very bad situations quite quickly - and generally , no matter how long they have been out, the crew are in a better place that those we rescue.  Sometimes even the trivial ones can be quite life changing for those involved, as they realise the impact of decisions.

And it is usually more than the RNLI involved - the Coastguard, CRT teams, police , paramedics - and various teams offering aftercare.

Boss in the ALB = Coxswain

Boss in the ILB = Helm

I grew up in West Cornwall surrounded by lifeboats and the Navy Sea Kings

Did some great sea survival training down there for a ship bourne deployment years ago.

Best week messing about on the oggin with the RN and RNLI.