This is a rant so don’t read

[Scary Des]

I had the extreme displeasure of watching Seaside Rescue last night, which for me, epitomised all that is wrong with the BBC and rescue services.

On the one hand you have the BBC hyping up a non-event and on the other you have the rescue services justifying there existence

For those that missed it three of the life or death rescues were a woman who was feeling a bit sea sick a few miles from land, a paraglide who got his foil wet and was rope belayed up a gentle hill and a windsurfer two inches from the beach who was too lazy to pull his sail up

How any of these could be considered a rescue I don’t know and why the BBC bothered to film it is beyond me.

Is there so little real drama in the world that the BBC have to make it up or are they guilty of being lazy and just can’t be bother to go out and find something real to report

And as for the rescue services Des

[tcwozere]

I didn't open your thread, and haven't read your post Des.. But, I thought the same.. The paraglider was a tad too smug after the "rescue"..

[Hightower]

Yes, and I didn't think much of the Helicopter crew delivering a love note for the Captains girlfriend (who didn't look very impressed by the way) all in the name of an exercise .

[Shaggy]

How else can the BBC justify the purchase of a £3000 portable water proof camera on the IRB operator’s wetsuit?

That aside these guys do a fine job on the beaches Des, a number of my friends are IRB qualified lifeguards and I’ve seen them out in 6-10 foot of breaking surf pulling out crazy emitts who went for a swim with Red flags every where

It’s a life style yes but they really do make a difference, the problem is you only hear about the ones they didn’t make it too.

Shaggy

[codprawn]

Don't read this - what a great way to guarantee everyone will......

Missed the prog but know what you mean. Couple of months ago the Balmoral passenger ship hit an underwater obstruction as it was coming into Swansea - I was nearby so went for a nose.

Nothing to see at all apart from a few fire engines and the lifeboat they helped pump water out of the engine room.

Everyone left but the lifboat was still hanging around - I wondered why until a BBC crew turned up - then they came in at speed and boarded the ship!!!

What a dramatic sight!!!

They will do anything they can these days to bump up the statistics - we rescued x amount last year is what they like to boast. Don't they realise most people have so much repect for them they don't NEED to bump up the figures like this - in fact they run the risk of alienating themselves if people see all they ever do is tow someone home with a duff engine. It also gives rise to the mentality of - "no probs the RNLI will save us".

There are even loads of cases now where yachts are rescued because of engine failiure - despite the fact some traditional yachts still don't even have engines!!!

[Jackwabbit]

I was surprised to find we became part of Selsey lifeboat’s statistics a couple of years a go, they reported on their web site that they were called out to a speed boat that had run aground. After pulling the boat into deeper water they escorted them & a dive boat that was in trouble back to Bracklesham bay.
The truth was a completely different story!
We were diving the Mixon hole when a speedboat turned straight towards the rocks & run aground, they didn’t have a radio, they said they had done a lot of damage to their out-drive, & couldn’t get their boat afloat. I radioed Solent coastguard to inform them of what had happened & gave their position, they called out the Selsey inflatable lifeboat which also ran aground on the rocks & had to be walked over to the speedboat. After they pulled the speedboat into deeper water our divers had come up. The lifeboat crew asked us if we would escort the speedboat back to Chichester. I explained that we were going back to Bracklesham not Chichester, & asked how far west we would have to go to get enough depth for the speedboat. We knew we were ok we only needed half a metre of water but didn’t know how much the speedboat needed. They asked us to stay with them & the speedboat as far as Bracklesham just in case they needed any help.

[Rogue Wave]

Originally Posted by codprawn

Don't read this - what a great way to guarantee everyone will......

I didn't

Originally Posted by codprawn

It also gives rise to the mentality of - "no probs the RNLI will save us".

There are even loads of cases now where yachts are rescued because of engine failiure - despite the fact some traditional yachts still don't even have engines!!!

You are absolutely correct IMNSHO. The lifeboats should be a last resort and not a handy standby! I believe that there is a pnemonical difference. One is called a rescue and the other is termed a recovery. I was discussing the fact that it seemed a waste of resources to do recoveries and they should be charged for, but if this happens it jades the voluntary status therefore the thinking is it would affect contribooshuns.....something like that anyway. I am real glad they are out there however

[The Garfish]

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

I was discussing the fact that it seemed a waste of resources to do recoveries and they should be charged for,

inn dat caise yew ow de rlni bowt sikks thowsund kwid yew nobbur


gArf

[Scary Des]

Originally Posted by Shaggy

Ho...
That aside these guys do a fine job on the beaches Des, a number of my friends are IRB qualified lifeguards and I’ve seen them out in 6-10 foot of breaking surf pulling out crazy emitts who went for a swim with Red flags every where
Shaggy

Oh come on, who wouldn’t want to spend the summer rushing around the surf using someone else’s boat and petrol and then posing on the beach in a nice uniform But seriously, the lifeguards on the program were just building their parts up, the windsurfer wasn’t in trouble and could have easily sorted out his own problems No doubt they will be put it down as a rescue

And as to rescuing emitts who are hell bent on killing themselves, you could argue that this does nothing for the future of the species, what was it Darwin said
Des

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by Scary Des

No doubt they will be put it down as a rescue
Des

probably true. However all these exciting rescues do make good television for old grannies, who then remember the RNLI in their wills which pays for new lifeboats, which one day might be needed by someone on here.

Since the crews are volunteers, I think a little trumpet blowing is acceptable if it keeps them happy. Can't say I would want to go out on a January night into the teeth of a gale to search for someone who as you say has qualified for a Darwin Award.

Originally Posted by Scary Des

Oh come on, who wouldn’t want to spend the summer rushing around the surf using someone else’s boat and petrol and then posing on the beach in a nice uniform Darwin said Des

Des, you have to be careful saying things like that, quite a few peeps on here aren't eligible for RNLI Atlantics, despite there best dreams. Ask Jono he should know

Pete