Is a Redbay really necessary on Loch Lomond?

[Polwart]

I have just received my newsletter from the Loch Lommond and Trossachs National Park Authority. Apparently they are replacing their Targa25 "rangers patrol boat" with a Redbay.

Now don't get me wrong - the loch can get choppy. And in the rain / snow / wind a cabin must be desirable for them. But I don't think it quite needs the seakeeping of a redbay (or probably the orginal targa!). They do also have a reasonably large rib (delta?) which is used for speed limit enforcement etc too.

Perhaps I am just jealous!

[Biggles]

No I don't think so.

It amazes me that any public body or industry can always afford the best. Maybe they need to pay a bit more tax to bring them down to our level.

All these public services say they don't have enough money but they seem to have nice offices, new vehicles, expensive boats, the latest communications etc. And yet us a private individual often wonders how we are going to fill the next tank of petrol to get to work.

I even went in to a school in Portsmouth last year that had 4 42" (Yes 4) Plasma TV's in the reception, who watches them, the head !!! And last year 42" plasma TV's cost a small fortune. And those of you with kids at school in the UK know that schools are always asking for money for trips and books etc.

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by Biggles

I even went in to a school in Portsmouth last year that had 4 42" (Yes 4) Plasma TV's in the reception, who watches them, the head !!! And last year 42" plasma TV's cost a small fortune. And those of you with kids at school in the UK know that schools are always asking for money for trips and books etc.

We have 32's dotted throughout the building... there's one in our office and we don't even want it, it's permanently off!

[BogMonster]

Originally Posted by Richard B

We have 32's dotted throughout the building... there's one in our office and we don't even want it, it's permanently off!

Can I have it?

[Mouldy]

Can't put a price on safety. The one occcasion it's really needed will put the cost into perpective. It must be one of the best boats to 'safely' overload in an emergency.

[Nasher]

Aye

[Polwart]

[quote=Mouldy;185696] Can't put a price on safety. [quote]
At the end of the day you have to. Loch users don't pay for the facilities directly at the moment - the tax payer does. However there are a number of things the ranger service could do for less money (and the rangers agree would be useful) including installing VHF antanae, so you are not reliant on poor mobile phone reception in an emergency.

None of the bouys are lit - but they are considering it for safety "when suitable funds can be identified".

The one occcasion it's really needed will put the cost into perpective.

They are not the primary rescue response on the loch. There is a rescue boat funded by voluntary donations who have just received a new boat. Undoubtedly the existing boat does do some work of this nature, and will get involved in searches etc too - but this is not its main task. But in addition to the Luss rescue boat the rangers also have a rib (mostly used for catching people speeding).


I don't mind really - its just the more I see a redbay the more I want one...

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Biggles

No I don't think so.

It amazes me that any public body or industry can always afford the best. Maybe they need to pay a bit more tax to bring them down to our level.

All these public services say they don't have enough money but they seem to have nice offices, new vehicles, expensive boats, the latest communications etc. And yet us a private individual often wonders how we are going to fill the next tank of petrol to get to work.

Tell me about it - Police patrol cars around here are £45,000 Merc estates - they have a new Range Rover and a Discovery 3. They even have a Mitsubishi Evo VIII - I mean!!! And of course that's not forgetting the greatest white elephants of them all - the Police helicopters. They cost about £5,000 every hour in the air and they use them to catch joyriders who have stolen an old Astra - meanwhile the air ambulance struggles for funding!!!

[IBWET]

I've seen most of what the weather can offer on loch lomond, it can get pretty rough, plenty rough enough to justify a large rib, they prob picked RB because heated cabin for long stretches out wandering about.

Craig C's 8.4 is an amazing boat, could have been designed for this application me thinks.

[havener]

Originally Posted by codprawn

And of course that's not forgetting the greatest white elephants of them all - the Police helicopters. They cost about £5,000 every hour in the air and they use them to catch joyriders who have stolen an old Astra - meanwhile the air ambulance struggles for funding!!!

Bollocks.

I've worked many times with WO99 (South Wales helo) which has done more than it's fair share of search and rescue work, jumpers from Severn Bridges and Newport Bridge, response to cars off road in remote places, swiftwater flood rescue...the list goes on. Yes, part of their time is taken up chasing stolen vehicles, but (a) it's good pilot and observer training for "proper" missing persons searches, and (b) why should car thieves nick things with impunity?

And I agree about the air ambulance, but maybe the health minister should explain that one - robbing one service to help another is hardly the answer.

Simon