Obituary - David Stogton

[Jelly]

Times Obituary for David Stogdon - one of the early RIB designers
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/com...cle3377532.ece
I hope you don't mind the link John, but this seems a missing chapter in my knowledge of rib history which I expect was also missing in others.
James

[havener]

Remarkable guy.

One can't help but think today's progressive and competence based recruitment techniques, of which the RNLI is a major user, would he wouldn't get through the first sift.

Shame really that so many of his products are used purely to save drowning chavs and feral children!

[John Kennett]

Originally Posted by Jelly

I hope you don't mind the link John, but this seems a missing chapter in my knowledge of rib history which I expect was also missing in others.

Thanks for posting it. I have to admit that I had never heard of David Stogton. It's quite a story - he must have been a fascinating man.

John

[codprawn]

Amazing - and to think he's the bloke who designed those incredible Arie Visser rescue RIBs. Not only that but he shot down 3 Stukas from a sinking ship!!!

[alystra]

Originally Posted by havener

Remarkable guy.

One can't help but think today's progressive and competence based recruitment techniques, of which the RNLI is a major user, would he wouldn't get through the first sift......

I'm sure you're right. He wouldn't have been allowed to shoot down three Stukas either.

'You seem to have shot down three Stukas without first obtaining a Certificate of Competence in Stuka Shooting Down. Is this true?'

'Yes, I'm a boat designer.'

'Mmm! Neither do you seem to have filed a Risk Assessment before pulling the trigger. Do you realise that such actions by unqualified operatives are dangerous, and without such an assessment lives could have been put in jeopardy?'

'Yes. Er, I was thinking about this boat I'm designing.'

'Your actions could well have put the whole organisation in a very difficult position with our sponsors/shareholders. Such actions by unqualified, and therefore incompetent, staff are not to be tolerated.'

'Yes, but I've got this great idea for a revolutionary new type of boat...'

'Have you got a Revolutionary Boat Design Certificate of Competence?'

'Er, no. There aren't any.'

'I'm sorry son, without such qualifications you are incompetent and a Health and Safety risk. I'll have to let you go.'

Mmmm. Don't suppose we'll see many more amazing people like him again.

[Jelly]

Telegragh Obit
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.../15/db1501.xml

[DGR]

Completely agree - I was amazed when I read the obit in the Times - I'd never heard of him. How come he didn't get more credit for RIB design?

Anyway - maybe now that the RNLI have run into problems with the FCB2 (no good in the rough, apparently) maybe they should go and look at what the Dutch are doing with their RIBS?



Not wishing to start a fight......

[codprawn]

In fairness a lot of RNLI rescues involve a lot of towing - often of some stupidly large boats and even ships. Waterjets just don't have the same grip as a prop and the heavier the boat the better.

[chris123]

The RNLI are already well aware of the capabilities and drawbacks of KNRM's boats - a lot of knowledge sharing goes on between the various SAR organisations.

Cheers

Chris

[DGR]

Originally Posted by codprawn

In fairness a lot of RNLI rescues involve a lot of towing - often of some stupidly large boats and even ships. Waterjets just don't have the same grip as a prop and the heavier the boat the better.

To be fair - the debate isn't about the water jets - it's about hull performance in big seas. I think that the jets have been tried and tested well enough that they are happy with that method of propulsion.

Originally Posted by chris123

The RNLI are already well aware of the capabilities and drawbacks of KNRM's boats - a lot of knowledge sharing goes on between the various SAR organisations.

I don't doubt that for a minute. It's just a bit weird that even though they share information, they all spend small (or even large) fortunes developing their own boats. Seems rather wasteful of resources.