RNLI Boathooks different colours

[gingermickey]

A colleague of mine builds models of lifeboats.

He is adamant that the boathooks port and starboard are generally different colours (port=white and starboard=blue). These look like grabrails either side of the superstructure, but are a bit low down for that purpose.

Is there a reason for this colour coding or is it just his perception of how things are??

All sensible answers on a postcard please................................(Thumb)

[nhp651]

it all dates back to the days of the pulling and sailing lifeboats before motor, when each "bank" of oars were painted either blue or white, and stowed accordingly on their thwartes.
neil.

[gingermickey]

Thanks for that nhp651.

We were at an RNLI fundraiser last Monday and asked the question of the RNLI representatives there present. None knew the answer (and were obviously not old enough)!

I shall relay your answer to my colleague in due course. (Thumb)