[6639]

Tacho, if you read my post correctly you would have seen that I said "uneducated and uninformed in matters of the RNLI," meaning that the layman is as learned about the correct timing and methodology of beach launching a Mersey Class lifeboat from a tractor on a shingle beach with an onshore wind and swell as I am.
Perhaps as a Master mariner you have learned such intricacies as those that have been commented on, but if you haven't you have no more cause to offer open criticism of these gallant men than I ever would, and that is my critisism of your post, not you as a person!

 

[6639]

I thought the job of criticism, Tacho, was for the RNLI District Inspectors, and not for us un informed (and as RNLI matters are concerned) uneducated laymen, in such matters,
I for one would like to keep it that way,especially when it isn't constructive criticism anyway!

 

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Like wise too, phill. Unfortunatley you felt my wroth, (for which I apologise)as I have a totally biased opinion of the RNLI lifeboat crews of this country, as as an 8 year old my life was saved from certain drowning when I became trapped under the slipway of Fleetwood lifeboat station on a fast ebb tide, when the selfless actions of a crewman jumped into the river to pull me out.
Naturally I won't have a word said against them!
Tunnelled vision maybe, but I have 48 reasons for being so........the birthdays I have celebrated since that day.

 

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Jok, if you think this was "scarey as hell" Imagine the old pulling and Sailing lifeboats before the advent of the motor lifeboat.
There is a story of the old Cromer (Norfolk) lifeboat trying to get off in a stong northerly gail to rescue the crew of an old barge called Sepoy. the crew were hung into the rigging for hours, 200 meters from shore watching the drama of the lifeboat and her crew as she was continually flung back up the beach on many occassions. Finally the coxs.n and his crew got the boat off and rescued the crew after some hours of trying.
That coxs'n was a certain man called henry Blogg, an eventual 3 times RNLI gold medal winner, ( and he gained a number of silver medals for gallentry one of which was for this rescue ) and no one ever called these rescues, when his boat turned sideways into the surf, a "cock up" or "bad seamanship!"

 

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something interesting

I don't know whether this will work Jok but will try a thumbnail of the tunnels on the Mersey class boat.neil.
There was little danger of damage as these boats were designed as a beach launch lifeboat to supercede the old Rother and earlier Oakley class lifeboat.

 

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I'm sure, philthechill, you would turn this "cock up" crew away from you as a casualty, for being so inept, and refuse their assistance in a time of crisis
And I'm sure that Aldeburgh's crew would be as disgusted and distressed with your comments (as I am) as to the way in which they reacted to a very difficult and stressfull situation!!!
I would like to have seen your response to such a situation in such cir***stances?
Jok, it's owned by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution!
And I think Santos has hit the nail on the head with his coments.These guys are to be commended, not belittled ,as philthechill would like to do!

 

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it was a good demonstration of getting out of a tricky and sticky situation, and that's what is admirable! and within seconds as well!!!

 

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Brilliant!
It is no wonder that these guys, and their seamanship is so revered and respected the world over, and so admired by SAR units world wide!
I for one feel so proud that they are British.
A happy and safe 2008 to all lifeboatmen everywhere!