Alternative to sailing clubs?

The Lifeboat and Crew are an integral part of out community and our club (they are all honorary members).  I would be grateful for any assistance they might offer, but I am not sure that I could look any of them in the eye after a rescue if I had not taken all possible risk mitigating actions.  I think risk mitigation is the key point ... going out to sea on your own in marginal conditions might be regarded as foolhardy imo.

Think the crews volunteered for the service because going out to save folk appeals to them. They all seem to enjoy a "shout" and an excuse to get out on the sea in an all singing modern lifeboat.
......and....

.....it's not an infinite resource. Too many shouts and the service would struggle. As somebody earlier said, best not to consider them your own personal safety boat.

We had a surfer last year who jumped off Hastings Harbour Arm in a severe gale, it may have even been storm force. Needless to say it went pair shaped and he got washed out to sea. It was seriously rough. Hastings lifeboat couldn't find him though, they came back at a lower tide so the harbour didn't protect them from the shore break. (it's a beach launching station). Trying to drive the boat up the beach to come home fouled the jets with a mixture of sand and shingle that had been stirred up by the breakers....loss of power. They tried it a couple of times and then got caught in the very severe breakers turning round for another go. It didn't turtle but it went over 90 degs in the serious, serious surf. They gave up and sailed into the weather for 20 odd miles and parked it in Eastbourne Harbour for the night.
The surfer finally got washed up on Winchelsea beach, several miles away. Exhausted but unrepentant.

The RNLI didn't comment on him personally. They just said they will rescue anyone who requires it.  The media on the other hand ripped him to shreds. 




Edited by Sussex Lad - 26 Mar 21 at 3:36pm

Saw the story. He wasn't "washed up", he followed the plan he had in place if something went wrong. And he sounded amazed that the RNLI would go and look for him in that weather.

Still a very daft thing to do, even for someone who has travelled the world surfing.

Originally posted by 423zero Still pushing the myth, that RNLI would give you the 'Look', people wouldn't hesitate to phone for fire or ambulance.

But even though there is a fire brigade, you wouldn't leave the fire guard off at night. Taking your own precautions has to come first, and they can be as simple as using a fire guard.