Who needs the RNLI?

Those of us who race are protected by a flotilla of safety boats. Dinghy cruisers always check the forecast and never go out in anything over F4. So dinghy sailors don’t need to worry too much about the Royal National Lifeboat Institution because they won’t need it. Right?
I’ll come clean straight away. A lifeboat has assisted me when I pushed matters a little too far, late one winter’s afternoon. My GP14 capsized in strengthening conditions and could not recover because the waves continually swamped the semi-submerged hull. The lifeboat provided a vital lee while I bailed out and got going again.

During 1998 there were 237 reported incidents involving dinghies and 198 dinghy sailors lives were saved. On the afternoon of 3rd January 1999, the annual ‘Brass Monkeys’ race off Leigh was hit by rapidly deteriorating weather conditions. All participants capsized or were sinking and the safety boats were completely overwhelmed. Three inshore lifeboats launched with all speed, despite the fact that the Force 9 conditions were well beyond their official operational capability.
No other help was available to the many dinghy sailors who were in the water, up to 1.5 miles from land. The wind was so strong that several abandoned craft off the pier were seen to roll over and over as the wind caught their centreboards while upturned, uprighted them, then knocked them down again as it caught their sails and rigging. The lifeboat crews were in action for five hours, at great personal risk. During that time they saved the lives of 31 dinghy sailors and rescued many of their craft.

0n 2nd June 1999, 73 Darts capsized in Weymouth Bay, throwing 146 people into the water. The lifeboat launched within six minutes of the call out and was at the scene eight minutes later, in time to save 12 racing dinghy sailors.

Offshore was developed in response to RNLI supporters who were concerned that those who might one day need to call on the lifeboat service were not supporting the volunteer crews to any greater extent than those who never went near the sea. The figures backed them up. Only 25% of the RNLI’s regular supporters were sea goers; yet most sailors would claim to support the RNLI.
This is usually through spontaneous donations via the collection box. They are unaware that income from this source comprises only 2% of the £80m that is required annually to provide them with this level of service. The RNLI needs regular, committed giving to be able to plan with confidence.

Offshore membership allows sailors to support the lifeboat crews at an appropriate level. Apart from the personal satisfaction of knowing that they are doing their bit, Offshore members receive the latest sea safety information, their own triannual newsletter, Offshore News, as well as the quarterly Lifeboat Magazine. They also receive special offers from quality marine suppliers, such as discounted marine insurance, paint, chandlery and clothing. All this for as little as £4 per month.

So far, more than 28,500 sailors have joined Offshore. I hope that my fellow dinghy sailors will join this growing navy of lifeboat supporters. And that, unlike me, they will never need to call out a lifeboat!

To join Offshore, telephone Sue Portsmouth on 0800 543210

By David Brann

RNLI Web Site

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