Becky
regular
Reged: 10/11/2003
Posts: 2039
Loc: Hampshire
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Well, you asked!
For me it was excellent. The first change I noticed was the aspect of the presentations; from the point of view of our prospective rescuers. This was different from the previous courses/meetings I have attended, where a pundit told us what they would do in dangerous situations. The Lifeboat crews have, it seems, seen it all; yachtsmen at there worst, either through silliness, inexperience or unforeseen occurrences.
I agree with some of the points made by Crabber in the above post, in particular that some of the subjects could have been described as a bit elementary. But I usually found that there was something new for me to consider. The discussion on equipment was a case in point- we all had our own opinions on the safety aspects of the scenarios presented. But they were all real situations, and it was very interesting for me when the actual responses were given.
There was a discussion about liferafts, and the point was made that women cannot easily lift them, or actually deploy them. Of course, what one could manage when one's life is at stake is another thing, but it made me think about where we would mount ours, something we are just about to do.
Highlights; there were many. The simulator was great fun. It was a representation of a Severn-class lifeboat, and tearing around at 25 knots was great when you knew you couldn't harm anything. The liferafts in the pool, and the simulation of rough water, darkness and thunder and lightening was great. Quite realistic enough for me. The chance to actually climb into a liferaft fully kitted out in sailing oilskins was worth a lot. So too was the chance to let off flares, not something I had done before.
The hotel side of things was very very good. The catering was excellent, and the rooms spacious and clean. All in all, I thought it was a very good course, and good value for money.
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See my Flickr account, www.flickr.com/photos/BeckyH1
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Dick_Everitt
PBO assistant editor
Reged: 17/05/2004
Posts: 2
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I'm glad you enjoyed it. But it was very difficult to know where to pitch the instruction level, as we had a complete cross-section of sailors, ranging from ocean cruisers to complete beginners. So we relied entirely on the expertise of the RNLI Sea Safety advisors, who carry out similar sorts of events around the country. On the whole everyone had a good time and learnt something. PBO's team was there to find out what people thought, and the same scenarios kept cropping up. Many of the women admitted that they were not quite sure that they, or their partner, could actually lift their liferaft over the rail, and some found firing flares very difficult. Other people, new to sailing, were just unfamiliar with some of the safety equipment, but this was balanced by a large proportion of very experienced sailors – who just wanted an update from the experts.
An event like this brings home the need for everyone to get some hands-on experience but it would not have been possible without the help of dozens of volunteers and the trade who provided the demonstration equipment – THANKS!
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crabber28
new user
Reged: 17/03/2005
Posts: 2
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I second the thanks to the volunteers and trade suppliers - each and every
one of them! But where are the rest of the posts, surely there aren't only
the two of us who thought it was a good weekend? It still provokes thoughts
at odd times of the day and night, mainly trying to work out a way of
accepting a tow without taking a chainsaw to my bowsprit..............
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MichaelCrawfordHick
new user
Reged: 16/03/2005
Posts: 5
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I was taking the photos for the RNLI, and I learned a lot, got some great shots for the RNLI hope to see them in a RNLI publication soon, but the hostpitality, food etc was brilliant. Main point I saw was all the smiling faces of the attendees, which was a change compared to some courses I have been on.
Thanks to the RNLI, support staff etc for a great weekend
Michael Crawford-Hick
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