Re: Traditional Yachtsmen

"Goofball_star_dot_etal" <who@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:tohri156449p22ke0lpe6algmtso3nh18t@xxxxxxxxxx
> On Sun, 18 Sep 2005 19:19:29 GMT, Ronald Raygun
> <no.spam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>>Goofball_star_dot_etal wrote:
>>
>>> "The direct costs of launching a lifeboat are relatively small
>>> (service payments and fuel)." http://lifeboats.tv/home/thernli.php
>>>
>>> The direct cost of launching a lifeboat is relatively small since the
>>> crew receive a few pounds expenses for a call out and the only other
>>> cost is the fuel. http://www.destination-cornwall.co.uk/rnli.htm
>>>
>>> The direct costs of launching a lifeboat are relatively small (service
>>> payments and fuel).
>>> http://www.cullercoatslifeboat.org.uk/What%20is%20the%20rnli.htm
>>>
>>> Give in?
>>
>>Whom are you asking? Not me, I hope,
>
> Of course *you* but specifically on the zero crew cost issue. (which I
> note was not corrected by Graham)
>

Many bits I don't feel qualified to answer on as I don't have factual info.
It is I agree frustrating that launch costs are arrived at by dividing the
total cost by the number of launches which, obviously can't reflect the true
cost of an individual shout.

One often overlooked point to consider is that a call out which keeps the
crew "current", can sometimes save the cost of a training run, also several
rescues have taken place whilst already out on training runs. Therefore,
whilst any launch costs money in terms of fuel and maintenance, does that
call out actually cost anything as far as the rescue is concerned?

For those who don't receive a copy of "the Lifeboat", the following figures
are published in the current issue - 7,507 rescued in 2004, on average 21
people every day. Lifeboats launched a total of 7,656 times. 52% to
leisure craft, 27% to non-craft (walkers & swimmers) 13% commercial &
fishing vessels and 8% to "others".

We can scrutinise the figures endlessly and all reach different conclusions.
All I ask is that people don't treat the RNLI as a "get you home" service.
If only one foot is in the ***, drop the anchor and see if the problem can
be sorted or, see if someone else can tow you in. The coastguard will, on
request, put out a call to see if anyone can assist you. However, IF the
*** is fast approaching your neck and there's no other option then put out
a mayday without delay.

Graham.

> You wrote:
>
> "Which is usually approximately zero, given that the crews are
> either unpaid volunteers or full-time paid irrespective of shouts"
>
> and:
>
> "Let's listen to the horse's mouth:" etc.
>
> I guess the RNLI has spin doctors.
>
>
> since you seem to be vehemently
>>agreeing with me. My position was and is that the direct cost of
>>launching is negligible, since the (substantial) costs of running the
>>service are more or less fixed and independent of the number of
>>launches.
>>
>>If the question ever did arise whether to charge rescuees for the cost
>>of their rescue, there would be no real justification to charge the
>>"average" cost, only the direct cost
>>
> I am against any charge, acting as police (or having to carry guns in
> flooded cities)



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