Charity Events

This afternoon saw us out on a training patrol, lots of radio traffic to do with missing swimmers over at the British Heart Foundation's charity swim in Bournemouth. At one point it appeared that nine persons were unaccounted for, but it quickly became apparent that despite swimmers signing in after the event the numbers did not tally, hence the problem. Three lifeboats and a helicopter worked for nearly two hours in this search.

Yesterday there was a similar charity type incident with a sponsored paddle-boarder who was paddling from Lulworth to Studland. He was two hours overdue at the half way point and his worried mum and dad phoned the Coastguard to raise concerns. Two rescue teams (Swanage and Kimmeridge) and the Swanage ILB (RNLI) were dispatched to try and account for the chap. After a frantic search he was found near Durlston. He looked tired and kept falling in hence the request for the lifeboat to attend. After assessment by the RNLI crew the gentleman opted to carry on. Sadly we did not get the opportunity to talk to him about the lack of lifejacket, water, sunscreen or VHF radio.

Here's the controversial bit, and it's my personal view not that of HM Coastguard.

I reckon that the amount of money raised for genuine good courses by both events is great. But at what cost? i.e. The amount spent by the RNLI (A charity) and HMCoastguard (your taxes) in attending these rescues, both of which could easy be avoided with proper planning.