CLOSURE OF TEESMOUTH LIFEBOAT STATION

[TC]

I\'ve put this in both the Shore Fishing and Boat Fishing forums.



Anybody got any views on this?????

Listening to RNLI operations director, Michael Vlasto on the local news tonight.......I wasn\'t convinced by him at all. He said that the decision wasn\'t based on \"financial\" issues - but on an \"over provision of service\".

How can you have an \"over provision\" of something which saves lives??

It was reported that, in a move to retain the boat, the Port Authorities had offered to construct a purpose made, free, berth for the lifeboat. It was also reported that the RNLI had turned down the offer saying that the berth didn\'t match their standards - however, the person being interviwed stated that the plans for the berth hadn\'t even been drawn up ........how did the RNLI know that it wouldn\'t \"match their standards\"??

The RNLI are quoted as saying that, \"there was more lifeboat cover in the Tees Bay area, including two all-weather lifeboats, than other parts of the UK and it had to make the most effective use of resources.

So......if the decision to remove the RNLI cover from Teesmouth wasn\'t made on \"financial\", but \"over provision\" grounds - can we expect to see the RNLI setting up a new station, complete with a new all weather boat in one of these \"other parts of the country\"............I think not.........given their recent record in the North East.

With the increased amount of water-related activities taking part around our shores, surely, they should be looking to EXPAND their service provision - not reduce it.

OK - so the newer boats can cover greater distances in shorter times - GREAT......but use them as an addition to existing services to provide even greater cover - don\'t use them as an excuse to deplete the existing cover.
It\'s not as if they can\'t afford it........the latest complete figures for the RNLI come from December 2004 and show that they had an income of £117.3 million. They also had a Reserve Fund of £481 million.




[Edited on 12/4/2006 by TC]

[SIXFOOTSTEVE]

I watched it as well Tony , reading between the lines or maybe a gut feeling ...of course it\'s financially motivated , I can\'t remember the quoted figure but they\'ll save loads and if even ONE life is lost because of this it simply CAN\'T be worth taking this all weather boat out of service.

[TC]

Think they quoted 25 rescues last year, Steve.

Note: - I think I\'ve added a bit more to my opening post since you read it, Steve......the £££££ bit.

[gazzawill]

like steve just said its the lives ( hopefully wont happen) the boat could save, iff its not there well i think you know the outcome . come on R.N.L.I you could cost a life or mabey live\'s

[SIXFOOTSTEVE]

Tony I had no idea the income was so high ,I knew it would be fairly large but with a reserve like that it\'s more than healthy.

[TC]

Going on the Dec 2004 figures, they were the 12th richest registered charity in the UK Regarding their expenditure for the same period though, they were 23rd.
Seems they like to recieve the money, but are a a bit tight when it comes to using it.

[fishfinder]

You would hope they had thought it through and had adequate cover for all areas!!! as previously stated no life is worth being lost over penny pinching.
Will this effect our stance with them as our chosen charity Tony or do they still have our full support.

[johnf]

Chances are Mr. Vlasto is an accountant, or the RNLI is being run by accountants. It certainly wouldn\'t give me much confidence if I was a small boat owner in the Tees bay area.

[TC]

In 2004, the RNLI spent many thousands of donated pounds in building a complete new station facility at Teesmouth.

It was said at the time of the new facility opening that:

\"The building which will replace the current crew accommodation is a three story development, and will provide extensive facilities which are in keeping with the RNLI\'s standards for a modern All Weather Lifeboat Station.\"

So much for the \"in keeping with the RNLI\'s standards for a modern All Weather Lifeboat Station\".

Regarding the stations\' closure,Mr Vlasto is also quoted as saying,

\"This decision has not been taken lightly, but it is essential that we continue to review the service that the RNLI provides to ensure we can meet the changing demands made upon it by sea users today and in the future.\"

Such a pity they hadn\'t thought about that BEFORE spending many thousands of donated pounds on a brand spanking new facility only to decide to close it down a couple of years later.

With such financial and resource management, can we REALLY have faith in how the big-wigs at the RNLI will spend the money we try so hard to raise????

[Edited on 12/4/2006 by TC]

[SIXFOOTSTEVE]

That\'s a fair point Tony ,I wonder if it\'s worth letting our feelings known by letter .

[fishfinder]

I think thats an excellent idea steve.I think the rnli is still a very worth while cause but I think the numpties up top need ousting before I will be putting anymore effort into raising funds for them.
Seems such a waste of time and effort over the last couple of years.
To open somewhere in 2004 and to close it in 2006

[Mike.Haley]

Lets just make sure all our funds we raise go to local RNLI stations and not the national fund. I agree with Steve, we should let our feelings on this matter be known.

[alan]

Shocking news but they wont reverse the decision,its run by fat cats like most charities

[MikeR]

Good job they\'ve got the museum, because at this rate it\'ll be the only place you get to see a lifeboat!

[peter.m]

Because of what we do and even before that I always thought that the RNLI was a very worthy charity. The boys that do the work probably are.

However I am lead to believe that the director came from the ambulance service where he made a hash of things. Believe he brought a deputy and takes a salary of around £300k. Might have got things slightly wrong but when did we ever hear of anything other than lifeboats being upgraded where necessary and the outgoing boat being moved to upgrade a smaller station.

With the income Tony has quoted you would think there is no need for pruning of a charity. I appreciate if it is business then other factors take over and even charities need prudence to use funds properly.

Makes you consider what we are raising money for.