Urrgh!!. As current RNLI crew, i read this after having my dinner and have just relived my experience at the training college last August. The sea survival course is sadistic ( in a jovial sort of way) but essential as it gives a good insight to what can happen when it all goes wrong and why everyone onboard any vessel should be well trained. Training facilities at Poole excellent for what crews take part in. Twas like being there again through the guys eyes and can sympathise with him regarding being inside the life-raft in darkness. Its hard to move and orientate oneself and the moment 'hughie' (seasickness) introduces himself, thing go downhill rapidly.
Trying to explain sea sickness to er indoors is hard. No matter how well you explain it, you can never really explain it properly but, I always go back.
Why? I Haven't a clue. I just enjoy it, well, bits of it. (Read above
) The feeling of possibly having done something good with my life gives me an inner sense of achievement. I've seen quite a lot over my 18 years in the rescue services (5 as RNLI, 13 as Coastie) some harsh, some funny and some just bewildering
My only fear is that someday, government may gain inroad to the financial side of the RNLI, God help us if the do because it will be the downfall of RNLI. I've seen it happen in the CG so if you have a few spare coppers, chuck em in an RlI bucket near you.
Dec
