Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu to think that RNLI shouldn't launch.....

178 replies

AJPTaylor · 10/02/2020 08:26

I live in East Sussex. Yesterday our local lifeboat launched in the middle of the worst storm in years for a feckin idiot surfer who chose to throw himself into the sea in search of a thrill.
You have probably seen the footage of the lifeboat being thrown on it's side at launch.
Or should there be a feckin idiot surcharge?

OP posts:
FickleTickle · 10/02/2020 08:29

Afaik they won't even reprimand him because they don't want anyone to hesitate before calling for help.

Boom45 · 10/02/2020 08:30

Life saving services don't make judgements about the worthiness of the lives they save. Quite rightly.

GiveHerHellFromUs · 10/02/2020 08:32

So do you think they shouldn't send an ambulance for a drink driver who's hit a tree?

squashyhat · 10/02/2020 08:33

One can only hope he is suitably grateful and gives them a huge donation. Idiot.

littlemeitslyn · 10/02/2020 08:33

Stupid comment

Grandmi · 10/02/2020 08:34

Yes I definitely think it should have been launched ...;that was someone silly child but a life nevertheless!! A hefty fine would be a better deterrent!!

tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 10/02/2020 08:35

I agree with both previous posters OP however this individual is an absolute entitled dick and if they were a relative/friend of mine I would rip them a new one.

CaptainMyCaptain · 10/02/2020 08:35

The idiot who dived off a bridge into the Thames and filmed it on YouTube had to be rescued by a lifeboat (apparently the Thames ones are the busiest). He made a large donation so hopefully this idiot will too.

AhoyMrBeaver · 10/02/2020 08:35

Idiots need help in all sorts of ways every day. They can't thin the herd by choosing not to bother with the most spectacularly stupid.

I hope this particular idiot makes a very generous donation to the RNLI though.

cologne4711 · 10/02/2020 08:35

So do you think they shouldn't send an ambulance for a drink driver who's hit a tree

Ambulance driver probably isn't in danger and gets paid to deal with idiots.

The RNLI are volunteers who put themselves in great danger to save stupid peoples' lives.

Agree with the idiot surcharge idea.

Spam88 · 10/02/2020 08:35

I assume they have the choice not to attempt to rescue if they think the risk to their own lives is too great, just as firefighters can refuse to enter a burning building.

BlackHillsofDakota · 10/02/2020 08:35

We live locally too and had the same discussion but came to the conclusion as those on here have already said. It's the same as drunk people calling ambulances and you tubers getting microwaves stuck on their head, they are idiots but the emergency services should still go out to them.

lidoshuffle · 10/02/2020 08:36

These are volunteers putting their own lives in danger so it's not comparable to sending an ambulance to a road traffic accident.

ukgift2016 · 10/02/2020 08:37

I am in East Sussex and I felt angry at what happend yesterday too.

My thinking was more along the way of the man should be fined for his pure stupidity and putting other lives at risk.

popcorndiva · 10/02/2020 08:38

I think the Op's point was they put their own lives at risk to save his. An ambulance going to a drunk driver is not the same. Do you risk another person's life so you can have an adrenaline kick

Lockheart · 10/02/2020 08:40

So your suggestion is to leave them to drown?

It's a bloody stupid idea. At the time of launch you're in such a rush you have no idea if it's a genuine accident or something which can easily have been prevented. The lifeboat can't hold on until it's been determined whether or not they are "worthy" of being rescued. What an idiotic concept.

TitchyP · 10/02/2020 08:41

Anyone who actively ignores safety warnings and goes in the sea when is is clearly dangerous to do so should be fined, I think. It would hopefully act as a deterrent but sadly there will always be idiots.
Perhaps a shift on a lifeboat would make them think differently.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 10/02/2020 08:43

Quite frankly, I think the surfer should be paraded through the streets in his board shorts with people donating to the RNLI for the privilege of lobbing custard pies at him for his stupidity.

People don’t seem to understand how dangerous the sea is.

ShatnersWig · 10/02/2020 08:44

So your suggestion is to leave them to drown?

Why not? Leave them to the consequences of their idiot actions. Have you seen the video of the lifeboat almost capsize on their way to try and help some moron who thought it sensible to go out with a surfboard in those conditions? These are VOLUNTEERS risking their own lives for a moron.

KindKylie · 10/02/2020 08:45

Ambulance driver probably isn't in danger and gets paid to deal with idiots

That's a pretty disrespectful sentence. I get the differences you were trying to point out but paramedics (not 'drivers' ) have to put themselves at huge risk attending to accidents in the dark - in the elements, beside a busy road with unstable trees/power lines/car parts, tending to someone who may be violent or unpredictable. Their pay does not in any way reflect what they do and they frequently have to miss breaks or work beyond their shift times to finish jobs in the interests of their patients. They have no say to what they get sent to at all. We shouldn't be dismissive of their courage.

HeronLanyon · 10/02/2020 08:45

I agree with the idea of a fine but it would be impossible to enforce when warnings triggering an offence situation were not seen etc. Trying to think of comparable situation where perfectly lawful activity becomes unlawful depending on temporary situation. State of emergency/riot act/curfew during military uprising are the closest I can get. Not sure south coast storm Ciara is in that category !
What an absolute tosser he was though. Know many surfers and understand the ‘thrill’ element but this was just madness and put volunteers’ own lives at risk.

Lordfrontpaw · 10/02/2020 08:46

The can’t choose who they go to help. Hopefully this hitting the news will make people think twice before doing something so reckless.

missfliss · 10/02/2020 08:47

So how do you propose the emergency services 'screen' at source those call outs that are worthy enough for you?

Risible idea.

The man was an idiot agree with that though.

Ikora · 10/02/2020 08:48

I grew up by the sea and my ex BIL was a lifeboatman. They often rescue complete dickheads. It’s still a life to be saved but agree if it’s a day when there are weather warnings they should be fined. I remember watching some people attempting to canoe on a rough day. We were still kids so were just laughing at their tiger stupidity. Lots of people owned holiday homes where I grew up and had no idea how to respect the sea.

AveEldon · 10/02/2020 08:49

According to the independent he swam ashore - they launched to look for him but didn't find him
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/storm-ciara-hastings-surfer-missing-rescue-lifeboat-rnli-video-a9325986.html

Swipe left for the next trending thread