George is responsible for all six divisions of the RNLI with its 233 stations. The organisation's objective is to reach 90% of casualties within 10 miles of a station within 10 minutes. Like other emergency organisations, the RNLI does not know where and when the next "big one" will occur; the crews simply have to be prepared and trained to face the unexpected in, sometimes, the most appalling weather. However, most incidents involving yachts are not caused bysevere weather: they come from poor preparation by leisure sailors and from gear failure.

A relatively small proportion of callouts to yachts( there were 1282 in 2005 of a total of 8273 shouts) occur in poor weather as can be seen from the table showing the number of callouts in different weather conditions. Similarly, less than 15% occur when the sea-state is rough or worse and 90% are in fair to better visibility.

There were 253 launches in calm conditions. George described in some detail the incident at the entrrance to Poole Harbour, renowned for its strong tidal streams, when a becalmed dinghy was swept against the side of thehain ferry that plies across the entrance. One occupant was swept right under the ferry and survivied and there was a long struggle to save others. The picture below the table shows the rescue in progress.

Fresh conditions accountyed for 169 launches. An example where the brisk conditions were a plus factopr was that of a racing yacht holed in the Solent. The skipper kept the boat on the port tack, keeping the hole above the water, until a powerful pump could be passed from a lifeboat.

Lee shores accounted for a significant fraction of th the incidents in fresh conditions. George described the fairly well-known Eastbourne rescue where the skipper of a yacht made the (understandable?) error of heading for a harbour on a lee shore in heavy weather.

272 groundings were attended. The one in the picture to the left took place on the Shingle bank next to the Needles Channel. The manoueverability and shallow draft of the inshore lifeboat brought a safe outcome.

124 fouled propellors accounted for 124 launches and most were caused by pot buoys. Bad weather mkes the buoys more difficult to see and the consequences can be much aggravated by the weather. 101 launches were put down to "adverse conditions": combinations of fatigue, wind over tide conditions, strong tides. MOB and crew injury was more frequent in good conditions.

Human factors play a large role in all of the incidents with the most significant issues being: fatigue, uncertainty, inexperience and lack of knowledge

The answers:

good passage planning
careful preparation
monitoring conditions before and during trip.
planning for contingencies and
risk assessment

Remember: the weather - it's going to happen

Summary by Geoff Meggitt and Carol Sparkes