Possible salvage claims came up in comments on my tide race adventure (‘Racing a tide race’), and I thought it was worth a thread on its own, so herewith. More informed comments than mine would be very welcome.
My understanding is that the general situation is as follows. To make a successful claim, the claimant has to show that -
a) the ‘victim’ (I don’t know what the proper term is) and/or his/her vessel was in danger;
b) control of the vessel had been relinquished to the claimant. In practice this would probably mean boarding the vessel and taking the helm. (Is simply coming aboard, eg to attach a towing line, sufficient?)
On the RNLI and salvage I can supply definitive information, because I wrote to them about it a few years ago, and got quite a detailed reply. I explained to them that my father (who was taught to sail in the 1920s, as a student, by Frank Carr, the owner of the famous ‘Cariad’ and chronicler of, among other traditional craft, Thames barges) had an ambivalent attitude to the RNLI, apparently because of a salvage episode involving himself or someone else (Frank Carr?). I have no idea what happened.
The reply did not give a ‘never’ but implied that, had something of the sort ever occurred, it was a very long time ago. However the present situation is clear, and is as follows -
a) The RNLI would never, under any circumstances whatsoever, support or condone any attempt to make a salvage claim by anyone acting on their behalf or using their equipment. It is regarded as completely incompatible with the Institution’s ethos, and, they believe, of that of all their crews members.
b) However should a crew ever decide to pursue such a claim, they as individuals would first have retrospectively to hire the lifeboat concerned, and all its equipment, from the RNLI for the duration of the relevant ‘shout’, thus making clear the RNLI’s distancing itself completely from the attempted claim. (My informant didn’t say this, but obviously they could make the hire fee as steep as they like: and certainly for one of the modern super-lifeboats, for example, it would have to be £*****s!)
c) The ‘renegade’ crew would receive no assistance of any kind (eg legal support) from the RNLI in pursuit of a salvage claim.
d) The persons concerned would thereby terminate any further involvement by themselves in any activities of the RNLI.
That seems pretty clear. (What about independent lifeboats?? That introduces yet another topic! - I believe there are some, but have never understood why there are any, given the overall excellence of the RNLI, and the high costs involved. Presumably local history explains. Does anyone have any experience of, or information about any of these?)
I’m just sorry that my Dad went to heaven before I had a chance to clarify all this with him.
Apart from his hang-up, whatever it was, the RNLI would have appealed to him 100%. Indeed, had he had the chance (living by the sea etc) I think he would have volunteered, and distinguished himself.
Michael Rogers
