We are sober men and true!

So what happens when lifeboat crewmembers drink?

Well, here in Swanage our rules are simple:

If you want to drink do, however, only turn up for a shout if you are legally able to drive a car. On an average weekend some of the crew will go out, some will have too much. We don't plan for this, luckily we have a large enough crew to absorb 'no shows'. Only on rare occasions such as the evening do's over lifeboat week and our annual Christmas party will we nominate a crew who must not drink, some folk are not big drinkers so don't mind volunteering for this, others just take a turn. Only Dave, our erstwhile mechanic must regularly stay sober out of duty.

We sail the ocean blue,
And our saucy ship's a beauty;
We're sober men and true,
And attentive to our duty.
When the balls whistle free
O'er the bright blue sea,
We stand to our guns all day;
When at anchor we ride
On the Portsmouth tide,
We have plenty of time to play.
(Gilbert & Sullivan)