Monday 30 April 2007

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)

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ahha Thanks for that just a silly little question that I have always wondered about. I was sure the answer would be something along those lines of common sense!

I really ought to sign up and avoid being anon all the time!

lifeboatjohn said...

Sorry for appearing rude for not replying to your comment yesterday, decided halfway through that my answer would make a reasonable post in itself.......

Cheers

John

Anonymous said...

Not a problem in the slighest, still got the answer!!

Thanks again

Martin

Anonymous said...

Cheers for the invite. I would have supplied my own burgers.