'Sir, is it true you're a lifeguard'..............

is a question I get asked a lot. It's hard to believe,but, amongst the school going fraternity, there is a lot of confusion about exactly who does what when it comes to saving lives in or on water. Even in a school full of well educated young blighters with a lifeboatman on the staff, there is still a palpable air of confusion about the difference between a Coastguard, lifeboat-crewmember and a pool attendant.

What got me thinking about this was an e-mail I got today (via Dave T) from Michael Vlasto. Now, I'm not exactly sure what Mr Vlasto does in the RNLI, but I have my suspicions that he is a good deal further up the food chain that I am. Indeed, I couldn't help noticing that he has a short biography on the RNLI website and I don't. Suspicions confirmed. Anyway, said e-mail brought our attention to the fact that the MCA are in the throws of an imminent strike. It also raised a concern that the public (and the press) had got a bit confused about the whole thing, added 2 and 2 and got 5 and come to the conclusion that this meant that the lifeboats were going to strike. Not surprisingly HQ are worried that this (incorrect) notion might damage our reputation and fundraising efforts. Hence they also issued a press release. Oddly I didn't get copy of this but this website were kind enough to publish it verbatim.

Naturally Mr Vlasto was also worried about the possibility of idiots like myself spouting off to the media about the potential strike. He took pains to point out that we should refrain from talking to the media and refer them to our Divisional Media Relations Manager:

"The MCA have advised us that they are developing contingency plans to ensure that the vital communications chain to alert our lifeboat crews will be safeguarded; liaison at the highest level is ongoing in this respect. Clearly comment on the implications of strike action is a headquarters responsibility and therefore any request for comment on MCA strike action is to be referred to your DMRM, HQ PR Office or the Duty Press Officer in Poole until further notice."

And I don't blame him. Indeed, I'm mightily glad that we have people like Michael to foresee these problems and forewarn us. The RNLI does have a tremendous and well deserved reputation which it does (and rightly so) protect very carefully. Long may this continue.