Cambeltown Lifeboat. RNLB ERNEST AND MARY SHAW + 2 PiPs

She's a beast at 25knots and in a beautiful setting there in harbour.

The biggest boat in the fleet. I have added two PiPs, one showing the small inshore lifeboat too. The flag on the station was at half mast that day. I think it was because there was a drowning in the loch the day before.

beautiful compo, love the landscape on background too !

Many thanks, Nora. The people who man these boats are all volunteers, and risk their lives for others who get into difficulties at sea.

Very fine coastal scene. There is something really awesome yet comforting about a Lifeboat!

The comforting aspect is very important I think, Cheryl. I love being by the sea, but it can be so unexpectedly dangerous. There was a drowsing in this loch the day before.

Lovely shot Ameila. Great perspective and nice light falling the the distant hills and buildings.

This was our one good day of weather when we were in Scotland, Doug. Campbeltown is a nice wee place, and this area in particular was very interesting.

Excellent composition and a lovely capture Amelia.
I really like Campbeltown and Kintyre in general

This was out first visit to Kintyre, Roger, and we both loved it, even when the weather was less than perfect.

If you do return to Kintyre , take the ferry from Tarbert to the Cowel Peninsula it's a wonderful day out.

A smashing image Amelia............nicely composed in lovely light.

Thanks, Keith. The weather got even better as the day went on, and eventually the sky was wall to wall blue. The next day was dire! ;-)

Lovely photo, of this beautiful boat, Amelia. The inf. is most interesting... John.

The RNLI is a fantastic organszation, John. Have you been watching the BBC programme, "Saving lives at Sea?" It makes one realise just how brave some of the volunteers are.

Bien vu

Thank you, Boro.

Wow, eine exzellente Aufnahme mit einer wunderschönen Landschaft im Hintergrund. Schöne Schärfe und ein passender Schnitt. SUPER!! und danke für die Informationen zum Boot. ***** Gruß Uwe

I don't know if I'm correct in saying that the UK is the only country that has a fleet of lifeboats with volunteers at the ready at all times to risk their lives to save others, Uwe. We always give money to the RNLI as its such an important charity.

I think the Norwegians have something similar, inspired by the RNLI. Apart from lots of volonteers they also employ some professionals though.

well done.
Love the background, too.

Yes, the background scenery is rather lovely here too.

Great image, it must have been a Very generous gift to fund that

I don't know just how much this premium lifeboat would have cost, Peter. A pretty penny I expect. If the family were locals they probably had a very good idea of just how important the work of the RNLI is.

Wonderful! My only continuing charity donation in the UK is for RNLI. I know it has a lot of cash from the likes of me who have a sentimental attachment to it (I knew one of the Penlee lifeboat crew from the 1981 Mousehole disaster) but I will always support it.

Yes I remember that terrible disaster, Andy. 16 lives lost in atrocious weather conditions.. Even in calm seas there can be lots of dangers, and the RNLI never shirks their duty.

RNLI... always humbling.

Like Andy.. I still have two causes there.. RNLI and Hearing Dogs for the Deaf.

We also support the RNLI, Pam as well as the British Legion, and Action on Hearing Loss. It's interesting that you support Hearing Dogs for the Deaf. Having fairly recently become almost totally deaf, I realise what an important sense I have lost.

Amelia....

My Dad had hearing damage from WWII and lip read more than he would ever admit. I got used as a child to facing him when I spoke (i stil face peole now and make eye contact) ... or not to speak if the radio was on unless I faced him. I also as I have go older discovered a directional problem for myself... I simply cannot differentiate the sounds if someone is walking away from me . I was a prem baby and have one or three classic "prem baby" glitches but have always been able to compensate. It just gets harder as you get older.

That all said.. it gave me a reason years ago to support the Hearing Dogs.

My Dad use used to say people had all the time in the world for those who are blind... but they treat the deaf like dumb fools. Its sadly true.

The problem is that deafness is not an obvious disability, Pam. In company I cannot follow conversations easily, often interrupt when I think people have stopped talking, catch onto a theme only to find puzzled looks on folks faces when I have totally misheard the conversation, and often sit in silence with a bemused rictus grin on my face. No wonder folks take me for a fool. It can be funny though, and I don't lie awake wishing a certain someone would stop snoring. One has to laugh, but I must admit that I have had two bouts of uncontrollable sobbing in the last 7 years.

Luckily we can afford to buy aids such as a loop system for the TV and the telephone, a vibrating alarm clock that goes under my pillow and a similar device which acts as a smoke detector. That was one of the Christmases that my better half came into his own. He loves practical presents. ;-)

Amelia...
Just know there are many people out in the world who really do understand. You always know where to find me.

I have chronic pain.. have lived with it starting when I was 12 (I am now nearly 63) after a botched op. More botched ops and artificial joints in hands and leg and more needed ) made it what it is. I was told at 12 I would be in a wheelchair by the time I was 21. At 21 I started to work ride race horses just to spite the world !! Most of my life has been spent proving the doc's wrong... despite it costing me agony often.... and done with a bloodyminded smile on my face.

Oh but... I do so well know the bad days when you just crawl into a hole and cry. I actually think the tears are a washing out.. a healing.. though at the time ... its devastating.

So.. just know... people care.

HUGSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Wiki put the cost at £2 million

Good grief, Peter, that's a really hefty sum of money. I wonder if some of the money came from donations?

The RNLI funds investment, (mainly Boats and Buildings) and operating costs (like fuel, equipment, training) from a number of sources. These include general and project specific donations, legacies plus activities such as sales (from ex-lifeboats down to Christmas cards and "pocket money souvenirs). But almost nothing directly from the government (apart from "Gift Aid", I think).
I have two main avenues for contributions, one is to place and maintain (empty !) the collecting boxes in my area of North East England. The other is heavy involvement with "William Riley" a restored "pulling" lifeboat. (10 oars, no sails nor engine)
In the past decade my fundraising is in the region of £37,000 plus about £250,000 from the "William Riley" (not that I have personally been involved in every event).