Life boat school in Liverpool

[albertliss1935]

Can any one remember the life boat school in the salt house dock in Liverpoo in the 1950s we used to spend a week on the course and at the end of the week you would be tested and if you past you would get your life boat certifate which you had to have to go from ordinary seaman to EDH We all had to take turns at being coswain of the life boat. the examiner had already failed 2 coswains so when my turn came I was a nervous wreck I had just taken the tiller of the life boat a bundle of nerves. when a docker crossing over the bridge shouted hey cox let go of the starboard anchor. with that every one burst out laughing and it settled me down and I went on and past. happy days

[Ron Hamilton]

Hi Albert, I remember it well & the cranky old character in charge who I believe was a retired skipper , on one occasion he failed the skipper of the Arklow Lifeboat if I recall correctly & because I was a bit 'cheeky with him he failed me too ! but it never affected my career in any way & I know I was proficient in boat handling . Ron

[wilky]

I did the weeks coarse there in the 60s cant remember much about it though apart from passing the exam.

[Glyn Jones]

Did the course on the 5th Nov 1962, Certificate No 175913 issued by the Mercantile Marine Office, Cornhill , Liverpool, and I've still got it!

[john sutton]

went on the course and got ticketed 15 march 54.It amazed me in later years that when I took up boating as a pastime I knew nothing about boat handling and I was happy that I never had to use my ticket in a real life situation at sea.But i did have a good week off(with pay I believe)
john sutton

[jimmys]

I did a lifeboat course in Birkenhead in my Blue Flu time I think it was in Bidstone Dock. I think about 1965. I am not sure who run the course but Cadets used it quite a lot. Used to see them in the boats. No engines in the engineers boat, get them sails up and row at the same time. The sails were like a bundle of wet knitting.

regards
jimmy