Jon Jones, The Lifeboat's editorial assistant, looks at the work of George Rawlinson, Divisional Inspector {Dl) of lifeboats for the South .

The title 'inspector' had always caused me to form a mental image in my head of someone looking very stern, wearing a uniform and wielding a notebook and pencil. I soon found out that this was certainly not the profile of a lifeboat Dl - inspections were just part of it...

When I first caught up with George, he had already done hours of travelling and a day's inspection at Appledore - it was now evening and a launch exercise had been arranged at Padstow lifeboat station.

The boathouse, which lies at the bottom of 100ft cliffs on Trevose Head, operates a slipway launched Tyne. After I was kitted out in wet weather gear, I hung on tightly and experienced the thrill of the lifeboat hurtling down the 240ft slip into sea. Heading seaward, conditions became pretty choppy and my camera was already getting soaked so I decided to head for cover. Down in the wheelhouse George was setting a number of tasks for the crew starting with a laser plotter exercise.

A marker buoy was thrown overboard and Coxswain Alan Tarby took the lifeboat out of visual range. A search pattern was produced using the plotter which was followed for an accurate location and recovery of the buoy. This exercise was repeated several times to let other crew members gain further experience. Next, a course was set further seaward to let other crew members have some time at the helm while George discussed the lifeboat's performance and her equipment with Alan and Mechanic John Alldridge to make sure that everything was in order.

Later, the crew performed a man overboard and stretcher recovery drill. I was offered the honour of going over, but luckily a crew member volunteered.

However, I could tell by the grin on George's face that I had just bought some time, and was going in the soup at some stage over the next few days! Picked up using the recovery net, the role-playing victim was carefully carried into a stretcher, strapped in and taken below to the survivors' area - everything was faithfully recreated except he seemed to be enjoying it all too much! The journey back to the station was quite bumpy - there was plenty of spray and my camera had certainly seen better days - sadly I was unable to get any shots of the lifeboat being recovered up the slip.

Meanwhile, back in the boathouse, an eager army of shorehelpers prepared to wash down the lifeboat before the crew meeting.

Before the crew briefing, George wrote his report, checked the accident book and any outstanding business. Thanking everyone for giving up their time for the exercise, George reported that he was very happy with how everyone 'shaped up'. He then briefed the team on the new fast slipway lifeboat (FSB 2) which will be replacing the Tyne at Padstow and advised about necessary alterations to the boathouse. Following a number of questions and suggestions from crew, everyone met up at The Ship Inn for less official discussions...

A couple of days later I met up with George and Andrew Woods, Divisional Engineer (DE) for the South, in glorious sunshine at Bude lifeboat station. When schedules allow, a Dl and DE will do a four-monthly inspection at a station at the same time - with the Dl responsible for the boat and crew and the DE for the boat's engines, launching equirnent and tractor.

George and Andrew began their inspection by checking the station's D class, boathouse and tractor from top to bottom including lifejackets, first aid kit, tool kit, flares, fire extinguisher, supplies - and practically everything else I could think of. Hours ticked by but when they were satisfied all was in order the lifeboat was launched on exercise. She was taken down a narrow ramp into the busy slipway which led from a canal lock into heavy beach surf.

Although I could not join the crew on the D class (as conditions were too rough for a landlubber such as me), I had the opportunity to take some photos from the breakwater while a number of exercises were carried out including coastal recognition and search and recovery.

When the lifeboat was returned, refuelled, washed down and re-housed George and Andrew set about their paperwork.

As it was a warm evening, the crew decided to hold their meeting in the beer garden of their local hotel and after introductions the Dl and DE reported that they were pleased with what they had seen during the day. George spoke about developments at 1., -., Bude's flank station, Clovelly, and answered any questions raised. Following discussions on local fundraising activities and finalising details on their lifeboat week, the meeting was closed and a fine evening was had by all.

My last stop with the Dl was the picturesque village of Clovelly, where RNLI links were recently restored. Following the departure of the 70ft Clyde lifeboat in 1998 the villagers raised £60,000 to run their own independent boat. Now the time was right for the RNLI to return to the station and provide an Atlantic and launch tractor.

Previously, Deputy Dl South had been liaising with Clovelly so George's first job of the day was to introduce himself to the local lifeboat officials and describe his role. In short he explained that he was there help operationally in any way he could - to make sure that they had the right tools for the job and that the station was fully effective and operational. There was much work to be done - including improvements to the Grade 2 listed boathouse and slipway, so his visits would be a little more frequent than usual until things settled.

George set about his 'top-to-bottom' inspection of the lifeboat and her equipment - and although the DE was visiting soon, everything else was given the once over.

Evening came and the lifeboat was launched on exercise. A joint exercise with helicopter followed and I was lucky enough to see the action up close thanks to Adam Garnett, son of station press officer Dan, who took me out on his fishing boat.

The lifeboat returned to pick up different crew members for a second run and I was able to go out with them. Heading for Hartland Point, the crew were asked how long it would take to reach our destination at 25 knots. This was calculated and the theory was put into practice - I'd been out on an Atlantic before but had forgotten just how exhilarating the ride could be. On arrival, the sea anchor was thrown out and the crew were given a hypothetical situation in which the lifeboat had just capsized and they were asked to talk through the righting procedures step by step. This included a practical exercise of getting out of the boat, heading round to the stern and carefully climbing back aboard through the engine section. I knew George was determined to get me overboard at some stage so I had a goat it. It wasn't as easy as I'd thoughtletting goof a line or loosing your footing in really rough weather could certainly spell trouble.

Following a few radio procedures and practicals, the crew performed some survivor recovery exercises. I did my bit by going overboard and being a 'survivor' and after a few small circuits the lifeboat pulled up and I was swiftly lifted aboard.

It was time to head back and it was a good opportunity for the other crew members to take turns at the helm. Even I had a go under the watchful eye of the Dl and senior Helmsman -1 think I gave them all a good example of how not to do it! By the time we arrived back at the boathouse it must have been getting on for around 8pm - it had been another long day for the lifeboat inspector and he still had his paperwork left to do.

As I left Clovelly for my drive back to Poole. I remembered how safe I felt in the hands of the lifeboat crew - and how safe they were in the hands of their DI.H.