James Bond shaken but not stirred at sea
007 and the RNLI may both serve their country in their own ways, but 007 gets paid and has the best company car going. By contrast the lifeboat service is almost entirely run by volunteers.
Daniel Craig, the latest actor to take the role as Ian Fleming's secret agent, visited Ramsgate RNLI to support the charity's fundraising campaign. The visit, which was organised by the actor himself, came at the start of the RNLI’s SOS Day campaign.
During his visit he took both the RNLI station’s Trent class lifeboat and 32 knot Atlantic 75 inshore lifeboat out for a spin. Coxswain Ian Cannon, said; “his handling of the inshore lifeboat was impressive.” Why the surprise? Bond’s been driving powerboats since the 60s!
The RNLI is a registered charity that receives no UK Government funding. Their annual running costs are approximately ÂŁ335,000 per day despite the fact that 95 per cent of their staff and crews are volunteers.
Craig said he was supporting them because: 'The tireless, unassuming, and above all brave work that the RNLI volunteers undertake everyday makes me proud and honoured to be associated with them. Please help them do their job - support your local lifeboat.'
24/01/2008 10:19:55