TIMOTHY OADE, of Dartmouth, writes:

As a life-long supporter of the RNLI, it seems to me inappropriate to launch the Dartmouth inshore lifeboat to attend to matters more correctly the responsibility of Dart Harbour and Navigation Authority.

Were lives at risk? I don't think so. It seems there was only one DHNA rib on duty to patrol – in spite of long-foretold warnings of near hurricane winds in the river and possible consequential damage.

We suffered three such blows in December and it seems DHNA organisation has been found wanting. In the absence of senior members of Dart Harbour to take charge of matters, we understand someone less senior took the decision to contact the authorities – well done - that man!

Where were the senior members of staff and were they on duty in such extreme conditions? If there was, indeed, only one rib to patrol the whole of the river in such weather and in the light of subsequent events, I feel sure the RNLI and HM Coastguard will want to ask some searching questions of DHNA. T

The RNLI is there to save lives – not to come to the aid of a poorly performing and complacent harbour authority who should learn to do 'what it says on the tin'.