Not Italian ones I hope.

well perhaps this sums it up ......
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct...B2rDgfTVO6xKVw

I have been present for a couple of actions by the RN in assisting in evacuations and emergencies and believe me anything from the FCO is usually too little and too late. They have little knowledge and experience of real life, operate on outdated and outmoded information pulled out of a dusty cardboard box.
Because an RN frigate may weigh 3,000tons and has a crew of 250 it doesnt mean there is plenty of space to squeeze non-productive people. Even the food held onboard is subject to carefully planned replenishment cycles based on the normal complement. RFA ships providing the at sea replenishment have been reduced drastically over the years, generally become more and more "general" capability rather than specialised and this reduces the overall capability of the team.

the number of people actually picked up by the RN from Northern Spain due to volcanic dust was miniscule, they only had a couple of ships available and it seems to be a big waste of money to send even one to pick up 75 to 100 peeps for a day trip to Plymouth.
most of the problems were caused by
a) people panicking, they were due to fly on Sunday and had to be back at work on Monday, any problems with their personal itinerarey was not allowed for
b) the airlines denied their responsibilities - RYA are still fighting this in the EU courts I believe.
c) the alternatives to air travel were inundated, not just from UK citizens but other EU nationals

why is it that as soon as there is a little crisis for 5 mins that everyone starts looking at the Armed Forces to pull them out of hole, when they have all voted for to reduce Armed Forces expenditure.

talk about turkeys and christmas................

Hmm. Having a googly again I don't doubt you would find loads of stuff similar. They can never please everybody and there are always jumped up experts who think they can do better. My opinion is that they shouldn't waste resources rescuing ex-pats who have left of their own free will. Provide passport service/advice and emergency money and let them piss off!

I know a lot about the FCO and sometimes they work in difficult and dangerous conditions. They have an open day once a year perhaps you should visit.

Oh, you mean like the ones that work for UK firms tax free in dangerous countries, get kidnapped and the gov spend a fortune getting them back to the UK.

Well as the UK can't even get it's trains to run on time and not at all if it's the wrong kind of snow or leaves on the track, I wouldn't hold out much hope of a rescue...not that I would want rescuing!

Anyway as expats they would want to charge us an extortionate fee that would make O'Leary look like a saint.

They have already said there will be a fee

Jim

I think I'll just work my passage, though that could well be a risky business with some of todays sailor boys around.

now now.....