RNLI Devon Magazine Issue 1

Summer 2013

Getting Exmouth and Ilfracombe RNLI on the move with launching equipment appeal

RNLI - the charity that saves lives at sea

Issue 1

Hello and welcome 4

n Appeals Cover story

6

n Reunion Crew reunites

7

n Handover lifeboat accepted

9

n Lessons Pupils hit the beach

11

n Rescue Surfer saved

13

n SOS Riding out

15

n Stay safe On the beach

16

n One week What goes on

19

n Grand RNLI shop reopens

21

n Doctor Medical emergency

22

n Thanyou For saving me

24

n Super Sainsbury’s support

26

n Stations Incident round-up

28

n What’s On Summer events

Cover picture: Shannon class lifeboat and beach launch

H

ello and welcome to the very first edition of the Devon RNLI magazine, with thanks to the Packet Newspaper group who have generously helped us to produce this at no cost to our charity. In fact I must also thank all those advertisers who have kindly supported this inaugural edition as without their generosity this venture just wouldn’t be possible.

The idea of this publication is to allow you to find out more about the work of the RNLI, the charity that saves lives at sea, and the many volunteers across Devon whose commitment ensures we can provide a superb lifeboat and lifeguard service that is the envy of the world.

You’ll read about some of our extraordinary people and hopefully be inspired to support our appeals and a few of the events we are busy with this summer.

2012 was another busy year for the RNLI in Devon. The nine lifeboat stations launched 491 times, rescuing 552 people and spending a collective period at sea of 6,723 hours on rescues and exercises. That really is commitment.

The busiest station was Plymouth with 95 launches, followed by Torbay with 86 launches and Exmouth who were called to emergencies 70 times.

For Ilfracombe it was their busiest year on record with 65 call outs.

The RNLI lifeguards were busy too; at Woolacombe they were busiest, responding to 383 incidents, at Bantham they dealt with 259 incidents and at Croyde 245 incidents.

All this is only possible with your help. As a charity the RNLI relies on public donations and legacies so we hope the stories in our new magazine will inspire and encourage you to continue to support our work and those who toil away tirelessly to bring the funds in.

There are many different volunteering roles in the RNLI and I have the privilege of working with a team of volunteer lifeboat press officers who promote the work of their respective lifeboat stations.

Two of them are co-editors of this new magazine and I would like to introduce Tony Watson from Teignmouth RNLI and first Emma Tarling from Exmouth RNLI. ‘Thanks for inviting me to help edit this first edition Tamsin. I consider myself a lucky lifeboat press officer as I work with volunteers from all aspects of the charity. I get involved with reporting shouts to the local media as well as publicising

Advertising Georgia Jenkins telephone: 01326 213306 e-mail: georgia.jenkins@packetseries.co.uk Design & page layout Packet Newspapers telephone: 01326 213333

n The Devon RNLI magazine editorial team, from left to right, Tony Watson, Emma Tarling and Tamsin Thomas fundraising, promoting news from the station and crew volunteers’ achievements.

‘Here at Exmouth RNLI, we’re busy making preparations for the arrival of our new Shannon-class lifeboat, expected early next year. So far we have played host to the prototype model on UK trials, twice.

‘This state-of-the-art life-saving vessel has been tested on our sandy beaches and we’re pleased to see that it fits our five year-old lifeboat station snugly. Our volunteer crew are receiving specialist training for this new water-jet propelled all-weather lifeboat at our maritime training centre of excellence in Poole and at venues around the UK. ‘Our Lifeboat Fundraising Team meanwhile, are busy with an appeal to raise £150,000 towards the cost of the launch and recovery vehicle to accompany the lifeboat. So far this year, we have had tremendous support from the local community, achieving a number of successful fundraising events which you can read about.

‘Our local lifeguards have been patrolling Exmouth beach since the end of May and will continue until early September. This year sees the first ‘Hit the Surf’ sessions in this part of Devon, which teaches schoolchildren about staying safe in the sea. Living on the coast with my family, teaching children about the dangers of drowning is of paramount importance to me.

‘As a bustling holiday resort in the south west, we encounter rescues with similar themes. Locals and visitors to the area are often caught out by our rapidly changing tides to find themselves cut off whilst walking by the sea. The mud flats of the Exe estuary and the small bays at the start of the Jurassic coast are the destination for many of our inshore lifeboat call-outs. Since Exmouth is a haven

fax: 01326 212084 e-mail: editorial@packetseries.co.uk Newsquest Cornwall, Falmouth Business Park, Bickland Water Road, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 4SZ The opinions expressed by the RNLI are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher.

for kite and wind-surfers, we are dutifully called upon to assist people in difficulty in increasingly unpredictable weather conditions.

Now let me introduce my neighbouring volunteer lifeboat press officer, across the Lyme Bay, Tony Watson from Teignmouth: ‘It is a great privilege to be one of the co-editors of this Devon RNLI magazine. At Teignmouth we have a B class Atlantic 85 (The Two Annes), an Arancia 3.9m metre inflatable inshore rescue craft (Malcolm Hawkesford 1) and a Rescue Water Craft (Andrew Paddick) making this area one of the safest to enjoy the water, either on it or in it!

‘Our Atlantic 85 is one of the fastest lifeboats in the fleet, capable of 35 knots (about 42 mph) and is the main provider of marine rescues between Torquay and Exmouth – the Arancia’s duties are coping with the shallow waters of the River Teign and Shaldon moorings, and the Rescue Water Craft is manned by the RNLI lifeguards on Teignmouth seafront and at Dawlish Warren.

‘The Rescue Water Craft (RWC) is a jet ski operated and equipped for search and rescue. Being water jet driven the hazard of the propellers is removed and the shallow water capability enhanced.

‘The RWC can carry two crew members and is capable of speeds of up to 65mph.

‘The lifeboat station is open to visitors Easter to late October, and the souvenir shop is open almost every day of the year from 10am to at least 4pm selling a wide range of souvenirs and Christmas cards.

The Teignmouth lifeboat fundraising team organise many events throughout the year, and details can be found on the events page.

To find out more about the RNLI visit www.rnli.org.uk and if you’d like to comment on our new magazine

Published by the RNLI. Produced by Newsquest Cornwall (part of the Gannett Group) from its office at Falmouth Business Park, Bickland Water Road, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 4SZ. Printed at Newsquest Print Centre, Fleet House, Hampshire Road, Weymouth, DT4 9XD. 3

Exmouth and Ilfracombe; I

n 2014, two Devon RNLI lifeboat stations will be receiving a new state-of-the-art Shannonclass lifeboat. Exmouth and Ilfracombe will be the second and tenth stations respectively in the whole of the UK, the first being Dungeness. We hope to tell you more about the features of the new lifeboat in future editions of this magazine, but you can find out more from our website: www.rnli.org.uk/shannon.

Both Exmouth and Ilfracombe require a beach-launch and recovery system to transport the lifeboat to and from the boathouse and the sea. The Talus tractor, utilised as present for the Mersey-class lifeboats, is not suitable to work alongside the new Shannon all-weather lifeboat.

Military vehicle manufacturer Supacat, based in Devon, have worked in conjunction with inhouse RNLI designers to create a bespoke vehicle especially for launch and recovering techniques on a wide range of terrains around the UK. With the cost of the two lifeboats already met, a proportion of the cost of this unique vehicle will be generated by both the lifeboat fundraising teams.

n Prototype Shannon class lifeboat in launch and recovery trials

n Exeter Uni drama students supporting the RNLI with a collection

Case one: Exmouth

The Exmouth Lifeboat Fundraising Team launched their launch and recovery vehicle appeal in the autumn of 2012, with a target of £150,000.

The length of the appeal is dependent on the date of the vehicle’s arrival which is, currently at time of print, by the end of first quarter of 2014 (March).

The team of eight committee members is led by chair, Don Hodgkinson and has many loyal and dependable volunteers.

The team were accustomed to organising two or three fundraising events and two worshipbased events per year, so more ideas were needed to reach the target.

Other fundraising branches Exeter, Honiton, Topsham, Sidmouth, Beer and Erdington, (in the West Midlands) willingly agreed to help contribute to the south Devon’s station appeal.

Word soon spread to community groups that we were in need of support.

Around this time, students from Exeter University had approached community fundraising manager, Frances Warren to offer their support and organise events on campus to boost funds.

Exmouth RNLI volunteer lifeboats visits Officer, Caz Ashman would inform schools and other local groups of the appeal whilst giving a free tour of the lifeboats and station.

A number were so impressed with the work of the volunteers that they soon returned with a cheque from their own fundraising efforts.

The support from the local community is at times overwhelming. When Exe Sailing Club 4

member, Michael Griffin was planning a 60th birthday party at Exmouth Pavilion in April, he requested that Exmouth RNLI play a large role, too.

Michael invited two deputy coxswains and their wives to raise awareness of the appeal on the night and helped raise £1,068 in the process.

Fundraising team secretary, Beryl Cole organ-

council member, Hugo Swire to auction the prize-winning cakes.

A dedicated team of volunteers cut slices of cake and served hot drinks all day to help raise £536.78.

Exmouth RNLI’s fundraising success so far this year hasn’t been limited to the charity’s fundraising team. Crew volunteers raised a massive £2,500 for SOS Day in January, (see page 28) and over £1,000 in just two hours at a successful boat jumble in April.

Appealing to the community to clear out their garages and offering to collect items was the key to success.

n Hugo Swire auctions the prize winning cake with Lavinia ised a successful cake bake in the last May bank holiday weekend. Inspired by the popularity of bake-offs on TV and cookery books, Beryl looked to the community to lead an event based around a fun, social occasion.

With around 20 entries, two from crew volunteers Roger and Max, there was plenty for visitors to enjoy at afternoon tea in the boathouse.

Beryl arranged for East Devon MP and RNLI

n Shop volunteer Nancy Thompson raising funds with her knitted hats

RNLI- tale of two appeals key to success. Other Exmouth RNLI volunteers have wanted to take part in individual fundraising achievements. Shop volunteer, Nancy Thompson has now raised over £2,000 in selling hand-crocheted hats over nearly three years. Volunteer deputy launching authority, Dave Ashman is taking part in the Eddystone Pursuit, off Plymouth on 13 July; an event he took part in last year, raising £570.

Upcoming events led by members of the community this year, are a classic Jurassic Mini rally and a pirate pub crawl around Exeter, (see page 28 for events). This is the third year running that these groups have raised money for Exmouth RNLI and their generosity is rewarded with publicity in the local media.

The annual Exmouth RNLI open day will be held on Sunday 18 August this year, see page 28 for more events.

side and some had spent lots of time and effort decorating full window displays. Other businesses, who didn’t take part this year told us they would definitely join in next time as it had looked so fun.’

Tony Gillam added; ‘The enthusiasm of the town for this event has gone beyond anything we imagined. We’ve got high hopes that Yellow Day will be a bright spot in the diary for many years to come!’

So far this year, Ilfracombe RNLI has taken part in a number of fundraising events including an Easter Eggvent and a postponed SOS Day. Soap Our Salons, an annual car wash planned for the charity’s national fundraising day in January, finally took place on a busy and sunny Easter weekend.

The weather had clearly made a difference as both events in the same week raised over £1,000. The charity’s mascot, Stormy Stan arrived just in time to join in the fun.

The volunteers are busy planning Lifeboat Week, which this year will be running from 8 – 14 August.

A number of events will be running through the week, with the lifeboat station open and hosting an activity every day. The highlight of

n Exeter Uni hockey students flying the flag for the RNLI and mascot Stormy Stan

Community Fundraising: the challenges

n IIfracombe yellow day at the RNLI shop

Case two: Ilfracombe

Aiming to achieve the same target figure, Ilfracombe RNLI Fundraising Branch launched their appeal in May this year.

Under the leadership of Tony Gillam and consisting of ten further committee members, the team announced the appeal whilst publicising Yellow Day. With the immense support of local businesses and community groups around the north-coast town, Ilfracombe RNLI’s event raised £2,600 towards the appeal.

The idea was to keep the charity in the public’s eye by wearing or displaying the colour yellow for the day, replicating the colour of the crew volunteers’ kit.

Shops planned their window displays especially for the day with a yellow theme; yellowiced cakes were made for the occasion, to be sold for a donation to the appeal and Ilfracombe Academy alone raised a massive £835 from the yellow-themed non-uniform day.

A team of crew volunteers, dressed in their very own yellows, walked through town to say ‘thank-you’ to supporters.

RNLI Mechanic, Leigh Hanks joined in the walkabout: ‘When we started talking about it, we thought we might get ten to 15 businesses joining in. On the day, we had 56 groups of people to visit, including the academy, the museum and the medical centre, where there was even a lady on reception dressed as a banana! Ten of our crew volunteers and myself visited everyone who had told us they were taking part.

‘Some just had a few yellow balloons up out-

n Youngsters from Splash Swim School the week will be the town’s rescue day on 14 August.

The proceeds from the day, organised by the Ilfracombe Marketing Group and featuring a rescue display by both Ilfracombe lifeboats, will be going to the launch and recovery vehicle appeal.

Later in the year, on 27th October, the fundraising team and volunteer lifeboat crew of Ilfracombe RNLI have organised an ‘inshore lifeboat pull’.

RNLI volunteers plan to pull the inshore lifeboat, Deborah Brown II, with tractor and full crew on board, around a course on the seafront.

Local pubs and clubs will be challenged to beat the RNLI crew and in doing so, raise money towards the appeal. More dates of summer events can be found on page 28 of this magazine.

There’s no doubt that the success of both lifeboat stations fundraising achievements are reflected by the local communities’ loyal support. However, as seaside resorts, the timing of events is crucial to attract holidaymakers and locals alike.

Attracting new supporters is important.

Websites and social media allow occasional visitors to the towns keep in touch with news and this helps spread the word on the appeals, far and wide. Consider that it was only a year ago that both stations relied on the same communities to raise money towards new lifejackets and only five years ago, helped Exmouth RNLI fund their new boathouse. The challenge for the teams is thinking up new ways to keep the fundraising fresh and fun.

Please get in touch if you would like to take part or organise fundraising events towards the launch and recovery vehicle appeals: www.exmouth-lifeboat.org.uk www.ilfracombelifeboat.org.uk

5

Reunion marks 30th anniversary of the Salcombe RNLI capsize

n The 47ft Watson-class all weather lifeboat The Baltic Exchange on n Former crew members Roger Evans, Frank Smith, David Lambe and Mike Hicks at the reunion the quay at RNLI HQ in Poole, Dorset

T

hirty years ago this year the crew of the Salcombe RNLI all-weather lifeboat launched to assist divers in trouble.

Little did they know that the day would take a dramatic turn with a crew volunteer going overboard and the Watson class lifeboat capsizing in enormous seas.

No-one lost their life, despite the incident, and in April the four crew who are still alive today met for a special reunion at the charity’s RNLI College in Poole, Dorset.

The Salcombe RNLI crew were called around lunchtime on 10 April 1983 to assist a group of divers who were reported to be in difficulties – their inflatable dinghy had capsized on the Skerries Bank.

As the lifeboat left the harbour it became apparent to the seven lifeboat crew that the conditions were horrendous with ferocious force nine winds and big seas.

Amongst those who put to sea were Frank Smith, now 66 and at the time the motor mechanic at Salcombe lifeboat station and crew volunteers Mike Hicks, also 66, and then a local restaurateur, Roger Evans, 70 now and then an audiologist, and David ‘Whale’ Lamble, the youngest crew member at the time aged just 24 years old and a fisherman.

The seas had built alarmingly on the day and in the midst of the passage Mike Hicks was washed overboard by a huge wave. Frank Smith takes up the story from his perspective: ‘As we turned to go back for Mike the lifeboat started to roll over to starboard. She just had the momentum to carry on. I thought to myself, “I don’t like this” and then I thought “she’s going”.

I remember it all going black and then we were upside down and trapped below, everything was the wrong way round. I remember it went very still and I hadn’t a clue where we were.

‘Then I saw a clump of light the size of my fist on the door and that was her coming back up 6

again.’ When she was back up we turned round to collect Mike out of the water and that meant turning in to the very weather that had just capsized us.’

For Mike Hicks it was a very different story as he recalls with emotion:‘I unhooked my safety line to let someone go by and as I did that a wall of water appeared and I was gone. Then I was going down into the water and I could see two cameos of my sons and I thought “what are you doing down here, let’s go up”. As I hit the surface I noticed my watch was undone. I fastened it and looked over and that’s when I saw the lifeboat upside down and with the propellers still turning.

‘I felt terrible emotion because all my mates were possibly lost. Then I saw the lifeboat come back over.

‘I was looking up at walls of water and then I saw the lifeboat coming towards me, but it got

n The original 1983 crew who were

capsized in the Watson-class lifeboat

picked up on a wave and then it crashed down in to a trough. There’s a scramble net on the starboard side so on the next run they dropped it down and I came up on a wave and grabbed it and then my crew colleagues managed to pull me onboard.’

David ‘Whale’ Lamble who was the youngest crew volunteer that day, says their RNLI training paid off, it was they all agree ‘a text book capsize’, but he wouldn’t want to experience it again; ‘People often ask me what it was like. I say it was a good experience but one that you would never wish on anyone else or yourself for that matter.’

There were four divers in trouble that day.

Two managed to get safely ashore in an inflatable dinghy, while the other two were airlifted from the sea by a search and rescue helicopter crew.

Following the incident a framed letter of Thanks signed by the then RNLI chairman the Duke of Atholl was awarded to the coxswain and crew in recognition of their fortitude and determination in the ‘highest traditions of the Institution’. The Salcombe RNLI team included Coxswain Graham Griffiths, Brian ‘Horse’ Cater, Frank Smith, Stan Turns, Roger Evans, Mike Hicks and David ‘Whale’ Lamble.

As designed, the emergency air bag fitted to the 47 foot Watson, had inflated as the lifeboat heeled over beyond the point of no return and initiated her righting.

The Baltic Exchange suffered minimal damage but was taken off service for a complete survey and refit following the capsize.

Frank Smith recalls that when he took her on trials after the overhaul he found signs attached to most bits of equipment reading ‘this way up’.

Frank Smith is retired and lives in Salcombe, David Lamble lives near Plymouth and is still a fisherman; Mike Hicks now lives in Brittany and Roger Evans in Scotland.

n At sea off Plymouth, the first and last Tamar class all-weather lifeboats to be fitted out by Babcock for the RNL. The first Tamar is the Peter and Lesley-Jane Nicholson, which is a relief lifeboat providing cover when Tamars go away for refits. The newest Tamar is the Roy Barker IV that will be stationed at The Mumbles in Wales

Babcock praised as 27th Tamar presented to RNLI

T

HE final RNLI Tamar class all-weather lifeboat to be fitted out by Babcock in Plymouth has been formally accepted by the charity. It marks the end of a contract which has seen the company fit out all 27 Tamars produced for the RNLI fleet. The last one, which was accepted by the RNLI in May, will be based in Wales.

It was a day for celebration and thanks as the team at Babcock handed over the 27th Tamar to the RNLI at their base in Plymouth. Roy Barker IV will be stationed at The Mumbles Lifeboat Station and was accepted in to the RNLI fleet by Michael Vlasto, Operations Director for the charity. Mr Vlasto has formally accepted every Tamar except one, since production of this class of all-weather lifeboats began.

At a formal presentation, Babcock and the RNLI exchanged commemorative gifts, and Michael Vlasto spoke of the valuable commitment the company and its workforce had shown to the RNLI contract that saw Babcock staff put in 100,000 hours of work a year over the past decade.

Mr Vlasto said: ‘The quality of lifeboats produced at Babcock has been consistently fantastic.

‘Many of the staff here report that this has been the best project they’ve ever worked on and that proves that the enthusiasm we have within the RNLI has got under their skin too.

The lifeboats produced in Plymouth, and that includes 27 Tamar class all-weather lifeboats and six Severn class all-weather lifeboats, have to date launched 2,224 times, rescuing 3,023 people and saving 87 lives.

‘I’m very grateful to everyone at Babcock and thank them for providing the RNLI with quality lifeboats that continue to save lives at sea.”

Chris Tomkins, Director and General Manager

n Chris Tomkins, Director and General Manager of Devonport, presents a commemorative plaque to David Brook, RNLI Engineering and Supply Director Pictures: RNLI/NIGEL MILLARD of Devonport said: ‘This has been a prestigious contract and it has been a pleasure and an honour to work for the RNLI. There has been a great deal of job satisfaction for the staff who have been involved and I’m delighted that we have produced such high class rescue vessels. I believe we have demonstrated that we can be trusted to deliver, which is our motto.

‘I'd like to thank all at the Plymouth RNLI lifeboat station and Coxswain Dave Milford in particular, for their help with the sea trials and

the Babcock team who have continued to maintain high standards right to the end of the contract. I wish good luck to the RNLI for the future.’

Future all-weather lifeboats will be produced in-house by the RNLI at a purpose-built facility that is to be constructed at the charity's Poole headquarters in Dorset.

The All-weather Lifeboat Centre, to be built on land already owned by the charity, will save the organisation £3 million each year once it is up and running.

7

Exmouth children hit the surf S

choolchildren in Exmouth headed to the beach recently with RNLI lifeguards to learn vital lessons on how to keep themselves safe in the surf. Around 140 children, aged between eight and 11, from five schools in the area took part in the charity’s unique Hit the Surf scheme on Exmouth beach.

The programme sees RNLI lifeguards delivering surf safety sessions, with theory covering important subjects like the role of lifeguards; key beach hazards; the meaning of the beach safety flags; and what to do if you get into difficulty in the water, before a practical lesson on the beach which aims to make the children more capable and confident in the water.

Local volunteer group, Exmouth Beach Rescue Club kindly offered their facilities free of charge for the event, which included a 20-minute classroom session before the class donned RNLI wetsuits and rash vests. The children were reassured that they would be most safe in the water, given the number

n Schoolchildren try boardwalking of highly-trained lifeguards present with them. The class took part in beach exercises in front of the lifeboat station before walking to the safe swimming area near the lifeguard hut, to enter the water.

Sarah Beresford, RNLI Beach Safety Supervisor, who oversees the programme, says:

n Beach exercises in front of Exmouth RNLI Station

n Lots of RNLI lifeguards in the water ‘Hit the Surf is a fun and active programme for the children to get involved in but it also carries some very important messages about how to stay safe in the surf and what to do should they find themselves in difficulty. Body boarding is particularly popular with children so we want to make sure they have the right skills and knowledge to be able to enjoy themselves, but keep safe at the same time.

‘This programme is now into its eighth year and but it’s the first time the charity have bought it to Exmouth and we’ve had a great reception from the schools.’

In June pupils in years 5 and 6 at The Beacon Church of England Primary School took part in the Hit the Surf session. Teacher Mrs Nelmes said of the experience; ‘It’s a brilliant way to learn about surf safety and have fun at the same time. Even the girl who was reluctant to put her swimming costume on said she had an amazing time and wants to do it again!’

Family traditions remain strong n By BARRY PERRINS VOLUNTEER CREW MEMBER AND LIFEBOAT PRESS OFFICER AT PLYMOUTH

T

HE word “family” is often mentioned in conversations about the RNLI, and for good reason.

In the days of old, coastal communities tended to be small and self reliant. Crews for lifeboats were mostly drawn from local fishermen and those who made their living on the sea. As in times past it was common for family members to follow the same professions as their elders, it was inevitable then that lifeboats could end up by having crews who were related.

In fact it wasn’t unusual to find entire families involved in some form with their local lifeboat station. From shore based duties to helping launch the boats it was very much a family affair!

Today we live in a different world, a world that unfortunately has a habit of sweeping tradition aside.

With the decline of fishing and marine based industries, these days those with specialist seafaring skills are not always readily available.

As a result the RNLI has had to adapt. As far as skills and training goes, we now have the RNLI College at Poole. With its world class training facilities the college staff do a great job training the volunteer lifeboat crews of today.

n Dave Milford and grandson Billy But what of tradition? You may ask. I’m glad to say, that here in the Royal National Lifeboat Institution tradition is alive and well.

Family connections in the Plymouth lifeboat crew are today as strong as ever.

The Second Coxswain on the Plymouth allweather lifeboat is Bronze medal winner Sean Marshall. Sean joined the crew when his father Pat Marshall was the Coxswain.

Having also had a great uncle on the crew and after 34 years of service, Sean’s father retired in 2000.

Having served under Pat Marshall, David Milford became the current Coxswain in 2001 and a new family connection was started.

Two past crew members at Plymouth were Andy and Dave Hole. Through his involvement with the lifeboat Andy met and later married Dave Milford’s daughter Rachel. Their son Billy

is now Plymouth lifeboat’s newest crew member.

Crewman Billy Hole represents both the future and the past – the future in that the institution is keen to develop and train young people to meet tomorrow’s challenges, and the past in maintaining a long and valuable tradition.

As for family, it’s not just blood that ties members of a lifeboat crew, it’s more than that. It’s the dependence, faith and total trust in one another in what can be sometimes be dangerous situations.

As a member of the RNLI we are ALL family.

n Bronze medal winner Sean Marshall 9

n The RNLI team involved in the rescue. From left to right standing – Elle Theaker, Peter Ballantine, RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor Paul Gunning, Alex Allen, Max Stacey, Peter Mugridge and in front James Rowe and Ed Morris.

Credit RNLI/Jason Jackson

RNLI team save surfer A

team of RNLI lifeguards saved the life of a woman surfer trapped in strong currents and large breaking waves off Bantham beach in South Devon in April. The group were undergoing lifeguard training assessments when the alarm was raised by a kite surfer.

RNLI lifeguard supervisors Jason Jackson and Paul Gunning were at the Bantham Surf Lifesaving Club preparing for surf rescue training with a group of volunteers when the kite surfer reported that two women were in trouble in the Bantham river mouth surf zone.

He was James Timmis who also happens to be a volunteer lifeguard for the RNLI. RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor Paul Gunning takes up the story; ‘Jason and I got ready to launch the RNLI inshore rescue boat while the volunteers worked as a team to get to the scene with rescue boards as well as keep a lookout and maintain emergency communications.

‘The two women had gone to the beach to try out a new surfboard when the challenging

conditions with a wind of force 6 and a 4 to 6 foot onshore surf, caught them out. One managed to get to the shallows on the surfboard and call to James to raise the alarm.

‘The volunteers were able to find the casualty and support her with the rescue boards until we arrived and transferred her into the inshore rescue boat.

When we got to the shore the lady was very weak, had swallowed a lot of water and was losing consciousness so we called for an ambulance.

‘We continued to provide casualty care until she was well enough to be transported in the lifeguard truck the short distance to the Surf Lifesaving Club.’

‘Both women were very thankful to the team of RNLI lifeguards and certainly the casualty who had to be rescued was of the opinion that she would have drowned if we hadn’t been there.

‘She also praised our casualty care skills and that means a lot to us as we work hard to maintain the very high standards the charity expect of us.’

11

n Looking back: Exmouth RNLI put Six on Saddles for SOS Day 2013

RNLI/BRUCE DE SARAM

SOS Day ride nets £2,500 C

rew volunteers from Exmouth RNLI took part in a very successful SOS Day event on Sunday, January 20.

Max, Paul, Lee, David, Hedley and Steve cycled around the Exe estuary from Dawlish Football Club to the Exmouth RNLI boathouse.

Pedalling a total of 22 miles in full all-weather lifeboat kit, the sextet raised a total of £2,500.

Fundraising consisted of sponsorship, donations and volunteer-run stalls at the finish line. Local businesses, sailing clubs and local media firms all played a vital role in the success.

The Exmouth Shanty Men provided entertainment for the welcoming crowd in subzero temperatures and other RNLI volunteers invited visitors to Sip Our Soup throughout the afternoon.

Organiser and crew volunteer helmsman, Mark ‘Max’ Champion is formulating plans for a similar fundraising event for 2014.

n Six On Sandwiches – the team were treated to a packed lunch at Darts Farm RNLI/EMMA TARLING

n SOS at Starcross

RNLI/TONY WATSON

n The Six On Saddles team with the all-weather lifeboat in the background RNLI/BRUCE DE SARAM 13

Stay safe on the beach!

Y

ou’ll be pleased to hear that our lifeguard and lifeboat crews will be looking out for your safety while you enjoy a well-deserved break at the beach.

The seaside isn’t most people’s usual environment so it’s easy to miss some of its hazards. Try and plan for the following points before you set out, and look for the safety signs when you get to your beach: ON THE BEACH There are high and low tides – will the beach be there all the time?

Look out for sharp objects/litter hidden in the sand Mind how you go on slippery rocks, and watch out for big drops from cliffs and harbour walls. . . . AND IN THE WATER Be aware of rip currents/dumping waves – they could drag you out of your depth There could be jellyfish or weever fish, which can sting Watch out for offshore winds – don’t get blown out to sea on toy inflatables Be mindful of other water users.

IDEA! Try to choose a lifeguarded beach. To find your nearest beach go online and visit: goodbeachguide.co.uk where you’ll find a national list of all lifeguarded beaches. And don’t be afraid to talk to the lifeguards – they’ve got lots of information that can help you stay safe and have fun!

DON’T FORGET TO READ THE SAFETY SIGNS RIP CURRENTS Rips are strong currents that can quickly

n Lifeguards have lots of information that can help you stay safe take swimmers from the shallows out beyond their depth. Lifeguards will show you where you can avoid rips, but if you do get caught in one follow these steps: n Stay calm – don’t panic n if you can stand, wade don’t swim n Keep hold of your board or inflatable to help you float n Raise your hand and shout for help never try to swim directly against the rip or you’ll get exhausted n Swim parallel to the beach until free of the rip, then make for the shore.

SUN SAFETY Sunburn can ruin your holiday and increase the risk of skin cancer in later life. We experience more than half our lifetime’s exposure to the sun before we reach the age of 21. So, keep your family safe this summer

and follow the five Ss of sun safety: Sunscreen – slop on SPF 30+ broadspectrum, 4 star+ rated, waterproof sunscreen every two hours. Waterproof sunscreens should not be used on children under three years of age as it can stop them sweating and lead to overheating Sun hat – slap on a broad-brimmed hat that shades your face, neck and ears Sunglasses– wear wrap-around sunglasses with UV protection to shield your eyes Shoulders– slip on a T-shirt or UV protective suit for children and remember to keep your shoulders covered Shade– seek shade, particularly during the hottest time of the day between 11am and 3pm when UV penetration is at its strongest.

If you see anyone else in trouble, alert the lifeguards or call 999 and ask for the coastguard.

All legacies, large or small, will make a difference

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id you know that over half of the RNLI’s income comes from gifts left in wills? These legacies mean so much to our charity. Each represents the lifeboat that launches day after day, responding to every call for help. It’s the training that turns a volunteer into an expert navigator, able to guide the lifeboat through 20-metre waves and gale-force winds. It’s the lifejacket that keeps a crew member afloat as he plunges into ice cold water to rescue a casualty at sea.

Now in his late 30s, Jamie Grant recognises the importance of a will in ensuring that his and his wife’s wishes are honoured.

Jamie sails most weekends and remembers a time when he had to call upon the RNLI as one of his crew became trapped between two boats. “The sea scares me,” he said. “You have to respect it. Seeing the RNLI’s volunteer crews go out in Force

10 gales, I have huge respect for them.”

Leaving a gift in a will is a fantastic way of supporting a charity as Jamie explained: “The RNLI knows how to spend money wisely. Leaving a gift in my will makes me feel that I can put more money into the RNLI than when I’m alive.”

Of course, it is important that you take care of your loved ones before remembering a cause you support, but we would ask our supporters to consider the difference all legacies, no matter how large or small, make to the RNLI. Just a few pounds could buy gloves to protect a crew member’s hands.

It’s easy to make or amend a will and it needn’t be expensive. If you have any questions or need guidance, please call Mark Allwood, RNLI Legacy Manager n Money left to the RNLI in a will can help pay for operational training and on 01202 663591. Alternatively, vital lifesaving equipment visit www.rnli.org/legacy 15

A week in the life of a Sedgewell Cove lifeguard

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UNE 2013 was a month to remember for the RNLI lifeguard team at Sedgewell Cove in South Devon. On the twenty second they rescued a windsurfer who was washed into a small, inaccessible cove after being caught out by difficult conditions.

On the seventeenth they were called to help a surfer and a body boarder grateful that RNLI lifeguards were on duty when they got caught in a rip current.

In the first incident, the man and woman had been swept out to sea by a combination of the rip, offshore winds and an ebbing tide at around 5pm in the evening. The two were spotted by the patrolling RNLI lifeguard team and Jason Macbroom and Chris Rampling who immediately launched the inshore rescue boat. The two people were plucked out of the sea with their boards and taken back to shore unharmed by their ordeal.

Jason Jackson, RNLI Supervisor, said the incident proved the worth of visiting a lifeguarded beach.

“The combination of conditions, with an ebbing tide and offshore winds, meant the pair were being very rapidly taken out to sea. The patrolling lifeguards spotted them quickly, which resulted in them being brought back to shore safely.

It just goes to show that it’s worth visiting a lifeguarded beach so we can look after you if the conditions catch you out and things start to go wrong.”

On June 22 the RNLI lifeguards were on patrol at Sedgewell Cove at 4.45pm when they noticed a windsurfer in the water seemingly unable to return to shore in the strong winds and four-foot surf.

The man was being taken away from the beach and down towards the River Avon. Senior RNLI lifeguard Jason Macbroom, who had just finished some water

based training on his break, prepared the inshore rescue boat for launching, while RNLI Supervisor Paul Gunning made his way across the beach to join him.

Paul Gunning explained: “When we arrived at the scene the windsurfer had been washed in to a small cut off cove, amongst rocks and breaking surf. The cove was flanked by steep cliffs with no way out other than by sea. Time was critical with the tide rising and we decided to take the rescue boat in closer to survey the scene and chose somewhere to land in the cove.

“This was a very critical rescue, largely due to the conditions, time constraints and restricted location.

Jason and I are very experienced lifeguards and we had to make fast, rational decisions on what was possible and how to attempt the rescue before committing to action.

“The flooding tide and building surf meant there was no time to bring in any other rescue agencies so we knew we had to act wisely but swiftly if we were to help the casualty.

“We got in to the cove and checked the casualty over for any signs of injury before getting him to pack down his kit as best he could. While he did this we held the rescue boat in a launch position knowing we had to make a fast and safe get away from the area.

“We explained how the launch would happen and the man positioned himself in the boat as, with the conditions getting worse, it was critical that we were all positioned carefully for the journey out of the cove through the breaking surf. A short break in the sea conditions allowed us to quickly get out of the area and head to the main beach.”

n The two rescuers arrive at the cove 16

n RNLI Supervisor Paul Gunning and RNLI Senior Lifeguard Jason Macbroom leave the cove with the rescued windsurfer onboard RNLI lifeguards Dave Pascoe and Holly Molesworth were able to check the casualty over while his kit was recovered by the crew of the inshore rescue boat. Paul Gunning said they were also able to give the windsurfer some advice.

“We were able to explain the importance of signalling for help early so we can respond before the situation gets out of hand and of assessing the conditions before

setting out, considering whether they are suitable for you and your sport.

“The windsurfer was extremely grateful for our assistance and understood the critical nature of the situation he had got into in the challenging conditions. It’s an example of why it makes sense to go in or on the water at a lifeguarded beach where we are on the lookout and can help when things go wrong.”

n The surfer and the bodyboarder are taken back to shore in the RNLI inshore rescue boat

Salcombe’s grand reopening S

alcombe RNLI's newly refurbished shop and museum was officially opened in May in front of a packed crowd of supporters and holiday makers.

Following a major refurbishment to the existing premises at the town's lifeboat station, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence KCVO, CB, ADC(P) formally re-opened the museum and shop by cutting a ribbon across the entrance.

Guests at the ceremony included the RNLI's operations director, Michael Vlasto, past and present crew, members of the community who tirelessly support the station and raise vital funds for the charity and also many tourists who were enjoying a half term break in the town.

The re-opening of the shop and museum came after a period of extensive refurbishment which has seen the premises modernised and updated, inside and out. The museum has taken on a bright and welcoming appearance with modernised displays of the station's incredible 144 years of history.

Fundraisers and supporters have been working very hard at reequipping the shop with lots of exciting RNLI branded items, for visitors and locals to browse and buy. The shop and museum are now open daily between 10.30am

n Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence formally re-opened the museum and shop and 4.30pm throughout the summer season with thanks to the assistance from a team of dedicated fund-raising volunteers.

Before cutting the ribbon at the entrance to the newly refurbished shop and museum, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence KCVO CB ADC (P), said: ‘An extraordinary feature of the RNLI is the way our supporters and fundraisers keep our charity going. They are all wonderful people who keep the income going and they are a fan-

tastic tribute to the RNLI. It's delightful to come here and open the re-furbished shop and museum and my congratulations go to the team who have put this all together and seen the volunteerled project through to completion.

Let's hope the outcome is even more funds raised for the RNLI by this very successful branch and station at Salcombe.’

Salcombe RNLI has been operating since 1869.

To learn more about the lifeboat

stations past and present go to www.salcombelifeboat.co.uk The station operates two lifeboats.

RNLB The Baltic Exchange III, a 16m long, Tamar class, all-weather lifeboat.

The vessel is self-righting, crewed at sea by a coxswain and mechanic and five crew and capable of 25kts and RNLB Joan Bate, a 7.5m long Atlantic class, inshore lifeboat. The vessel is capable of 32kts and crewed by three people.

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Walk-in-the-Sea raises £6,464 for the RNLI Have you ever wondered what fundraisers do in the winter?

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HE highlight of the Christmas festivities in Teignmouth is the annual Boxing Day Walkin-the-Sea, held to raise funds for the RNLI. Last year saw an estimated 280 high-spirited and hardy souls enter the chilly sea close to the town’s pier.

The Teignmouth lifeboat (The Two Annes) and other volunteer crew and shore crew were all on hand to look after those running in to the sea in case of any difficulties.

It is estimated that another 2,500 spectators came to witness the spectacle causing a trafficjam around Teignmouth – but with entrance fees and sponsorship £6,464 was raised. For a bunch of people willing to go into the ice cold sea that’s brrrrilliant!

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n An estimated 280 people walked into the sea at Teignmouth on Boxing Day 2012

Doctor, give me the news

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olunteer roles in the RNLI are many and varied – here Emma Tarling writes about the role of the Lifeboat Medical Volunteers at Exmouth: Husband and wife team, Drs Jane and Peter Aitken, share Lifeboat Medical Adviser (LMA) duties at Exmouth RNLI and were recently featured in GP and Medeconomics magazine.

As a GP, Jane performs crew volunteer medicals and refresher courses in between regular RNLI casualty care training. Recently, Jane ran a popular casualty scenario day on Exmouth Beach and a “Cardiac Curry” night, combining CPR awareness with a social event.

She said: “What has been a male culture has many women in crew and support roles – the charity has around 400 female crew volunteers.

Women LMAs are bringing a new perspective to the work.”

Peter is a former GP and currently a consultant in liaison psychiatry. Crew competent

n Husband and wife team Jane and Peter Aitken involve themselves across the full range of RNLI station activities

n Drs Peter and Jane Aitken share LMA duties at Exmouth RNLI

after receiving intensive training in marine safety and survival, he was chosen to provide safety cover during the Olympic sailing events at Weymouth and Portland last year. Peter’s unique professional experience lends an extra dimension to the volunteer role, especially during and after difficult and traumatic rescues.

Asked whether he would recommend this role to other GPs, he replied: “Absolutely! The LMA role is a privilege. It is well supported with good induction and online support. Training opportunities are fantastic.”

Finding working with the charity a close knit and supportive experience, the couple involve themselves across the full range of station activities.

Their whole family is involved, helping with fundraising and attending social events.

Peter said: “The LMA population has an older demographic. The coast needs more medical volunteers who can go to sea and learn firsthand what it means to crew and save lives at sea in all conditions, so younger LMAs would really help.”

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A big thank you for saving my life New lifejacket lockers Have you heard about the new RNLI lifejacket lockers?

As an initiative to encourage more use of buoyancy aids and lifejackets by people in small tenders therefore curbing preventable accidents between moored vessels and the shore – the sailing and motor cruiser centres of Salcombe and Fowey (Cornwall) are trialling special RNLI lockers.

In 2012, the RNLI attended 71 incidents involving tenders and three of these led to

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fatalities. RNLI research has found that boat users can often be put off wearing their lifejacket aboard their tender because of the ‘hassle factor’ of having nowhere secure to store them once ashore, and therefore having to carry them around town in bulky bags.

It’s hoped the new lockers will resolve the problem, thus encouraging more people to wear lifejackets when making the journey from their boats to the shore and back.

n Lifeguards Jo Booth (left) and Jordan Reed

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ast June (2012) RNLI lifeguards were just finishing their patrols at Westward Ho! when they were called to assist a man who had fallen unconscious and wasn’t breathing.

Jordan Reed and Jo Booth assessed the man’s condition and commenced cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). They were joined by paramedics and continued to provide care until the casualty was airlifted in the Devon air ambulance. Meanwhile, RNLI lifeguard Fraser Marchbank reassured family members. At the time Vaughan Lawson, RNLI lifeguard manager for the area, praised the quick thinking of the lifeguards in dealing with such a serious emergency: ‘I’m very proud of the RNLI lifeguards’ for their superb efforts. They were really quick to react to the medical emergency and it just goes to show how essential their training is. They promptly established the man’s condition and were able to start the lifesaving casualty care straight away. They did an

excellent job and we wish the man a full recovery.’

In June this year, 12 months after the incident, the man who they had helped made contact in an email to say simply ‘Thank you for saving my life.’ Drew Fox, who was 47 at the time, couldn’t believe he had suffered a heart attack, and struggled to come to terms with what had happened to him.

He wrote: ‘My family would now be commemorating the first anniversary of my death had it not been for RNLI lifesavers Jo Booth and Jordan Reed who came to my aid after I collapsed. I am unable to put into words the gratitude I feel for having my life saved. I have written and rewritten this email countless times but I will never be able to truly express my thanks for being given the gift of a continued life from these two lifesavers. They will remain in my (mended) heart for as long as I live.’

n A stranded sheep saved by the Ilfracombe RNLI

Ewe wouldn’t believe it!

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ommitment to saving all lives at sea was shown by Ilfracombe RNLI’s volunteer crew members while out on exercise on board the charity’s inshore lifeboat Deborah Brown II in May. The crew picked up the stranded sheep off a beach and brought it back to Ilfracombe Harbour, where it was reunited with its owner.

A routine training exercise for Ilfracombe RNLI’s dedicated volunteer crew was interrupted when they spotted a sheep stuck on a beach at the bottom of the Torrs, to the west of Ilfracombe.

Crew members were put ashore to check on the sheep, which made its own way towards them, and stopped at their feet.

Volunteer personnel at the lifeboat station managed to confirm the identity of the owner, and the decision was made to recover the sheep to the harbour, where the farmer could collect the animal.

Stuart Carpenter, volunteer helmsman at Ilfracombe RNLI, commented: ‘It’s good we got the sheep back to its owner.

‘We were concerned for its wellbeing, as it seemed exhausted and was surprisingly docile, but when it got into its owner’s vehicle it seemed to perk up a bit.

‘The RNLI as a charity exists to save lives at sea, and helping animals not only could save their lives but also stops members of the public and pet owners from getting themselves into difficulty.’

Torbay lifeboat: a bird’s eye view

n The Torbay Severn class lifeboat pictured during the evacuation LAST year the crew volunteers of the Torbay RNLI Severn class allweather lifeboat were called to evacuate a poorly passenger from the liner Queen Mary II. One of the people onboard

the ship took a picture of this very unusual view of the lifeboat, looking down at her as she lay alongside the ship ready to accept the casualty.

A bird’s eye view!

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Sainsbury’s year with Dart lifeboat I

T was last June that the colleagues at Sainsbury’s store in Dartmouth decided that the Dart Lifeboat was to be their ‘Charity of the Year.’

A presentation by the fundraisers convinced them that the RNLI, as well as being a national charity, was also very much a ‘local charity’ because of the local Dart lifeboat team.

The main concern at the time was how Dart Lifeboat was going to use any money that Sainsbury’s raised.

They needed to see a specific use of the funds, as opposed to just a spend. The suggestion was put forward that our ‘newest’ recruit, Richard Eggleton, needed to be trained and to be ‘kitted out’; the total cost being approximately £2,850.

The colleagues agreed that it would fulfil the requirements and Richard was ‘adopted’ by the store. During the year from June 2012 they have raised the magnificent sum of £3,500, which not only fully covers the costs associated with a new lifeboat crewman, but also helps to offset any other costs regarding replacement of equipment.

Sainsbury’s colleagues have raised the funds in many ways such as Sunday evening bingo sessions, car boot sales, second hand book sales and collecting buckets around the store.

The cooperation between the store and Dart Lifeboat has been very strong during the year and there have been a number of instances when both parties have been of great help to each other.

Harry Escott, chairman of the fundraisers

n Presenting the cheque for £3500 at the lifeboat station, from L to R, Jamie Mathys, Dart lifeboat crew volunteer, Kirsty Manning, store ambassador, Jan Wilding, department manager, Pete Bassnett, store manager, and Harry Escott chairman Dart RNLI fundraisers said, ‘It has been a tremendous pleasure working with all the staff at Sainsbury’s Dartmouth.

It may be one of the smaller stores in the group, but it certainly is one with a big heart.’

Unfortunately Richard Eggleton was at sea at the time of the presentation and his place was taken by Jamie Mathys who is not only a Dart lifeboat crew volunteer but also a member of the Dart Fundraising team.

Proven rescue boat design continues to save lives THE Arcania inshore rescue boat, that’s loved by the lifeguards, is now loved by Teignmouth RNLI. First approved for surf lifesaving in 1979 in New Zealand, the Arancia’s are now in use worldwide. Brought into the RNLI in 2001, these inshore rescue boats are hand-built at the Inshore Lifeboat Centre in Cowes.

Sturdy enough for heavy surf conditions, Arancia’s are still light enough for two people to launch them.

The inflatable Arancia, which originated in New Zealand as a surf- rescue boat, is already an established member of the RNLI fleet, introduced for use by lifeguards.

The inshore rescue boat is hand-built to a proven design, tested over many years in extreme surf conditions. It is made from Hypalon-coated fabric, an extremely durable synthetic material, and new RNLI Arancia's are built at the RNLI Inshore Lifeboat Centre in East Cowes, Isle of Wight.

The craft has a fabric floor tensioned by a separate keels on tube fitted under removable floorboards.

This forms a shallow ‘V’ section that allows the craft to maintain speed and manoeuvrability through a wide range of difficult conditions.

The Arancia is 3.9metres long with a range of approx 20 miles, and is powered at Teignmouth by a 15HP outboard engine.

The Arancia A-67 Malcolm Hawkesford I had been donated to the RNLI as a surf life-saving boat, but transferred to the RNLI lifeboats from the lifeguards after use at Perranporth and the training fleet to Teignmouth RNLI where she is ideally suited for work in shallow water up river – she has already completed 3 years service with nearly 50 surf rescues. n The Arancia A-67 Malcolm Hawkesford I is ideally suited for work in shallow water 24

Lifeboat station round-up Exmouth RNLI hen the pagers sound, crew volunteers have no knowledge of the length of time required or indeed the scale of the rescue they are about to embark upon, writes Emma Tarling.

Their continuous training and the charity’s lifeboats, well-equipped with the latest technology, prepare the teams for the most challenging scenarios.

Earlier this year, the determination to find a missing fisherman in the dark and in sub-zero weather conditions, demonstrated the commitment of RNLI crew volunteers: On 28 January, the combined skills and resources of three lifeboat stations on the south Devon coast took part in a search for a lone fisherman who was last seen close to Thatcher Rock, near Torquay. The alarm was raised at around 7pm when the 19ft fishing vessel JCK with one person aboard hadn’t returned to port as planned. It was last seen travelling past Thatcher Rock near Torquay at 6.25pm.

Torbay all-weather lifeboat Alec and Christina Dykes and inshore lifeboat John William Hirst, Exmouth all-weather lifeboat Margaret Jean and Teignmouth inshore lifeboat The Two Annes were all launched to assist in the search for the missing vessel, alongside two Royal Navy frigates, a tug, coastguard rescue teams and rescue helicopters from RNAS Culdrose and Portland Coastguard.The search was coordinated by Brixham Coastguard.

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A 14 metre traditional sailing vessel had called the Coastguard for help when they were about six miles North West of Hartland. With little wind and a flooding tide against them the sail boat was making slow progress, using its engine to try to fight the tide around Hartland, when it experienced engine failure.

Not knowing these waters and with few ‘safe havens’ to be able to make for by sail alone in a freshening North Easterly wind, the captain used his discretion and reported the situation to the Coastguard. Appledore’s all-weather boat was asked to help.

And thus it was in the glorious evening sunshine and calm seas Mollie Hunt, together with seven crew members on board went to the assistance of the French sailing vessel La Belle Angele. There the RNLI coxswain asked the captain to turn around and sail with the tide to the Fairway Buoy whilst escorted by the lifeboat.

There she was asked to drop her sails, take in

n Appledore RNLI escort La Belle Angele to Bideford Bar before towing them in Picture: Nick Cousins/RNLI

n Exmouth all-weather lifeboat Margaret Jean during the search The teams searched for approximately five hours until crew volunteers from Exmouth lifeboat located the fisherman shortly before midnight. He was recovered by Teignmouth RNLI lifeboat crew and taken back to Brixham harbour by Torbay lifeboat. All units then returned to station, each having played an important role in the operation. Exmouth RNLI Coxswain/Mechanic Tim Mock recalls that evening; ‘The search and retrieval of the Torquay fisherman presented different challenges in that we knew he was out there in a relatively small search area, but the sea state was making it difficult to locate a person in the swells.’

Appledore RNLI On Wednesday, May 29, at around five o’clock in the afternoon, the bleepers went off calling crew for the off shore all-weather boat, writes Nick Tait.

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her bow sprit and take a tow by the RNLI’s Mollie Hunt so she could be taken safely over the bar and placed on the spare RNLI mooring where she could be made safe using a spare lifeboat battery and rigged lighting as the sailing boat had also lost all power.

By 8.30 in the evening, still in lovely weather, the rescue was complete and the crew could go home. Several days later after all the repairs to La Belle Angele were complete and they set sail again on their journey, still in nice weather!

Salcombe RNLI The sunshine in early June meant that the volunteer crew of Salcombe RNLI lifeboats were kept busy, as both the all-weather and inshore lifeboats launched four times in five days, writes Matt Davies.

The volunteer crew were called to a variety of rescues from a motor boat with engine trouble, a GB Row 2013 boat with electrical failure, a yacht with steering failure and kayakers in difficulty.

On the morning of Wednesday,June 5, the all-weather lifeboat the Baltic Exchange III was called to the aid of a 25m motor boat which had suffered engine failure three nautical miles South of Salcombe.

Thalassa was towed back into Salcombe harbour where it was put onto a mooring to await repair.

Thursday 6 June saw the launch of the allweather lifeboat in the morning again, but this time to a ‘Round Britain Rowing Boat’ which was taking part in the GB Row 2013 challenge.

n RNLI crew bringing two casualties to the lifeboat by Y boat Picture: Salcombe RNLI The crew of four of Pure Gym had battled all night to repair the electrics which stopped working the previous evening and unable to fix the electrical systems, which controlled watermaking and navigation, the crew contacted Brixham Coastguard for assistance.

Once on scene, the Salcombe lifeboat launched the inflatable Y-Boat to transfer the crew members to the lifeboat and establish a tow with the rowing boat. The casualty vessel was then towed back to Salcombe, mooring the rowing boat on the lifeboat pontoon at Victoria Quay.

Sunday 9 June saw two callouts for the volunteer crew. At 08.01am the crew were paged to launch the all-weather lifeboat to the aid of a 46ft yacht which had suffered steering failure nine nautical miles South of Start Point.

With Miss Chips steering jammed over to port, she was slowly towed back to Salcombe harbour and moored alongside Normandy pontoon.

While the all-weather lifeboat was towing the casualty vessel back into Salcombe, a member of the public had made a 999 phone call to the Coastguard reporting that two kayakers were in difficulty in Starehole Bay, at the entrance to Salcombe harbour. Brixham Coastguard requested the launch of the Salcombe inshore lifeboat Joan Bate who were quickly on scene.

The two men who were kayaking had been spotted by a member of the public walking the coast path and the inshore lifeboat soon established that one of the kayakers had lost a paddle and had become tired and cold.

Both men and kayaks were taken aboard the lifeboat and taken to North Sands beach where their car was parked.

Ilfracombe RNLI Ilfracombe RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crew were kept busy on 8 June, with two calls for aid coming in within four hours, writes Suzie Tubby.

Gillian Cole, volunteer crew member at Ilfracombe RNLI, was at home when her pager went off at around 4.15pm yesterday afternoon.

Less than ten minutes later she was aboard the inshore lifeboat, Deborah Brown II, as it launched to the aid of two people on a jet ski which had broken down at Broadsands, opposite Watermouth Cove. She was surprised to find that one of the couple was a work colleague, whose husband owned the stricken watercraft.

The pair had been riding around before

before returning to the beach to pick up a friend when a stone had become lodged in the impeller.

After attempting to fix the problem for about an hour, they had finally realised that they were unable to rectify the situation, and had alerted the coastguard that they required help.

When the inshore lifeboat reached the scene, volunteer helmsman Carl Perrin assessed the situation and made the decision to tow the jet ski and its passengers back to Ilfracombe Harbour.

Carl and Gillian were called into action again just a couple of hours after leaving the lifeboat station when the all-weather lifeboat, Spirit of Derbyshire, was launched to the aid of a yacht which had engine failure and was drifting onto rocks.

The yacht, Drifter, had reported the trouble to the coastguard, who sent out a request to launch the Mersey class lifeboat at around 8.15pm. Within ten minutes the all-weather lifeboat and her crew, had launched into the sunset and were on their way to the vessel, which had been driven some distance from their original location by the fast moving tide and moderate wind.

As they left the harbour, they discovered that the yacht was now in fact about 50 metres off the rocks behind Ilfracombe Pier, and was still moving quickly towards them.

Realising that time most certainly was of the essence, they pulled alongside the yacht, where crew member Nick Waites was put aboard to reassure the two crew and attach a tow line.

Once the vessel had been secured, it was then towed to its moorings at Watermouth Harbour, before the lifeboat returned to the lifeboat station to be refuelled and made ready for service once again.

n A bird’s eye view from inside Chivenor Search and Rescue Sea King as it meets up with the Spirit of Clovelly inshore lifeboat Dart RNLI Dart RNLI have been called to the aid of two canine casualties in recent months, writes John Fenton.

A couple were feared to be in the water after cries for help were heard from the river on the evening of 2 April. The skipper was rescued from the water by a fellow yachtsman and the Dart RNLI inshore lifeboat located his wife and dog in the dark in their beached dory.

The Dart inshore lifeboat was launched at the request of the Coastguard 5 minutes after they had received a 999 call reporting cries for help coming from the river in the vicinity of the Noss Marina.

A couple had been returning in their dory to their boat moored off Higher Noss Creek. Close to their boat, the skipper fell in and the uncontrolled boat with his wife and dog on board continued up the river in the dark.

The skipper was recovered clinging to his

bow rope by another yachtsman moored nearby, Jamie Hudson Bond, who had searched for him in his tender.

By that time he had been in the 7 degree C water for twenty minutes and was very cold. He took him to the Noss Marina where he was assessed by an ambulance crew and transferred to Torbay Hospital.

The dory, with his wife on board, eventually hit the bank on the Kingswear side of the river further upstream of the incident. There she and the dog were located by the lifeboat crew and were also taken to the Noss Marina.

Tom, a German shorthaired pointer was rescued on Monday 4 Feb. from a rocky ledge at the foot of cliffs at North hallsands, Start Bay, S. Devon after falling 80 feet.

He had several fractures. The Dartmouth Coastguard Search and Cliff Rescue team were called to the cliffs west of North Hallsands beach after a German shorthaired pointer had fallen 80 feet.

They could see the dog on a ledge at the foot of the cliffs and requested that the Dart RNLI inshore lifeboat recover him and reunite him with his owner on Hallsands beach.

When the crew arrived the dog tried to come to them but his left front leg was quite deformed by a fracture. The crew carried the very well natured dog back to the boat. Once at the beach he was gently placed in a padded fish box for his owner to take him off to the vet.

Torbay RNLI A single-handed sailor battling windy conditions and heavy swell was dismasted in the English Channel on Wednesday 3 April, writes Colin Bower.

At 9.45pm, a May Day signal was transmitted from the yacht, Jonna. Brixham coastguard requested the launch of the RNLI Torbay lifeboat, the Severn class Alec & Christina Dykes.

The yacht, a 35 foot sloop, was being sailed single-handed by the owner Christian Liebergreen from Holland. He had set off from Denmark in June 2012 to sail around the world and, having spent 266 days at sea, was battling up the English Channel in an East-North-East wind, gusting at force 6-8 with a heavy swell.

The vessel was driving head to sea in the worst weather the lone yachtsman had seen on his circumnavigation, when he was suddenly dismasted.

The lifeboat was launched at 9.55pm to a position 14 miles North East of Brixham. She was also punching into the wind at around 17 knots, giving an uncomfortable ride for the Torbay volunteer crew.

When the lifeboat arrived on scene, the yachtsman had already managed to cut the mast free. Unable to motor as the engine had run out of fuel, a tow line was secured.

Crew member and Paramedic Gary Fletcher was transferred aboard to check the skipper over, but apart from being slightly disorientated, he was otherwise in good health.

Gary deployed a drogue from the stern of the yacht and the lifeboat started the long tow back to Brixham at approximately six knots arriving back in port at around 2:45am on Thursday morning.

Plymouth RNLI At a recent regional awards ceremony at Poole, two long-standing volunteers received well-deserved gold badges for their dedication.

Husband and wife team, Vic and Glenda Stimson have served the charity for over 50 years collectively, in various roles, writes Emma Tarling.

Glenda has worked tirelessly for the St Germans branch since 2003, where she took on the role of Branch Secretary.

Glenda is a key member of the team and

n Glenda Stimson, St, Germans Branch, and Vic Stimson, Plymouth Lifeboat Management Group Photo: RNLI leads the majority of branch events and fundraising activities.

Glenda was awarded the RNLI Bronze in 2004 and has continued to devote much of her free time to the RNLI. Vic has worked at Plymouth lifeboat station for 31 years.

In that time, he has provided a long-term commitment to St Germans branch with Glenda. In his 31 years, he is the sole committee member remaining and he has served under: Four lifeboats, (Waveney, Aran, Severn and the inshore lifeboat), four Coxswains, four Lifeboat Operations Managers, three Mechanics, seven Deputy Launching Authorities, three Area Fundraising Managers, three Chairpersons, four Treasurers, two doctors and two Padres. The citation for his award said about him; ‘Vic has led the Branch by example, giving so much of his time freely as a volunteer for the station, but also with his work as a volunteer speaker. Vic is a dedicated, enthusiastic and passionate volunteer for the RNLI, who rightly deserves this recognition.’

Vic tells of his yearning to become a volunteer for the charity that saves lives at sea; ‘I was a Chief Officer of a small ship in the southern North Sea and required medical assistance for the Captain,’ he said.

‘I called Harwich Harbour on the VHF radio and they sent the Harwich lifeboat. After examination of the Captain, they decided to take him ashore.

‘I gave the Coxswain £20 as a donation, which was nearly a week’s wages for a Seaman in 1972. I decided that when I came ashore from working at sea, I would work as a volunteer for the RNLI and the rest is history!’

And finally: An incredible 95 per cent of RNLI people are volunteers like Vic and Glenda.

Being a volunteer doesn’t mean you have to go to sea or have professional maritime experience, as the charity welcomes people with all skills - even if you can only spare an hour here and there, we can still find a role for you in the RNLI. Our souvenir shops and fundraising branches near you, whether you live on the coast or inland, are always looking for extra pairs of hands to make the work lighter.

The charity has a register of casual volunteers who can only help on an occasional basis.

There is also a need to help educate both children and adults alike, through arranged talks and roadshows.

If you have time to help save lives at sea, please visit the RNLI website volunteering page at: www.rnli.org.uk/volunteer or telephone 0300 300 9901 for more information 27

Devon RNLI events – summer 2013 IT’S a Year of Adventurous Events for Teignmouth RNLI. A Pirate Party, Garden and Station Open Days and a Paddle and Sail Day are just some of the events Teignmouth RNLI will be putting on this year. All events are open to the public and aimed to raise money for the essential work of Teignmouth’s lifeboat and lifeguards. n RNLI Pirate Family Fun Day, Cliffden, Teignmouth, 7th July 2013 Continuing on the success of the past few years, the RNLI Pirate Fete will be taking place on 7th July at Cliffden inTeignmouth. All children are invited to come along in their best pirate attire on the day to enjoy outdoor games and activities. Entertainment from local choirs, n Salcombe SOS Day provided colour and action dancers and bands will be on throughout the day and they will be a chance to enjoy lifeguards can be found at www.teignmouthseaworthy stalls and take part in pirate themed lifeboat.org competitions and a treasure hunt.

11am to 4pm, entry £3 adults, children free – well The Topsham RNLI Branch have organised a coffee morning in the garden of the wonderful riverside behaved dogs on leads welcome. property Anchor House, Strand, Topsham on 13 July 2013 from 10am to noon. They have also been n Paddle and Sail Day, King George’s Field, provided with a picture (with a gallery price tag if Shaldon, 21st July 2013 £2,900) to auction. The Exmouth RNLI inshore The RNLI has teamed up with SeaSports South lifeboat volunteers visit, call outs permitting, for a West, based in Teignmouth, and Teignbridge Kayak coffee and as an added attraction. This year there and Canoe Club, to offer visitors to this Paddle and will also be a group of local singers entertaining Sail Day on 21st July taster sessions of some of the visitors with sea shanty songs. best water based activities. Visitors will be able to get out on the water and try their hand at sailing, IN Ilfracombe the RNLI team have events planned paddle boarding and kayaking. With an assault for every day in Lifeboat Week, which runs from course, bouncy castle, RNLI stalls and a barbecue Thursday 8th August to Wednesday 14th August and beer tent, provided by Hunter’s Brewery there 2013: on the day, this promises to be a great fun family n 8th August - Greasy Pole Competition day out for all. There will also be a children’s fancy n 9th August - Dinghy Tug of War dress theme of “Beside the Seaside”. n 10th August - Station Open Day 11am to 5pm Free entry, small charge for taster n 11th August - Sponsored “virtual” row to Lundy at sessions, well behaved dogs on leads welcome.

The Lifeboat Station followed by the Annual Lifeboat Service conducted by Canon Michael Rogers n Station Open Weekend, n 12th August - Coffee Morning Teignmouth, August 3rd and 4th 2013 n 13th August - Coffee Morning This annual open weekend offers fun for all. n 14th August - Rescue Day Refreshments and homemade cakes are available.

For more information please contact them via: Sunday has many stalls, games, a barbecue and ilfracombebranch@yahoo.co.uk much more. There will be lifesaving demonstrations with various lifeboats, lifeguards and a coastguard Events at Exmouth RNLI: helicopter. n Open Day 18 August 10am - 4pm (usual meet 10am – 4pm Free Entry. the crew, take a tour of our lifeboats, refreshments, stalls, etc.) n Ugbrooke House Garden Open Day, 11th August 2013 n Mini Rally 15 September from noon. Last year the A fantastic opportunity to gain access to these Jurassic Classic Mini Club helped raise £1,200 on wonderful gardens, Ugbrooke House has kindly their Mouth2Mouth (Weymouth to Exmouth) Mini agreed to open their gates for the day to allow Rally. 80 minis took part, and this year they're visitors to explore the grounds. There will be talks by hoping to break the 100 mark! RNLI volunteers will experienced gardeners, a raffle with gardening prizes be the hosts at the finish line with a pay-to-eat to be won and classic cars to view on the day. The barbeque for all. www.jurassiccoastminis.co.uk opportunity to have a guided tour around the house will also be available for a small charge. This event n Exeter Pirate Day 19 September 11am to 11pm. will be a great way to spend a summer’s afternoon. www.exeter-pirate-day.com. For the third year 11am to 4pm, entry £3 adults, children free – well running, a number of pirate enthusiasts are planning behaved dogs on leads welcome. a pub crawl around pubs and bars in Exeter and raise money along the route. Members of the public n Jason’s Garden Open Day, 24th August 2013 are welcome to join in too!

Visit this magical cliff top garden with a modern Exmouth: stylish design and wonderful panoramic views. n 14 July Sea Sunday service 3pm in boathouse Located just next to Mules Park in Teignmouth this n 20 July Exmouth Flag Day beautiful oasis is only open a few days a year to the n 10 August Budleigh Salterton Flag Day public, so don’t miss out on the opportunity to n 18 August Lifeboat Station open day explore. Refreshments and RNLI stalls will also be n 14 December Family carol service in Holy Trinity available.

Church, Exmouth.

11am to 4pm, entry £3 adults, children free – well behaved dogs on leads welcome.

Exeter RNLI: Further events planned this year to raise money for n 13th and 14th July attending classic car meeting the essential work of Teignmouth’s lifeboat and in Powderham Castle (souvenir sales) Z

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n 17th August attending Christow show (souvenir sales) n 24-26th August Dawlish Warren weekend (souvenir sales).

Honiton RNLI: n Souvenir sales at Honiton Show 1-4 August August Ottery St Mary flag day n 24 and 25 August Sidmouth Regatta (stalls and souvenir sales).

Sidmouth RNLI branch are also involved with the Sidmouth Regatta in August.

Seaton and Beer RNLI: n Beer Lifeboat Week: 6th – 12th July n Duck Race in Beer 7th July n Tea Dance, Mariner’s Hall, Beer, 9th July n Brew for the crew/afternoon tea 11th July Mariner’s Hall, Beer, n Seaton street collection 20th July n Colyton street collection 27th July n Seaton Carnival coffee morning 24th August. n 12th October Annual sponsored walk Brixham Guild and Torbay lifeboat station: n Friday 9th August – Party by the Beach for the RNLI. Entertainment from Joey the Lips and The Blues Brothers Collective. 8pm onwards – tickets £12 or £17 on the night. To find out more visit www.torbaylifeboat.co.uk n 6-8 August Brixham flag days n 9 – 11 August Torbay Lifeboat weekend n 7 November Coffee morning in Brixham Paignton RNLI: n 24th July: Coffee morning in Pier Inn, Paignton n 13th August: Regatta Fireworks Paignton Green n 21st August: coffee morning in Pier Inn, Paignton n 5th September Torbay Lifeboat in Paignton Harbour. n 7th September Coffee Morning in Pier Inn n 26th September ‘Down memory lane’ film/slide show by Paignton Heritage Society Dartmouth – Dart RNLI: n 7th July Blackness Marine fun day n 27th July Garden safari – visit 6 gardens in Dartmouth n 9th August flag day n 10th August Classic car rally n 11th August Fishing Competition n 15th August RNLI Fete n 11th September Talk at Dart Yacht Club by Lynne Tracey ‘in the face of adversity’. n 23rd October Talk by ship’s Doctor.

Salcombe: n July (date tba): Chillington Fete n Saturday 6th July: Collection at Endsleigh Garden Centre n Saturday 21st July: Kingsbridge Charity Stalls Event confirmed n Monday 30th July: Morrison’s collection confirmed n Wednesday 7th August: Salcombe RNLI Open Day and evening barbecue n Tuesday 13th August: RNLI flag day Kingsbridge n Wednesday 14th August: Salcombe flag day n Thursday 15th August: Flag day Hope Cove n 24 – 27th August: Hope Cove Weekend n Saturday 25th August: Jazz on a Summer’s Evening at Cliff House

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