RNLI MINEHEAD HARBOUR FEST. AUGUST 13TH & 14TH 2016 www.mineheadraftrace.co.uk
HAROUR FEST AHOY! Minehead’s biggest outdoor fund-raising event is ready to set sail again
RAISING MONEY FOR THE LIFEBOATS
It costs around £410,000 a day to run the RNLI, all of which is generously donated by the public.
FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY
Minehead Harbour Fest 2016 Following last year’s very successful Harbour Fest this year’s event is planned to take place on the weekend of August 13th and 14th 2016. The two day event is again a partnership of the Old Ship Aground Pub, Fatyak Kayaks and the Minehead RNLI crew, and should see a weekend of fun on the water, great bands, children’s entertainment, and many more attractions. The main aim of the weekend is, of course, to raise vital funds for the lifesaving work of the RNLI. Last year we presented the charity with a cheque for £8500. Saturday will again see Fatyak Kayak races across Minehead Bay. These races are open to all and there
are some great prizes; £250 for fastest paddler, Fatyak Hono for fastest female paddler, Fatyak Hono for fastest family/double entry and ‘Grom Squad Sessions’ provided by Channel Adventure Ltd for fastest youth paddler. If you don’t fancy getting wet why not just come down to the Harbour and enjoy the spectacle, listen to some great bands at the Old Ship Aground, or let the ‘Story Teller’ entice you with tales of far off lands. We are planning to have even more interesting stalls this year to tempt you, and the Bouncy Castle man should be back. We expect more singing from the Minehead Street Choir and, who knows, Minehead’s very own Hobby Horse may visit again. Look out for the RNLI’s mascot Stormy Stan!
Sunday afternoon will see the RNLI Raft Race across the bay. Like last year, the race will be in two parts, the more serious rafters completing a longer course and the fun / fancy dress rafters just trying to make it to the Harbour. Here’s hoping the Valiant Soldier Ladies make it off the beach this year, and new rules on rafts carrying ‘live cannons’ should prevent any false starts caused by the Watchet Sea Scouts! Sunday Evening will see the close of the weekend with a fantastic free firework display on the harbour. This display has again been provided by local businesses. So please bring the kids down, have a pint, watch the fireworks, and listen to some great music.
There are many family friendly activities to enjoy both on and off the water.
LIVE MUSIC ALL WEEKEND SPONSORED BY THE OLD SHIP AGROUND
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FATYAK
RNLI Minehead Harbour Fest. 2016
RNLI Minehead Harbour Fest. 2016
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This publication was created by Add-On Media e: adam.james7@icloud.com Printed by Newbury News Limited Newspaper House, Faraday Road, Newbury Tel: 01635 564516 www.weprintnewspapers.co.uk
Serving excellent Food and Real Ales 7 days a week Bed & Breakfast available Mike and his team are always pleased to support the Raft Race every year - look out for our 3 rafts!
Tel: 01984 640223
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RNLI Minehead Harbour Fest. 2016
Mart Road Minehead
01643 703265 Best Wishes to all the Rafters!
FIREWORK DISPLAY 9.15 PM SUNDAY 14TH AUGUST
RNLI Minehead Harbour Fest. 2016
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Proud to support Minehead Harbour Fest 2015 3 The Parks, Minehead. 01643 702983 www.brjames.co.uk BR James Opticians 'Quality in Optometry'
Working in Partnership with West Somerset Council Veolia ES 14 - 16 Brunel Way Minehead Enterprise Park Minehead TA24 5BY Skanska Infrastructure Services Highway maintenance partner to Somerset County Council Proud to be supporting the Minehead Raft Race since 2006 www.skanska.co.uk
Tel: 01643 707593 www.veolia.co.uk Proud to sponsor the Minehead R.N.L.I. Raft Race
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THE
WHEELHOUSE R E S TAU R A N T
27 The Avenue Minehead Tel 01643 818245
‘Serving delicious homemade food at sensible prices’ We are proud to support the RNLI on Raft Race Day
RNLI Minehead Harbour Fest. 2016
RNLI Minehead Harbour Fest. 2016
MINEHEAD LIFEBOAT
MINEHEAD LIFEBOAT 2016 UPDATE
2016 has been a busy year for Minehead’s RNLI volunteers with lots of training and a few shouts. In January most of the crew completed the RNLI ‘Casualty Care’ course. During the training course RNLI volunteers are trained to treat a range of injuries and illnesses as well as being taught to use the various specialist
pieces of first aid equipment which are carried on board the inshore lifeboats. Treatment is aided by a set of waterproof check-cards that use flow-charts covering every aspect of injury, illness, immersion and triage. The course was kindly hosted by the Old Ship Aground. Also this year, two volunteer crew have attended and passed the week long initial boat training course at Poole; Karla Thresher and Martin Stanton. In February several crew attended a one day initial RADAR training course hosted by Channel Training. Again, this is essential training as the Atlantic 85 carries RADAR and radio DF (direction finding) equipment. With respect to Shouts this year, we fortunately haven’t had many yet but the few we have had have been challenging as they were mostly at night so we have had to fall back onto training. The crew would like to thank all the members of the public who generously support our ongoing work. We couldn’t do it without you and we appreciate your continuing support.
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RNLI Minehead Harbour Fest. 2016
BRIAN HOBBS & SONS General Blacksmiths
Modular Access, Ramping, Handrails, Balustrades, Wrought Ironwork, General Steel Fabrications and Steel Sales The Forge, Post Office Lane, Minehead
01643 702782 Email: m.hobbs51@btinternet.com
RNLI Minehead Harbour Fest. 2016
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Hedley Price Funeral Directors Family Established Independent Funeral Directors 24 Hour Personal Service covering all of West Somerset
Mart Road, Minehead 24 hour Phone
11793
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01643 703111
HARVEY JONES
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18 Park Street, Minehead 01643 702231
Comprehensive range of Menswear Stockists for: Magee, Wellington, DG’s, Bruhl, Viyella, Double Two, Peter Gribby, Classic Italian Knitwear, Johnstons, Failsworth, Sunspel, HJ, Jockey
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4B Mart Road Enterprise Park, Minehead TA24 5BJ
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RNLI Minehead Harbour Fest. 2016
RNLI Minehead Harbour Fest. 2016
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THE BANDS / SHOUTS
RNLI Minehead Harbour Fest. 2016
THE BANDS BROUGHT TO YOU BY
THE OLD SHIP AGROUND MINEHEAD LIFEBOAT STATION Latest List of Shouts
Bare Bones Trio - Saturday 17:30 til 19:00 A fantastic Somerset based trio with a brilliant and talented delivery of superbly chosen classic and modern cover tracks
Date
Details
13/07/16
Minehead's D class lifeboat launched to a windsurfer who had become separated from his board just off of Minehead. The gentleman was safely recovered to Minehead and then his board and sail was also recovered.
30/06/16
Both Minehead Lifeboats launched at 2am to a report of 2 persons cut off by the tide somewhere near Kilve. They were located by Minehead's Atlantic 85 just west of Lilstock Tower with aid of local coastguards. A swimmer was sent ashore and confirmed they were ok to wait for the arrival of Minehead's D class lifeboat. Both persons then taken off the beach by Mineheads D class and transferred to the Atlantic 85 who then ferried them safely back to Watchet Marina to waiting coastguards.
26/06/16
Both boats launched following a 999 call from 18 lost Duke of Edinburgh students. Students located by the Minehead boats at Greenaleigh beach. Confirmed fit and well and advised of a safe walking route to waiting Coastguards who would escort them back to Minehead.
06/06/16
Both Minehead Lifeboats launched to a report of 2 people cut off by the tide in Lynmouth Bay. One person rescued by the coastguard Helicopter and the other rescued by Ilfracombe D class lifeboat.
31/05/16
Minehead's Atlantic 85 launched to a small cabin cruiser with engine failure in Minehead Bay. Boat and 2 crew safely towed back to Minehead harbour.
20/3/16
Both boats launched 8pm to a Mayday distress call from a yacht just off Watchet Harbour. A 25' single keel yacht had run aground on rocks just west of the harbour entrance. With help from local coastguards the yacht was anchored ready for the incoming tide. Both boats relaunched at midnight . The vessel was held steady by the D class until it could be floated off and navigated through the rocks and metal stakes. The Atlantic 85 then towed the vessel to Watchet marina. Operation finished at 03:30
3/2/16 afternoon
Minehead's D class tasked to look for a person reported to be in trouble but stood down during the launch.
3/2/16
Both Minehead boats launched at 1:45 am to reports of a person in the water off Dunster Beach. The crews worked in very challenging conditions to conduct shoreline and inshore searches, eventually stood down by HM Coastguard at 3:25 am. Shore Crew at Minehead Lifeboat station arranged the heavy weather net recovery to enable the Atlantic 85 and crew to safely make the carriage.
6/12/15
Atlantic 85 launched to a surfer in trouble in Lynmoth Bay. The surfer was located trapped on a rock and recovered by helicopter, crew recovered his board.
2/10/15
Minehead's D class was launched to assist with the rescue of a man stuck in the mud at Blue Anchor beach. Coastguard Rescue Teams were able to extract the man and safely recover him ashore.
1/10/15
While out on exercise Minehead's Atlantic 85 responded to a 'Pan Pan' message from a yacht in the Flat Holm / Steep Holm area reporting sighting a white flare. Search carried out but eventually called off after Milford Haven Coastguard believed it was almost certainly lights from planes in a 'holding pattern' at Cardiff airport.
18/09/15
Both Minehead Lifeboats launched to join a search with local coastguards for a lost foreign walker in the Hurlestone Point area. Search carried out; walker eventually found and a safe refuge arranged by local coastguards.
10/09/15
D class launched to a report of a swimmer in trouble in Minehead Bay. Search carried out but nothing found. Later sightings confirmed the swimmer had made it a shore safely.
05/09/15
Both Minehead Lifeboats launched to a 26' yacht which ran aground off Dunster Beach following trouble with its sail. Crew and local coastguards secured the grounded yacht and both boats re-launched at 21:00 to assist with the recovery operation back to Watchet when the tide came back in.
04/09/15
Atlantic 85 launched to a 23' fishing boat with engine failure in Blue Anchor Bay. Boat and crew safely towed back to Minehead
25/08/15
D class lifeboat launched to some children cut-off by the tide at Blue Anchor. The children were helped ashore by before the lifeboat arrived on scene.
17/08/15
Both Minehead Lifeboats launched at 22:00 to join a search with the police helicopter and local coastguards in Minehead Bay. Milford Haven Coastguard had received reports of a swimmer, in a wet-suit, in difficulty. Extensive search carried out but nothing found.
01/08/15
Atlantic 85 diverted from attending the Lynmouth Raft Race to locate people cutoff by the tide at Ivy Stone. 2 people located along way up the cliff and were subsequently recovered by helicopter
26/07/15
D class lifeboat launched to some kayakers in trouble in Minehead Bay. One of the men was struggling to get back on his kayak after losing a paddle and both were being taken rapidly offshore in the tide and wind. Both men and kayaks safely recovered back to Minehead harbour.
21/07/15
Both Minehead lifeboats asked to launch to search for a missing 11 year old girl in Minehead Bay. The girl was found safe an well just as the boats were in the process of launching.
17/07/15
D class launched to safely escort the yacht Sequel to Watchet where it will now be transported to Eastbourne via road.
16/07/15
Atlantic 85 launched agin to yacht Sequel. The yacht was located 4 miles north of Foreland Point after the skipper requested assistance as he did not know his exact location. Yacht towed safely back to Minehead.
15/07/15
Atlantic 85 launched to search for a 25' yacht 'Sequel' somewhere in Blue Anchor Bay. Then retasked to assist Police and Coastguards in a search for some young people who maybe cutoff by the tide at St Audries Bay, however nothing was found. Atlantic 85 was then joined by Mineheads D class and Barry Dock lifeboat to continue the search for the yacht. The boat was eventually located 4 miles off Porlock by Barry Dock. The skipper was given advice on the best course of action but decided to stay at sea
14/07/15
Both Minehead lifeboats launched to a man onboard a fishing boat in Porlock Bay suffering with chest pains. First aid was administered until the casualty was taken by helicopter to Swansea
30/06/15
Minehead's Atlantic 85 launched to people cutoff by the tide a St Audries Bay. Boat was stood down shortly after the launch when the people were confirmed safe.
07/06/15
Minehead's D class lifeboat launched to a fishing vessel aground just off Minehead. The vessel managed to 'unground' itself. The vessel and crew were confirmed ok and proceeded back to Watchet in company with another fishing boat.
31/05/15
Both boats were launched to 4 people cut off by the tide at Kilve. The D class managed to veer down into the cliff and safely recover all 4. They were then all transported back to Watchet Marina.
03/05/15
Minehead's Atlantic lifeboat launched to some kayaks in trouble off Foreland Lighthouse. Seven kayakers located in two groups ashore - all requiring assistance, one with an injured ankle. Crews from Minehead and Ilfracombe lifeboats recovered all kayakers and kayaks safely to Lynmouth harbour and a waiting ambulance.
16/04/15
Atlantic lifeboat called out to join a search with Barry Dock Lifeboat to a report of red flares sighted off Minehead. Search stood down by coastguard as a false alarm with good intent.
06/03/15
Both boats were launched to 2 fishermen cut off by the tide near the waterfall in St Audries Bay. The D class crew recovered the men who were then transferred to Watchet Marina by the Atlantic 85.
05/03/15
D class launched to a unattended boat just off Minehead following concerns from the public, boat confirmed moored and safe.
22/02/15
While out on exercise the D class helped a fishing kayaker who was struggling to make it back to shore in the strong tide and wind.
The Jury - Saturday 19:30 til 21:00 A funky Rhythm & Blues 5-Piece from Weston Super Mare playing great, guitar driven, funked up, bluesy combos, fronted by the wit and power of Joy Russell and Jon Hooper
Snappa - Saturday 21:30 til 23:00 A high energy, hugely talented 3-Piece covers band with a twist, playing covers from the 1950's to present day, from rock and funk to reggae and punk.
Acoustic Roots - Sunday 18:00 til 19:30 A fabulous Minehead 5-Piece band, giving us a great show of feel-good acoustic covers from across the decades.
Little Betty - Sunday 19:45 til 21:15 Another brilliant local Minehead group, a 4-Piece band playing covers in a variety of genres in their own fantastic and unique style
Soulville Express - Sunday 21:45 til 23:15 Soulville Express is a vibrant five-piece soul band, playing a huge selection of classic soul, Motown, disco and funk that's bound to blow you away.
RNLI Minehead Harbour Fest. 2016
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D A E H E N I M
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RNLI Minehead Harbour Fest. 2016
MUNCHIES CAFE Mart Road, Minehead
Eat-In or Takeaway Quality & Value
01643 703905
8 Park Street Minehead TA24 5NQ
01643 709 000
4 Floyds Corner, Minehead TA24 6UF
Tel: 01643 706944
Unit 4A Minehead Enterprise Park Mart Road Minehead Somerset TA24 5BJ Tel: 01643 702660 Fax: 01643 706424
Specialists in:
tel: 01643 704760 www.daisynailandbeauty.co.uk
Friday Street Minehead TA24 5UA
Contract Glazing, Double Glazing, Patio Doors, Leaded Lights, Louvres, Mirrors
Roman Glass are please to support the 2015 Raft Race
RNLI Minehead Harbour Fest. 2016
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PROGRAMME
RNLI Minehead Harbour Fest. 2016
PROGRAMME OF EVENTS 13th & 14th AUGUST SATURDAY 13th AUGUST
SUNDAY 14th AUGUST
11.00 RNLI Minehead Harbour Fest opens!
12.00 RNLI Minehead Harbour Fest opens!
11.30-12.30 Minehead Street choir.
12.30-13.30 Minehead Street choir.
12.00 Fat Yak Registration - Minehead Harbour
Throughout The Day
Throughout The Day Fat Yak taster Sessions (register at The FatYak Stall) Sailor’s Hobby Horse, Clive Pig Storyteller, Balloon Twister, Trampolines & Slides, Bouncy Castle and more. Food Stalls & Shopping Stalls open all day.
Fat Yak taster Sessions (register at The FatYak Stall) Sailor’s Hobby Horse, Clive Pig Storyteller, Balloon Twister, Trampolines & Slides, Bouncy Castle and more. Food Stalls & Shopping Stalls open all day.
15.00 - 17.00 Raft race 14.00 - 16.30 Fat Yak races. 17.30 - 18.00 Raft race Prize Giving 16.30 - 16.45 LA Dancers 16.45 - 17.00 Fat Yak Prize Giving 17.00 - 17.30 MC & Music 17.30 - 19.00 Bare Bones - A brilliant and talented collection of classic and modern cover tracks.
18.00 - 19.30 Acoustic Roots - Feel-good acoustic covers from across the decades
19.30 - 19.45 MC & Music 19.45 - 21.15 Little Betty - Covers in a variety of genres in their own fantastic, unique style
19.30 - 21.00 The Jury - A fantastic Somerset based funky Rhythm and Blues 5-Piece band.
21.15 - 21.45 Fireworks Display!
21.30 - 23.00 Snappa - Covers from the 1950's to
21.45 - 23.15 Soulville Express - A skilful dose of
present day from rock and funk to reggae and punk.
Soul, Motown, Disco & Stax
FIREWORK DISPLAY SUNDAY 14TH AUGUST 9.15 PM
RNLI Minehead Harbour Fest. 2016
RNLI RAFT RACE
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RNLI RAFT RACE 2016
Raft Race Prizes First serious raft Team Derek Williams’s cup and bottle of rum.
First local raft home The Old Ship Aground OSA cup and barrel of ale.
First fancy dress Channel Adventure cup and team Sunset Session.
Most original raft
FatYak Race Prizes ÂŁ250 for fastest paddler. FatYak Hono for fastest female paddler.
Mike Arnold cup and bottle of rum.
Best dressed support boat Mike Martin Trophy and a bottle of rum.
Team raising most funds (awarded after the event) 6 Honno boards from Fatyak.
Best fancy dress House Doctors Cup and a bottle of rum.
FatYak Hono for fastest family/double entry. Grom Squad Sessions provided by Channel Adventure Ltd for fastest youth paddler.
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RNLI Minehead Harbour Fest. 2016
RNLI Minehead Harbour Fest. 2016
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RNLI Minehead Harbour Fest. 2016
RNLI Minehead Harbour Fest. 2016
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RNLI Minehead Harbour Fest. 2016
RNLI Minehead Harbour Fest. 2016
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RNLI Minehead Harbour Fest. 2016
RNLI Minehead Harbour Fest. 2016
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RNLI Minehead Harbour Fest. 2016
RNLI Minehead Harbour Fest. 2016
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RNLI Minehead Harbour Fest. 2016
RNLI Minehead Harbour Fest. 2016
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Repairs& Reglazing to Windows and Doors Proud sponsors of the fireworks display, Minehead harbour Fest
● Steamed updouble glazed unit replacement ● Replacement window handles, hinges& locks ● Door locks, handles, letterboxs, hinges fitted ● Replacement weather seals ● Pet doors fitted ● Additional security locks CALL MINEHEAD 0800 195 75 77 FOR A FREE QUOTATION
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RNLI Minehead Harbour Fest. 2016
A YEAR IN PICTURES AT MINEHEAD RNLI LIFEBOAT STATION
RNLI Minehead Harbour Fest. 2016
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MINEHEAD LIFEBOAT STATION: FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS How old is the lifeboat station? The station was built and opened in 1901 to close a perceived gap in lifeboat cover between stations at Lynmouth to the west and Watchet to the east. It operated conventional wooden lifeboats until 1973 when the last of them was replaced with faster inshore lifeboats.
How big an area does the station cover? Both Lynmouth and Watchet stations have since closed so Minehead lifeboats are responsible for providing rescue cover along some 30 miles of the Somerset and Devon coastline from Lynmouth in the west to Hinkley Point in the east. Its ‘flank’ stations are Ilfracombe to the west and Burnham-on-sea to the east though Barry Dock on the coast of South Wales, at some 11 miles distant, is actually closer than either.
Why do you need two boats? Because we have some particularly difficult coastline to cover. At low tide there are dangerous mudflats to the east of us and at high tide the sea comes right in to the foot of the highest sea cliffs in England. So we need the large, Atlantic 85 class boat for general work but the smaller D class, which has a very shallow draught, for specialist rescues close inshore or among rocks.
Why is the Atlantic 85 so called? Because it’s the latest version of a class of rigid inflatable lifeboat originally developed at Atlantic College over on the South Wales coast and which until recently maintained its own lifeboat station.
How long does it take to launch? We are generally at sea within seven or eight minutes of being called. All the volunteer crew carry pagers and are on call 24 hours a day. We are normally called out in response to a 999 call to the coastguard service which then requests our assistance, though the decision to launch is actually taken by the station’s Local Operations Manager or one of his deputies.
Why do you no longer fire maroons to call the crew? Partly because pagers are more reliable, partly on grounds of cost but mainly because over the years the institution experienced a number of misfires (including one at this station) with unfortunate consequences. We realise that this means fewer people now know when the lifeboat is being launched but the RNLI is introducing audible alarms – klaxons – at some stations and may well do so here.
What equipment do the boats carry? The D class is fitted with radio, night vision equipment and a comprehensive first aid kit, including oxygen. The Atlantic 85 comes with radar and VHF direction finding equipment and also has intercom communications between the crew and VHF radio via their helmets. It too carries a full first aid kit and oxygen. Both boats have hand-held searchlights and carry illuminating parachute flares for night-time rescues.
How do you launch? The Atlantic 85 is kept permanently hitched to a waterproofed tractor which pushes the carriage down into the sea. The engines can be started up on the way down fed by water contained in a tank on each side of the carriage and once the boat is afloat the helmsman simply opens the throttles and the boat drives out. Launching at low tide takes longer because the boat has to be pushed quite a long way out to find deep water. The D class is launched similarly with its own tractor, kept in a tractor house at the rear of the main building. Recovering the Atlantic 85 in rough weather
involves driving the boat into a net rigged across the carriage. The boat is then towed up the beach, jacked up and turned round ready for launching again
How many times a year do you launch for rescues? That varies according to the weather, though in an average year we expect to receive between 20 and 30 calls for assistance.
What sort of rescues do you carry out? With the second highest tidal range in the world the Bristol Channel is a particularly hazardous stretch of water. A lot of our work involves people cut off by the rising tide or who are caught out when the weather turns nasty and they can’t return to harbour because the tide is out. We may need to bring injured fishermen or ship’s crew ashore, search for missing persons, or tow in broken-down motor boats – though we are not a towing service. Sometimes, sadly, we have to recover bodies of people who have drowned, or fallen or jumped off cliffs.
Do you work with helicopters? Frequently. Helicopters are invaluable for search and rescue missions and for winching people off inaccessible locations such as cliff faces. Sometimes it’s also necessary to take casualties off the lifeboats in order to get them to hospital for urgent treatment. This is a difficult manoeuvre: if either of our boat were stationary underneath the aircraft they would be blown around by the downdraught from the rotors so the transfer has to be done at speed with the boat keeping station precisely underneath the aircraft’s starboard side hatch so the winchman can be put down safely. It’s something which we practice as often as possible during joint exercises – in the station you can see some photos of this being done.
Is it ever too dangerous to launch the boats? Yes it can be. Each boat has its own operational limits – in theory. In reality they could cope with rougher conditions once at sea. Our real challenge here is whether they can be safely launched and recovered – both critical operations because the boats are most vulnerable in breaking waves. On occasions we have been able to launch safely but the weather has deteriorated during the rescue mission and conditions on the beach have been too dangerous for the boat to be recovered, so the crew have had to stand off until things improve. But much depends on the wind direction here. We are particularly vulnerable to easterly and northerly winds but the hill behind the station provides almost total shelter from anything between SW and SE so while a strong southerly gale may create appalling sea conditions on the Welsh coast here we could still have a calm sea. Ultimately the decision whether to launch or not rests with the Local Operations Manager or one of his deputies.
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How do you join the lifeboat crew?
What happens if they capsize?
Most people join because they like the idea of volunteering and of playing an important role in the local community. Once they come and see us and express an interest we’ll take them out for a familiarisation trip – which gives them a taste of what the job’s all about. If they then like us and we like them they are signed up to start their training as probationers. Once they do join they generally find they have become members of what has been called ‘the best club in town’ with an excellent social life offsetting the demands of training and operational calls.
The D class can be righted by the crew climbing on to the upturned hull and using their weight to pull it over. The Atlantic 85 is fitted with an air bag inflated by a gas bottle activated by the crew once they have swum clear of the boat. It generally rights itself in 11 seconds.
What kind of people join? All kinds. The current crew have all sorts of jobs from blacksmith to optician. We have engineers, shopkeepers, drivers, salesmen, a security guard and a care assistant. In the past the crew has included doctors and an accountant. These days relatively few people who join already have sea-going experience but the training soon remedies that.
What are the qualifications for joining? The age range for joining is from 17 to 45. You need to be fit and active, a reasonably good swimmer and fairly strong. You have to be prepared to get wet and cold and to learn new skills. You also have to live reasonably close to the station. Above all you have to be someone who can fit in and work as a member of a team because the lifeboat service runs on teamwork. Retirement is compulsory at 55 because of the risk of injury, particularly back injury, thereafter.
What’s the training like? Pretty intensive. There’s an awful lot to learn from navigation to first aid, radio procedure and knots to how to handle a boat in rough weather. The crew also have to have a detailed knowledge of the entire stretch of coastline, including navigation marks and how the tide runs in certain places so they always know the conditions and challenges they are likely to encounter in various kinds of weather. Most of the training is carried out at the station with regular assessments by RNLI inspectors and before anyone can be fully passed out as crew he or she must complete a week’s intensive training at the RNLI College in Poole. Once qualified they may return there for further specialised training, for instance if they want to qualify to helm (or drive) either boat. Then there are regular training launches every Sunday morning and two evenings a month throughout the year. Training a lifeboatman costs £1,404.
What kind of clothing do they wear? In these types of lifeboat getting cold is always a risk, and being cold can impair your ability to work quickly and efficiently in an emergency. So the crew wear one-piece thermal suits topped by one-piece dry suits with seals at the cuff and neck and built-in boots. They also wear crash helmets, and lifejackets fitted with flashing lights activated by sea water and gas canisters to inflate them automatically should they fall overboard in rough weather.
What’s the pay? How many crew are there? We currently have a pool of around 18 sea-going crew, including probationers. We also have shore crew who are responsible for launching and recovering the boats. It’s also the crew’s responsibility to keep the boats, equipment and station in good order.
Are they all men? No: four of those 18 are women and we are proud to have a higher proportion of women crew members than most lifeboat stations. Nationally women make up some eight per cent of the total of the 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crews. Women must pass the same demanding tests as men to become crew members – and so are every bit as capable of doing the job expected of them. Our women crew members have been welcomed in the last three years and have made a great contribution to the life of the station.
All the crew are volunteers. They do receive a small payment of a few pounds for each mission they go out on, to defray loss of earnings, but do not take the money. It goes into a crew fund to pay for the annual barbecue and Christmas dinner – a tradition established when inshore boats were first stationed at Minehead 40 years ago.
How many crew do the boats carry? Three on the D class, four on the larger, Atlantic 85.
How fast do the boats go? The D class has a 50hp outboard motor and does 25 knots. The Atlantic 85 has twin 110hp outboards, a top speed of 35 knots and can remain at sea for four hours before needing to refuel.
Where are the boats built and what do they cost? Both classes are built at the RNLI’s workshops in East Cowes. The current cost of the D class is £41,000 and the Atlantic 85 costs £214,000.
How do you raise money locally? Through sales in the shop and through street collections and various events the crew themselves organise such as dances, barbecues and the annual raft race. This amounts to around £33,000 a year – roughly one-third of the station’s annual running costs.
How many lifeboat stations are there? The RNLI has 235 operational stations with 346 boats (some stations, such as ours, have more than one). It covers 19,000 miles of coastline around the whole of the UK and Ireland. There are also three stations on the Thames at Tower, Chiswick and Teddington: Tower station is actually the RNLI’s busiest.
How many calls a year do lifeboats answer nationally? In 2013, the last year for which full statistics are available, lifeboats launched 8,304 times, rescued 8,384 people and saved 325 lives.
What does the RNLI cost to run? Annual running costs are around £144 million plus another £40 million-plus capital costs. Income in 2013 was £182.7 million, £118 million of it from legacies.
What is the nearest point on the Welsh coast opposite? It’s Aberthaw power station (coal-fired) which is usually clearly visible and is a little over 11 miles away.
What’s that concrete structure 200 yards off the beach? It’s the surviving end of the Victorian pier which was in place until the second World War when it had to be demolished because it was in the line of fire of coastal defence guns on the harbour. The guns were never fired but the pier was never rebuilt. The approach ramp to the pier can still be seen to the east of the concrete apron in front of the lifeboat house.
Atlantic 85 Net Recovery
ALL ABOARD!
32 www.mineheadraftrace.co.uk
RNLI Minehead Harbour Fest. 2016
THE OLD SHIP AGROUND Mineheads Iconic Harbourside Pub The Old Ship Aground food is very much a part of what we do and is very much ‘River Cottage' in style - if we cannot raise it or grow it, you can be sure its locally sourced, from home raised Mutton to oven fired hams you can be assured it’s the very best of quality. With our small farm on the hills of Exmoor we have a real connection with traditional farming and understand the true importance of good produce to make good food. With this in mind we have created menus which are both varied and interesting, We also run with daily Specials - a wide range of interesting dishes & tastes to match, such as our own cured Pork Crackling with a Sweet Chilli Dip or Beans on Toast the Old Ship Aground way, with our own Baked Soda Bread, toasted and topped with Beans & Cheddar melt with a spicy Lea & Perrins sauce. Fish always has a big presence on our specials, we are by the sea after all. With the addition of our very own smoker we can cure and smoke such things as bacon, fish and meats, which is always a great way to enhance our offering. You can check what's happing in our kitchen through Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus or on our web site www.theoldshipaground.co.uk Hope to see you soon Julian & Team
Great Beer
Great Food
Enjoy our traditional pub meals and ‘river cottage style’ dishes. See our trip advisor reveiw for food.
Seafood Tuesdays
You can be sure to find a variety of Real Ales, Ciders & Wines. Have a look in our CAMRA entry in the good pub guide
Italian Night
Accommodation
Our 12 en-suite bedrooms are all individually decorated. See our trip advisor reveiw for accommodation.
Live Music
Live Music every Friday night from 9.00 pm - FREE ENTRY. Allways a great night out
Pie & Mash Night
Special Menu
(EMP] 7TIGMEPW A DIFFERENT CHOICE EVERY DAY... ‘Every Tuesday is a true ‘Festival of the Sea’, with a large choice of Seafood from Fresh Oysters, Scallops, to a selection of different Fish’
‘Every Wednesday Night, we turn into an Italian Trattoria with an authentic menu and wine list to boot come and enjoy a true taste of Italian’
Home made Old english pie & mash every Thursday night.
Look out for our special menu a different choice every day.
Our contact details The Old Ship Aground , Quay Street Minehead TA24 5UL , Tel O1643 703 516 E: info@oldshipaground.com www.theoldshipaground.co.uk Opening hours From 11.00 every day , full menu always available seven days a week