More new winch wire

Dave has been busy once more. He's just sent us all an e-mail to let us know that the ILB winch has just been fitted with a dynex rope the similar (but not purple & a lot smaller) to the ALB one. It is a lot more costly than the old steel ones but hopefully will last a long time as it won't corrode when it gets wet. Also it won't kink and should be a lot nicer to handle. It is also slightly longer which should help with low water recovery.

(Photo: Dave)

Busy but quiet

So it was a quiet lifeboating weekend. Though the weather was good, and there were plenty of people about on the water, they all managed to keep themselves safe and avoid calling upon our services.

Making good use of this lull a group of us took to the water on Sunday morning for a spot of wakeboarding/kneeboarding and waterskiing. And good it was too!
Nick got up first go on a wakeboard...well done mate


John Mono-skied and carved up some huge turns.


Dee was looking good and got some small air under her board.


And, doing her bit for the tourist board took in the sight of Tenacious which was visiting.


Daz was also looking good and getting some good air.

A fun morning, thanks John for the boat.

Both boats

Due to a rather busy day yesterday I failed to mention yesterday that both boats were busy on Wednesday afternoon with another shout. This time it was a yacht which had gone aground in slight seas just to the west of Chapman's Pool. Luckily for them it was a rising tide so the merest of pulls from the ILB soon brought them off into deeper water. Once there the bilges were checked by the skipper for water ingress before the vessel was declared fit to proceed on her passage to Weymouth. Once they were on their way both boats headed back to station. Job done.

One of the great things about shouts like this during the working week is that there are always crew out of town so lots of our less experienced crew get a shout. Good for experience and good for moral.

That reminds me....

Lifeboat week is coming up soon. We'd all love you to come so here is the up to date list of events to tempt you.

Sun 9th 10:00 - 16:00 Comp, Swanage Angling Club
Sun 9th 11:00 - 16:00 Lifeboat Fair, P.A.G.
Sun 9th 19:30 - 23:00 Shakespeare Production, P.A.G.
Mon 10th 19:00 - 21:00 VIP Boathouse Guided Tours (Tickets £10)
Tue 11th 17:30 - 19:00 Junior Race, Sailing Club
Wed 12th 10:00 - 16:00 Book Stall, Swanage Seafront
Wed 12th 19:00 - 21:00 VIP Boathouse Guided Tours (Tickets £10)
Wed 12th 20:00 - 23:00 Fun Quiz, Swanage Con Club
Thur 13th 18:00 - 21:00 Pilot Gig Race, Main Beach
Thur 13th 18:30 - 20:30 Senior Race, Sailing Club
Thur 13th 20:00 - 00:00 Beach Party, The Ship Inn
Fri 14th 10:00 - 15:00 Flag Day street collection
Fri 14th 18:00 - 23:00 Live Music, Bar & BBQ, P.A.G.
Sat 15th 11:00 - 17:00 Cream teas, music & stalls, P.A.G.
Sat 15th 12:00 - 16:00 Build a boat competition, P.A.G.
Sat 15th 16:00 - 17:00 Build a boat race, Stone Quay
Sat 15th 17:00 - 18:30 Raft race, Main Beach
Sat 15th 18:00 - 23:00 Live Music, Bar & BBQ, P.A.G.
Sun 16th 12:00 - 16:00 Cream teas, music & stalls, P.A.G.
Sun 16th 12:00 - 16:00 Lifeboat Festival, P.A.G.
Sun 16th 19:00 - 20:00 Lifeboat Service, Swanage Pier

Forgotten shout

In the rush to reach the weekend I completely forgot to add the details of last Friday's shout. The Alb was launched to got to the assistance of a 50' Fairline motor cruiser which thought they might have struck an underwater object and damaged their sterngear.
Here is a copy of the report from our station website:

The cruiser had earlier radioed in to say that they had lost drive on one engine possibly caused by hitting an underwater object. They were returning home on one engine when they started to smell burning coming from the engine room, there also seemed to be water in the bilges. Portland Coastguard immediately requested the launch of Swanage's All Weather Lifeboat and vessels in the area were asked to make their way to the cruiser. The lifeboat launched and headed to the casualty's position, 6Nm East of Durlston Head. The salvage pump was made ready just in case. Once on scene station mechanic, Dave Turnbull, was put aboard to assess the situation. He was able to confirm that the boat was taking in a small amount of water through the shaft seal due to catastrophic failure of the shaft coupling. A tow line was connected and the slow tow back to Poole commenced.
The speed was kept to 3 knots as the damaged shaft was overheating and could damage its seal further causing more water to leak in. Once outside Salterns Marina a crew from the yard came aboard and took the boat in tow so she could be lifted straight out of the water. The lifeboat was then free to return to Swanage.

(Photos are from the boats camera - photographer unknown)

Even after all...

It is not uncommon during an exercise to use a vast amount of the kit that we carry onboard. The list of equipment which we get out might include the 'x-boat', first aid kits, stretcher, emergency steering, salvage pump, drogue, tow rope etc etc. Once back in the boathouse much of this can be re-packed and stowed away for next time. However, a lot of it needs to be dried off first. Consequently, the morning after an exercise, the boat looks a little bit like a gypsy camp with the boat festooned with kit waiting to dry. If we subsequently get a shout there is bit of a scramble to return all of the kit to its proper stowage before we launch. Otherwise Dave will do it over the course of the next day or two as and when the kit drys.

Even after all
You just survive soldier
And your soul is beautiful
And your soul is good
Ride on and turn the people on
(Even after all - Finlay Quaye)

On the pull

We are all lifelong learners nowadays...at least that's what our government tells us. So last night practise got underway for this summers RNLI Gig racing challenge. Martin and Karina (Mrs Coxswain) took charge and introduced a select group of novice/beginner lifeboatcrew to the pleasures of Gig rowing. Actually, to be honest, Martin just sat there along with the rest of us and did exactly as he was told by Katrina. It quickly became clear that I was being given an opportunity to learn first hand from a veritable Yoda (this comparison does not apply in respect of Karina's looks, stature, posture or comlexion) of man management teaching...

One thing quickly became apparent. When Karina is in charge, she knows exactly what she wants doing, is very capable of putting those expectations across, and woe betide anyone who doesn't do as they are told!It was certainly a pleasure to witness Martin relegated to sitting up at the front of the boat with a rope in his hand.
He was even spotted doing a bit of manual labour.

And afterwards we enjoyed a very pleasant cup of tea at the pierhead courtesy of Jill (Ty's Mum).

All good fun...