Happy ending

The ILB was out again yesterday searching for a pensioner who had Alzheimer's and had gone missing. The ECHO reports today that she has been found alive...good news.

Sometimes

shouts come out of the blue and fall through the gaps. Yesterday afternoon the ILB was about to launch on exercise when a member of the public asked them to investigate a friends boat which was overdue and they thought might have broken down. Tom, Oli and Ty quickly launched, located the boat and recovered it to the council slipway in textbook fashion. Hardly expected at this time of year and on Monday afternoon to boot.

And of course I knew nothing about it until I got the latest launch bulletin this morning in my inbox! Each Monday I turn my pager off as I leave for work. This is because our new ones keep ringing until they are turned off, unlike the old ones which used to time out after a set period of time. So of course, when I get home and turn it on, any messages which have been sent in the interim will have been lost to the ether.

Anyway, for what it is worth, well done lads.

Congratulations!

So, this morning at 6.45 my wife Liz, Crewmate Steve, next-door neighbour Joe and acquaintance Paul leaped off Swanage pier (thanks Russ for opening up and Chad and Cameron for seeing us off). Their intention? To swim from Swanage Pier to Bournemouth Pier!
Becky was there too in her kayak and much appreciated it was too. The weather was fine with just a slight ground swell running.

A little more than an hour later all four of the swimmers passed Old Harry and were looking very strong.

Friends Tom and Rachel came down from Hamble with their RIB to provide additional safety cover. Rachel had also provided deliciously welcome food for the boat crews.

And so, at 1031 the swimmers arrived at Bournemouth pier and after touching the structure continued in to the beach for a glass of champagne.

A big congratulations to you all. I for one could never dream of swimming anything like 8.3 miles so the whole endeavour appears to me a truly awesome feat of endurance. Well done!

Liz was swimming to raise money for the Lewis-Manning hospice which provides palliative care to 600 local people each year. If you feel inclined you might make a donation on her JustGiving page. I hope that you feel able to make a contribution towards their valuable work.

When the hurlyburly's done

it still remains for someone to wash down the boat, stow all of the kit properly and then give the engine a bit of TLC. Here Matt is flushing it out with fresh water through the muffs.

First Witch: When shall we three meet again
In thunder, lightning, or in rain?
Second Witch: When the hurlyburly's done,
When the battle's lost and won.
(Macbeth; Act 1, scene 1)

Rough weather launch

I never manage to feature many photos of ILB due to me now spending almost all of my time on the ALB. However, last night due to weather conditions we didn't launch the ALB so I was around to take a few snaps of the ILB boys (and girls) practising their rough weather launch and recovery techniques.

This is a tricky manoeuvre which requires precise timing and solid teamwork. Communication is tricky so it is vital that it is practised and that all members of the team share a common vision of what is trying to be achieved. Here the Helmsman is watching the waves and also maintaining contact with the winchman who will be ready to slip the rope at his command.

Once in the water the launch crew push the trolley deep enough so that the Helmsman can drive the boat purposefully off the trolley and through the first breaking wave.

Here the ILB has disappeared into the trough behind the first wave and only the masthead light is visible. Slightly un-nerving for any mothers watching, but all normal run of the mill stuff really!

And they're through, safely past the surf zone and heading out to sea. All that remains is to come back in and get safely back onto the trolley and dry land...

Crazy?

While at the boatshow last weekend, I bumped into a charming (but possibly slightly bonkers) fellow called Tom McNally. He intends to sail across the atlantic later this year, not once, but twice, in an impossibly small boat: 3 foot ten inches long! This is not the first time he has done this sort of thing. Indeed, he has previously held the record for having sailed the smallest boat ever (5 feet 4 1/2 inches) across the 'big pond'. Since being beaten by an American sailor (5 feet 3 1/2 inches) he has decided to have another crack at the record. He claims to have no interest in fame or money, he just enjoys sailing small boats and having a challenge!

Anyway, many people might think that he is completely off his rocker...as it happens I don't share this opinion. I think that he's certainly eccentric (and possibly doesn't give enough consideration to his own personal comfort) but quite sane.

Good luck Tom!

Both boats

The advantage of having two boats is that they often offer complimentary strengths. For example, during last night's shout the vessel in difficulty had drifted into shallow water near Old Harry which could well have made it difficult for the Mersey to approach given it's draft.
However, with the ILB available, we were able to use them to transfer people as necessary and pass the tow line whilst the Mersey waited further out to sea in deeper water.

Once the tow was attached, John stayed aboard and the ILB returned to station while the Mersey commenced a tow up into Poole harbour.

Another example is when we have a casualty on the shore under the cliffs, the ILB can get there faster and get into the shore, while the Mersey can provide the stable platform often needed to treat casualties upon.

So, we count ourselves lucky that we have two such fine, but different boats (as no doubt did last nights casualties).

Rubbish photos

I've got a thing about bad photos.

I've discovered that, despite my best efforts, not every photo I take turns out anything like I had hope it would. Last Wednesday evening was a case in point and pretty much every photo was an unmitigated disaster. However, for some reason, I still like some of them. Perhaps it's because...uncluttered with detail and out of focus they just somehow give a sense or 'feel' of what it was like to be there?

Anyway, here's us heading south away from the Jurassic coast towards France (only temporarily).

And I liked this one too because of the way that if gives the impression that the cabin is somehow a warm and cosy place to be...

Down under up here...

Last night's exercise was another good one. We had along some full time Coastguard employees from New Zealand who are, I think, here in the UK spending some time with the RNLI and our Coastguard learning how we do things. Part of this was to be brought over to Swanage by our old inspector Andy Whyte for a trip out to sea with a 'proper' crew.

Matt spent the first part of the exercise showing Nick how to use the drogue, which went well.

Cheryl, an area manger from the South Island of New Zealand, got to have a go at helming the boat.

And while we were there a truly spectacular sunset took place which showed our patch of to it's very best...I think the Kiwis were impressed by our scenery.

Quickie

The ILB was out for a quick shout this afternoon. I was stuck at home roasting marshmallows over and open fire while on my own with the girls. Hence I have few details about the shout just now. All I do know is that the person aboard the casualty vessel was well equipped and recognised that he needed help so fired a flare to bring attention to his plight. While I'm not sure 'exactly' who was aboard the jetski, I do suspect that someone might be buying a few beers after the exercise tonight!

(Photo: Swanage Lifeboat photo archive)

The day of the Dragon

Powerboat racing is fast, exciting and not without it's fair share of danger. Today we were called out to assist with the rescue and recovery of the crew of one of the boats taking part in the Classic Cowes Torquay Cowes offshore race. It would seem that they had experienced a problem with their exhaust manifolds and before they were aware of the severity of the problem their craft had filled with too much water for their pump to cope with.

By the time we arrived on scene the vessel was mostly submerged with only the last 10 - 15 feet of the bow remaining visible above the waters surface. Luckily both of the crew had been recovered safely and uninjured by one of the event safety craft.

Once we had got the tow rigged we began a lengthy tow back towards Old Harry we were joined by Poole ILB with several more pumps so that they could try coming alongside and pumping the boat dry.

Unfortunately this didn't work so we decided to tow the vessel into shallow water where we would anchor it safely for a suitably equipped salvor to come and deal with it later.

Poole ILB assisted with this before heading back off towards Poole...hopefully they found their way alright ;-)

And there it is, safely in the shallows ready to be salvaged. Rare is the occasion when we don't manage to bring the casualty vessel ashore...on this occasion it just wasn't possible with the equipment we had. Ultimately we have to remind ourselves that our job is purely to save life...the toys just have to look after themselves sometimes.

Lost at sea

It would appear that our speciality this season is becoming the recovery of errant inflatables. A couple of weeks ago we were beginning to think that we were having a quiet season and suddenly we are almost as busy as we can remember.

yesterday we launched to a report of a motor cruiser which had lost it's life-raft overboard and had managed to get the painter or drogue line wrapped around it's propellers.

The raft proved hard to recover due to it being full of water so we put Daz into it to bail some of the water out. Once that was done it was recovered to our deck and the vessel taken in tow back towards Swanage.

After a couple of mishaps we got underway and returned to the bay where the vessel was attached to our mooring so that a diver could have a look at the props to see what could be done.

Soon afterwards all of the wayward rope was cut from the shafts and props and the vessel continued on it's way to Poole.

Erratum

It turns out that the card shop didn't win the competition...they came second. Tilly Whims came first and Blooms the florist came third. Well done to you all and apologies for the mistake.

Winners

Congratulations are in order for the Card Shop in Swanage who are this year's winners of the much coveted 'Swanage Lifeboat Lifeboat Week Window Dressing Shield'.

This is hotly contested each lifeboat week by most of the shops in Swanage but, my girls had to agree with the judges, this years' win was richly deserved by the Card Shop.

Well done to all who took part and in particular the Card Shop!

My afternoon...

Well, where do I start...we had two shouts today.

The first was somewhere about a mile south of Anvil Point light and involved collecting a dinghy which had become filled with water and snapped it's painter. Please don't ask me why we were asked to deal with this 'emergency' as I really wouldn't be able to answer (without becoming incoherent), however, we did launch, we did spend 30 seconds hooking it with our boathook, we did lift it carefully on deck and then turn for home where we put it on our mooring ready to be collected by it's owners later in the day. Presumably they were happy not to have had to deal with it themselves...

No sooner were we re-housed and on our way home, or back to work (for those who have the miss-fortune to have to work during the months of July and August), than our pagers went off again. This time we were tasked to head to St Alban's head to search for a yacht which had been spotted seemingly in trouble. When, after an hours searching in vain, nothing was found, we headed back to the boathouse.

The only exciting part of the afternoon was for Sam who had the first shout of her lifeboating career...well done Sam, you acquitted yourself well and I look forwards to the beer soon!

In the absence of a photo worth seeing...here's another of the lifeboat service, this time from the camera of Rev Will Watts.

Another perspective

Gorgeous and talented Sophie (long suffering partner of B) was kind enough to send me this photo last night. Like many, Sophie is one of the unsung supporters of Swanage Lifeboat. She's almost always there in the thick of it when help is required and seems to happily tolerate 'B' spending endless hours at the boathouse. Of course there are dozens more who, like Sophie, support us in the same way...so thanks to all of you for your fabulous help and support.

The photo shows almost the entire crew aboard the Mersey after a long weekend. Somehow everyone looks happy and relaxed, just how it should be. Thanks Sophie, a lovely photo.

Lifeboat service

Somehow I've managed to miss out Saturday night...needless to say it was a great night and the crowd seemed to be larger than ever before.

After a busy day yesterday, including an impressive helicopter display, it was time for a final clear up and then our annual 'Lifeboat Service'. Both boats were re-housed then launched again to make their way round to the Pier for the service...once more conducted by Rev Tony Higgins, our Lifeboat Chaplain (and a previous crewmember I might add).

There was a great crowd in support and, in a typical Martin style twist, our good Coxswain had decided that we should expand the service and turn it into more of a service of the sea with a variety of local boats present. What a great idea, we even had the joy of seeing one of the Gigs filled with four generations of the extended Marsh family. Wonderful (and welcome to the lifeboat family Cameron)!

Roger had cut short a mackerel trip to join us on Precious.

Geoff Marsh and Jeff Lander had also made the effort to attend so a big thanks to them too.

And so it was time for a final circuit round the bay before a thorough wash-down then rehouse. A busy but, successful and mostly enjoyable weekend.

Build-a-boat

As I type the build-a-boat competition ins underway. Equipped only with one sheet of ply, a few screws, one tube of glue and a few other bits and bobs, each team has to build a craft capable of navigating a course on the sea with one crew member onboard.

Two teams turned up additionally equipped with a case of Stella, some potent looking cider and a sack load of enthusiasm (though seemingly little understanding of the art of Naval Architecture).

Nick Harris' creation is looking good.

And Team Brian & George are creating an optimistic design once again.

The sea trials take pace at about 4.30 this afternoon so make sure you come down to watch...it generally provides a few laughs!

Naturally both our Lifeboats will be launching to provide whatever assistance may be required!

Let's partay!

So last night was the first big night of the Lifeboat Weekend. What a party it was. Coming as it did at the end of probably the best day of summer so far, it was an incredible success.

The boys behind the bar seemed to be having a great time as usual though they were as busy as I can ever remember it being.

My mate John Deering and his band, the Wiseleys, came and played two fantastic sets which really got the evening rocking. As with all the bands this year they gave their time and incredible talent for free...nice one guys! If you are reading this in the West London area and need an awesome party band, give them a call...

KT was awesome as ever on her Viola (like a violin but bigger and deeper I am told).

NuffSaid also turned up for yet another tremendous performance. Without doubt Nick and his gang are turning out to be one of the premier acts in the area. Great stuff which really got the night off to a rocking start. Thanks!

And the crowd loved it all.

If you missed it, come on down to Prince Albert Gardens this evening and witness the fun all over again.

Flag Day

So today, as well as being the first big night down at Prince Albert's Gardens, is also the day when our supporters in town hit the streets and shack their tubs raising money for the RNLI. I've just had a quick scout around town and here are a few photos of the great and the good doing their stuff.

Katrina (Mrs Cox'n) was out with one of her lovely dogs shaking her funky thing outside of Boots.

Meanwhile Robin was lost in translation with a couple of visitors from Latvia.

Almost every shop door had some kind supporter encouraging passers by to help us in what we do.

Katrina's sister, Belinda was there too on the sunny side of the street.

Well done and thanks to you all for you valued support...

Too many Florence nightingales
Not enough robin hoods
Too many halos not enough heroes
Coming up with the goods
So you though you'd like to change the world
Decided to stage a jumble sale
For the poor, for the poor
(The Housemartins - Flag Day)