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.
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. 
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.
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.
Since April twelve teams have been competing in the Swanage RNLI Croquet knockout competition. This is the third year that this event has been run as a fundraiser and it is once more proving to be very successful. Every Wednesday evening six Teams compete on the Lawns adjacent to the Cricket Club in North Swanage and go about the business of quietly raising money but also bringing people together who perhaps are not associated with the Lifeboats in any other way. Teams participating include a local Dental Practice, the Lions Club, a group called Probus, the table tennis club, some bowlers, a team from Swanage Sailing Club, a team from National Coastwatch Institute, Church Teams, a Swanage Hospital team, a group of Golfers and also individuals who have formed their own teams.
Ian Brown, station officer of the Coastguard in Swanage was been having a few problems last week. 
Meet Paul Boissier (or to use his full title Vice Admiral Paul Boissier Royal navy), he has been named today as the successor to Andrew Freemantle as the Chief Executive officer (formerly known as the Director) of the RNLI. Like his predecessor, he has had a glittering and distinguished military career before being head-hunted to take up what must be perhaps one of the most prestigious jobs within the charitable sector. To quote the press release:
After a shout or an exercise, the lifeboat is washed down by all present then, while the rest of the crew get off the boat, the mechanic must complete the remainder of his tasks...refuelling the boat, re-stocking any stores used, re-ordering anything which requires it, fixing anything which has been broken before being able to finish up. Sometimes this takes 10 minutes, sometimes several hours...by which time most of the rest of the crew have disappeared.
Last Sunday was an exercise morning and the Coastguard Helicopter was out for the exercise. Unusually they spent lots of time working with the ILB much to Gav's delight (he was the only helm).
You know. There have been all sort of exciting things happening here at Swanage Lifeboat over the last few days but I can't concentrate on blogging becuse we are no longer leading the Dorset Muesli Competition. If you are reading this and haven't recently voted (from what I can work out you can vote more than once), please do so. You'll make me a very happy man.
Matt is rapidly becoming one of our most versatile and competent crewmembers. His experience as a technician over at RNLI HQ in Poole has meant that he brings a lot of solid experience to the crew in his role as an emergency mechanic. He is also a very capable boat handler and spent most of last Wednesdays exercise driving from the USP. 
