ISSUE 585 the AUTUMN 2008 THE RNLI IS THE CHARITY lifeboatTHAT SAVES LIVES AT SEA Top SETH Gear LAKEMAN SAFETY FIRST THE FOLK STAR NOT FASHION REMEMBERS PENLEE FREEMASON FEST FCB2 TRIALS FIVE FISHERMEN SAVED FEAR AND FUN PLUS PAGE 6 PAGE 10 PAGE 22 PAGE 34 INF001-585 WELCOME 1 Dear Reader What a face! Weathered, steely, reliable … old have been inspired by the heights of endeavour Our Autumn cover shows a remarkable image, reached by so many dedicated sportspeople. startlingly sharp despite its vintage, of a remarkable A previous Lifeboat magazine interviewee and THE RNLI man. Henry Freeman is still famous, both for his Paralympian, Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, drew A charity registered in England, Scotland and lifesaving achievements and for his own survival a parallel to the RNLI people she so admires: they the Republic of Ireland. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution was founded in 1824 as against the odds: when his lifeboat capsized, he was too experience the daily, hard grind of training to the National Institution for the Preservation the only crewman wearing a cork lifebelt. be ready for the explosive moment of action that of Life from Shipwreck. Today, it provides the Ever since its foundation in 1824, the RNLI has might bring joy and glory. 24-hour on-call search and rescue service out to 100 nautical miles from the coast of striven to advance the technology of its lifeboats In 2007, quadriplegic yachtsman Geoff Holt the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland; but also of its crews’ protective equipment (see lost all sense of glory – and almost his life – at the on the tidal reaches of the River Thames; pages 16 and 52) and training. Freeman followed start of a rather different record-breaking attempt. and on selected inland waterways plus a seasonal lifeguard service on appropriate the norm in being a fisherman but coastal Now, he inspires others to achieve the apparently beaches in England and Wales. The RNLI communities have since changed. Preparing modern impossible too (page 34). Glory was far from the is independent from Government and continues to rely on voluntary contributions crews for any eventuality aboard a complex and mind of RNLI Lifeguard Chris Boundy, when he and legacies for its income. powerful lifeboat is thus an expensive business, risked his own life to save another this Summer, Chairman: Sir Jock Slater gcb lvo dl a fact that the charity’s Train one, save many but joy eventually came (page 26). Chief Executive: Andrew Freemantle cbe campaign has brought powerfully into focus. Sorrow is closer in Seth Lakeman’s homage SUPPORTING THE RNLI At the end of August, the campaign’s 5-year to the Penlee lifeboat crew lost at sea in 1981 You can help save lives from the beach fundraising target of £10M for crew training was (pages 31 and 46) but he turned to celebration to the open sea by becoming a regular supporter of the RNLI. Find out more from triumphantly met, a year early. I’m delighted to in September, joining the Team GB Olympic the Supporter Care team. relay the profound gratitude of RNLI crews – and Yngling crew to launch RNLI SOS day, the largest their families – to everyone who supported this fundraising day in the charity’s calendar (page 13). CONTACT DETAILS • RNLI Headquarters: telephone cause. But the costs are of course ongoing: at about The RNLI is an inspiring organisation to work for 0845 122 6999, email [email protected] £4M every year training still needs your support. and I hope you find much to inspire you in this issue or write to RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, As I write, the Olympics have drawn to a close of the Lifeboat. Dorset, BH15 1HZ and the Paralympics are about to begin. Young and advert • Supporter Care team, for membership, donations, Lifeboat Lottery enquiries: telephone 0845 121 4999, email [email protected] or write c/o Headquarters address above Liz Cook • Legacies team, for finding out about gifts Editor in Wills: telephone 01202 663032, email [email protected] or write to John Marshall c/o Headquarters address • Family association, for retired staff and operational volunteers: telephone 01202 662222 • Lifeboat Enthusiasts’ Society, for those passionate about rescue craft: Friends of the RNLI Loch Fyne Call 01442 879097 and quote RNLILBM1 email [email protected] Various promotions in all Loch Fyne Volvo Some special offers that can benefit restaurants, see You get a discount on a new car, the RNLI • The Editor: telephone 01202 662254, you and the RNLI www.lochfyne.com/lifeboatappeal receives £500. www.rnli.org.uk/volvo email [email protected] or write c/o Headquarters address above Amazon Marinecall weather forecasts Wedding List Giving • Advertising in the Lifeboat: At least 5% of your order value is donated 60% of profits on 10-day sailing forecasts Set up a charity donation wedding list Landmark Publishing Services, telephone to the RNLI www.rnli.org.uk/amazon goes to the RNLI. Call 0871 200 3985. www.weddinglistgiving.com 020 7692 9292, email [email protected]. Bishop Skinner Marine Netstationers Talisker You get discounted insurance and the RNLI 5% of order value is donated to the RNLI. From November, receives 2.5% of sales and renewals www.rnli.netstationers.co.uk Sainsbury’s will be rnli.org.uk www.bishopskinner.com 0800 783 8057 stocking a Talisker NEW! Recycling – ShP for charity gift pack with £2 from every sale Buckingham Covers Recycle your old mobile phones with ShP donated to the Limited-edition RNLI first-day covers and and raise money for yourself and the RNLI. RNLI. Talisker stamp sheets in aid of the RNLI memorial Call 01524 580911 or visit and the RNLI are www.buckinghamcovers.com 01303 278137 www.shpforcharity.co.uk to find out more also encouraging NEW! Johnson Recycling Ltd supporters to host NEW! Switch with Which? Burns night events Recycle your old toner and inkjet You save money on your fuel bills and cartridges. To find out more call between 25 January the RNLI receives £10–£20. Visit and SOS day Freephone 0808 144 1800 or switchwithwhich.co.uk/rnli or call email [email protected] 30 January. 0800 533 011 quoting RNLI (see page 11) To receive a Talisker/ RNLI Burns pack call Lifeboat Tea The Sea magazine 4p is paid to the RNLI for every pack sold, 0845 121 4999 or Discounted subscriptions for members, and visit rnli.org.uk/sos. Cover picture: Whitby’s Henry Freeman or all proceeds if bought at an RNLI shop up to 10% of the price donated to the RNLI. whose life was saved in 1861 by his www.williamsontea.com 01582 813810 innovative kit. See pages 16 and 52 Photo: Sutcliffe Gallery, Whitby 2 CONTENTS CONTENTS 3 Photo: Graeme Sweeney Vandvik Claire Photo: 16 6 24 22 12 52 Photo: Laura Wiltshire Laura Photo: Photo: Mike Rushworth Mike Photo: 26 46 the Lifeboat NEWS including FEATURES RESCUE VOICES REGULARS AUTUMN 2008 ISSUE 585 The Lifeboat is published quarterly by the RNLI, 10 Another new station for the RNLI! 6 SPIRIT 4 INSIGHT 46 ONE OF THE GOOD FOLK 31 REVIEW West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HZ. The lifesaving craft Rescues from Loch Ness to Kilrush Musician and singer Seth Lakeman is More than just great reads ... © RNLI 2008. All rights reserved. Reproduction is permitted with the prior consent of the RNLI. 11 £10,000 eco grant received ‘Brotherly love, truth and relief’ inspired by the sea Opinions expressed by authors are not necessarily in practice 22 ‘VESSEL OVERDUE’ 38 LOTTERY those of the publishers. Care is taken to ensure that editorial information is correct at the time of going 12 Working with animals and children ... Five fishermen owe their lives to 49 LIFE AT THE SHARP END Lucky winners and future prizes to press but is subject to change. 16 CLOSE UP new RNLI-developed technology An unusual double life Any products or services advertised in Top gear 40 LAUNCHES the Lifeboat by third parties are not in any way 15 Beating the tax man endorsed by the RNLI and the RNLI shall not be Kitting up through the decades 26 UP CLOSE AND 50 YOUR SHOUT Three months of lifeboating activity responsible for the accuracy of any information Readers’ letters and emails at a glance contained in such advertisements nor has it VERY PERSONAL investigated or verified any of the information. 34 COASTAL LIFE The lifesaver and the witness Blind and partially sighted readers can The call of the sea 52 THEN AND NOW choose to receive an audio tape version as Lifejackets put to the test well as the magazine – this is a free service. Freedom for all, whatever 29 A LONG TRAWL All recipients of the Lifeboat also receive RNLI your disability Drinking 90 litres of water Compass for their region. News in other regions can be viewed at rnli.org.uk. Offshore members, and those Governors who opt to, receive Offshore too. Members of the children’s club Storm Force receive Storm Force News. Occasional donors receive Lifeline. Publications and Design Manager: Mark Dunne; Editor: Liz Cook; Researchers/Writers/Assistant Editors: Mairéad Dwane, Valerie French, Anne Millman, Rory Stamp, Carol Waterkeyn, Claire Vandvik; Proofreader: Anne Millman; Designers: Stephen Berriman, Mark Dunne, Chris Walker Photo: Jonathon Lotriet, Laura Wiltshire; Publications Assistant: Tracy Carey; Print Manager: Sonia Harris; Printer: Pindar plc, Scarborough. 4 RESCUE RESCUE 5 2 LATEST FROM LOCH NESS 3 MERSEY MAKES HER MARK As reported in the last issue Exmouth lifeboat volunteers received of the Lifeboat, Loch Ness a Mersey class lifeboat in May as a 2 lifeboat station joined the replacement for their Trent.