ISSUE 594 WINTER 2010–11 STEPPING UP The nature and nurture of lifeboat leadership ALL HANDS ON DECK SIMPLE PLEASURES STATE OF PANIC LIFEBOAT INVENTOR PLUS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! SWIMMING UNDER THE SKY A SURVIVOR'S THANKS WHO DESERVES THE CREDIT? INF001-594 1 THE RNLI Do you remember learning to swim? Were you our youth of both sexes; to the increase A charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Charity excited to find a new sense of freedom, or of health and strength as well as to provide number CHY 2678 in the Republic of Ireland. frightened of being literally out of your depth? a sufficient guard against accidents.’ The Royal National Lifeboat Institution was founded in 1824 as the National Institution Maybe you never grasped the ‘Art of Swimming’. Fortunately, swimming is now part of many for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck. This delightful term was used in the Lifeboat curricula and the RNLI’s own safety education Today, it provides the 24-hour on-call search of 140 years or so ago to refer to what the work extends to both children and adults. But and rescue service out to 100 nautical miles from the coast of the UK, RoI, IoM and CI; on Editor deemed ‘an important accomplishment, even the best prepared of mariners can find the tidal reaches of the River Thames; and on which belongs alike to all classes of the themselves overwhelmed by exhaustion and selected inland waterways plus a seasonal lifeguard service on appropriate beaches in community.’ In 1872, he wrote: ‘There is hardly must rely on the charity’s emergency response England and Wales. The RNLI is independent a county throughout these isles which has not for their survival. You can read an astonishing from Government and continues to rely on voluntary contributions and legacies for either rivers or brooks large enough to enable account by one such survivor on page 22 – part its income. the Art of Swimming to be efficiently and of our rearranged and expanded Rescue section. Chairman: Admiral the Lord Boyce gcb obe dl rapidly taught. And the Art of Swimming? Be inspired by its Chief Executive: Paul Boissier ‘During the summer months, most modern manifestations on page 16. SUPPORTING THE RNLI If you're not already a subscriber, you can distressing accidents are of constant occurrence help save lives from the beach to the open particularly on large rivers like the Thames and sea by becoming a regular supporter of the the Mersey, which on warm days are often RNLI. Find out more from the Supporter Care Team. crowded with amateur boatmen. Swimming CONTACT DETAILS should form part of the physical education of Liz Cook, Editor • RNLI Headquarters: telephone 0845 122 6999, email [email protected] or write to RNLI, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HZ PREMIUM • Supporter Care Team, for membership, ESCORTED donations, Lifeboat Lottery enquiries: telephone 0845 121 4999, HOLIDAYS BY RAIL email [email protected] or write c/o Headquarters address above • Legacies Team, to find out about gifts in Wills: telephone 01202 663032, email [email protected] or write RNLI/Kelly Allen Photo: to him c/o Headquarters address • Family association, for retired staff and operational volunteers: telephone 01202 662222 • Lifeboat Enthusiasts’ Society: email [email protected] • The Editor: telephone 01202 662254, email [email protected] or write The timeless Art of Swimming – as demonstrated here by Boscombe RNLI lifeguards c/o Headquarters address above on a chilly January morning in aid of RNLI SOS Day. See page 4 to find out more about • Advertising in the Lifeboat: SOS Day 2011 and what other, warmer things you can do to get involved! Landmark Publishing Services 7 Adam Street, London, WC2N 6AA Tel: 020 7520 9474, Fax: 020 7520 9475, Corrections and clarifications See mczmapping.org for the details, to upload the location of email [email protected]. In the Autumn 2010 issue, we wrongly identified the lifeboat marine wildlife, notable habitats and geological features you pictured on page 35 as Sennen Cove’s own, when in fact it have seen and information about your own marine activities. was a relief lifeboat temporarily on service at the station. rnli.org.uk In the same feature, we confused the situation regarding In Review, we misquoted the price of Hidden Depths: Women Marine Protected Areas and Marine Conservation Zones and of the RNLI by Sue Hennessy. The correct price is £16.99. the work of the many organisations involved. BOOK WITH 100% CONFIDENCE FULLY BONDED, FULLY PROTECTED Blind and partially sighted readers can choose to receive an audio tape or CD version as well as the magazine – this is a free service. Cover picture: Ordinary people doing Please contact Tracy Carey on 01202 662254 extraordinary things. See page 10. Photo: RNLI/Nigel Millard or email [email protected]. 2 CONTENTS CONTENTS 3 Photo: WinnsnapperPhoto: Photo: RNLI/Phil Monckton Tyler Dominick Photo: 30 52 Photo: RNLI/Nigel Millard Photo: RNLI/Nigel Millard Photo: RNLI/Ian Leask Photo: 22 45 29 16 Photo: RNLI/Rachel Martin Photo: the Lifeboat NEWS including FEATURES RESCUE VOICES REGULARS 4 Three new Tamars WINTER 2010–11 ISSUE 594 10 SPIRIT 20 ROUND-UP 42 MORE THAN A WORK THING 34 REVIEW The Lifeboat is published quarterly by the RNLI, 5 Don’t miss these events! Master and commander Climbing crew, a troubled trawler and more Volunteer and Principal Naval Architect A thriller, missing whisky and some West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HZ. The complex roles of today’s lifeboat Holly Phillips knows a bit about boats traditional shanty singing © RNLI 2011 . All rights reserved. Reproduction is permitted 22 ‘I HAD LITTLE CHANCE … ’ 6 New deal with China Coxswain and Mechanic with the prior consent of the RNLI. Opinions expressed by Brian O’Carroll recounts his frightening 45 YOUR SHOUT 41 LOTTERY authors are not necessarily those of the publishers. Care is 7 All hands on deck! taken to ensure that editorial information is correct at the 16 COASTAL LIFE ordeal and the relief of being rescued by Thanks from Crete, admiration from Your chance to win £5,000 and help save time of going to press but is subject to change. 8 Celebrity artwork Swimming under the sky Arklow lifeboat The Netherlands, and bravery from lives at sea Any products or services advertised in the Lifeboat by More and more swimmers are taking Shetland third parties are not in any way endorsed by the RNLI and 26 END-OF-SEASON DRAMA 46 LAUNCHES to rivers, lakes and the sea for pleasure the RNLI shall not be responsible for the accuracy of any Vigilant to the last, Pendine lifeguards snatch July–September 2010 saw more than information contained in such advertisements nor has it investigated or verified any of the information. Advertising 36 CLOSE UP a kayaker to safety hours before the close of 3,300 launches revenue helps subsidise production costs of this magazine. I invented the lifeboat! season 52 THEN AND NOW All recipients of the Lifeboat also receive RNLI Compass How can three 18th-century gentlemen for their region. News in other regions can be viewed at 29 SATURDAY NIGHT, SUNDAY Mother and son visit Penlee lifeboat on a rnli.org.uk. all make the same claim? Are you interested in receiving RNLI news by email? MORNING significant birthday If so, you can sign up to our enewsletter at rnli.org.uk/email. A lone sailor is saved in a rough, 8-hour Publications and Design Manager: Mark Dunne; rescue by The Lizard lifeboat Editor: Liz Cook; Researchers/Writers/Assistant Editors: Mairéad Dwane, Bethany Hope, Jon Jones, Anne Millman, 30 GLAD TO BE SAFE Rory Stamp, Carol Waterkeyn; Proofreader: Anne Millman; Design Manager: Laura Wiltshire; Designer: Jonathan Lotriet; Atrocious weather pushes Bridlington Publications Assistant: Tracy Carey; inshore crew to the limit to save a Acting Print Manager: Zoe Nother; windsurfer Printer: Pindar, Scarborough. 33 SURF AND TURF Fenit crew get a tricky 4am shout to a dark, isolated island Kinghorn RNLI lifeboat Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Tommy Niven B-836 launches from her trailer 4 NEWS 5 Papal blessing RNLI Chief Executive Paul Boissier had the honour of meeting Photo: RNLI/LauraPhoto: Ashman Pope Benedict XVI and HM The Queen on 16 September during a Papal visit to Holyrood House in Edinburgh. Paul joined a number of charity bosses and heads of non-government agencies who were presented to His Holiness and Her Majesty during the VIP reception. The Pope asked Paul what he did, and blessed the work of the RNLI when he heard Support Our Stations all about saving lives at sea and the work of the volunteer crews. Paul says: ‘It was a very moving experience. I’m sure that SOS Day, the RNLI’s biggest fundraising day, is many RNLI crew members and supporters will be heartened on Friday 28 January. On last year’s SOS Day, by his blessing.’ supporters raised over £500,000. RNLI crew members are well known for going RNLI/NathanPhoto: Williams the extra mile when it comes to saving lives at sea, RNLI/PaulPhoto: Benney Open house so it should come as no surprise to learn that their The RNLI Headquarters support of RNLI SOS Day is no less committed. site, which includes Exchanging the River Thames for the rowing the Lifeboat College, machine, crews from Chiswick and Teddington opens its doors to the raised over £10,000 last year by completing a public on 9–10 July. mammoth 24-hour rowathon, supported by Join us in Poole, Dorset, Olympic Gold Medal-winning Rower Greg Searle for exciting displays, (pictured), while Dover’s volunteer crew completed demonstrations and lots a 142-mile triathlon on exercise bikes, rowing and Home on the beach of activities for children! running machines.