THE RNLI IS THE CHARITY THAT SAVES LIVES AT SEA ISSUE 617 | AUTUMN 2016 NORTHERN LIGHTS Meet the lifesavers at the northernmost RNLI community PLUS: READ LIFE- CHANGING RESCUES From Cork and the Isles of Scilly to Pembrokeshire and the Hebrides Welcome In this issue CHARLES HUNTER-PEASE (and farewell) FORMER RNLI CHAIRMAN I stepped down as Chairman of the RNLI at the end of September – but I could not do so without taking the opportunity to thank you 8 24 4 12 30 As ever, you’ll find stories showing I will miss this role hugely, but I’m part of my heart and soul. Thank you the remarkable courage and delighted to hand over to somebody very much to anyone reading this who selflessness of our lifesavers who brings amazing skills to ensure has given their support during my and volunteers in this magazine. we continue our journey – to improve 3 years as chair and over my 25 years 18 16 They cannot do it without you, what we do to find new ways of as a volunteer – you have helped us whether you give a donation or raise preserving lives and ensure that change and save lives. funds for the charity. our rescue service is second to none. REGULARS IN DEPTH RESCUE We have 1,032 branches and guilds Stuart Popham (see p41) will do 4 NEWS 18 NORTHERN EXPOSURE 8 SNAPSHOTS and together last year they raised an a fantastic job. He is a true volunteer, RNLI Tour of Britain, BBC, Photography special: 60° north Including the rescue of 34 teens amazing £13.8M. I want you to know and a wonderful person. lifeguarding award and more with the Shetland Islands crew cut off by the tide that we strive to make sure every Meanwhile, although I have handed penny and cent is spent wisely. over the tiller, the RNLI will always be Charles Hunter-Pease 29 PUZZLE TIME 24 SALCOMBE DISASTER 10 LEAP OF FAITH Remembering a lifeboat tragedy Aground in a gale with no 32 EIGHT OF THE BEST choice but to jump for safety AUTUMN 2016 ISSUE 617 PICTURED ABOVE: Morecambe The RNLI was founded in 1824. Today it provides a 24-hour 30 THE RNLI AND ME: © RNLI 2016. All rights reserved. Reproduction is permitted search and rescue service out to 100 nautical miles from Autumn hibernation reading hovercraft The Hurley Flyer H-002 the coast of the UK, Republic of Ireland, Isle of Man and Channel with the prior consent of the RNLI. Opinions expressed by JAMES CRACKNELL Islands; on the tidal reaches of the River Thames; and on 12 18-HOUR RESCUE authors are not necessarily those of the publishers. Care is Photo: RNLI/Nigel Millard Meet the Olympic Rower and selected inland waterways. It also provides a seasonal lifeguard 34 SPECIAL DELIVERY Volunteers launch to a taken to ensure that editorial information is correct at the service on appropriate beaches in England, Wales, Scotland, RNLI supporter time of going to press but is subject to change. Northern Ireland and Channel Islands; and flood rescue. Your thoughts on Saving Lives at yachtsman caught on Chairman: Stuart Popham CONTACT US The RNLI is independent from Government and relies Sea and load lines a remote reef in force 11 winds Chief Executive: Paul Boissier If you have any enquiries – or would on voluntary contributions and gifts in Wills for its income. Lifeboat Editor: Rory Stamp It is a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) 41 THE RNLI AND ME: Lifeboat Design: Ben Melville prefer not to receive this magazine – and Scotland (SC037736). Registered charity number 42 RNLI FAMILY STUART POPHAM 16 QUICK THINKING Offshore Editor: Bethany Hope 20003326 in the Republic of Ireland. Offshore Design: Andy Perryman please email [email protected]. Updates from RNLI people Introducing our new Three lifeboats launch to an Front cover photograph of Alternatively, call 0300 300 9990 from Chair, Stuart Popham Aith Crew Member Ivor Moffat: RNLI/Jack Lowe angling boat taking on water the UK, or 0044 1202 663234 (non UK) or post c/o RNLI HQ, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HZ. 2 Lifeboat Autumn 2016 Lifeboat Autumn 2016 3 NEWS Pride of place Photo: RNLI Clive Wasson Lough Swilly Lifeboat Station the RNLI to name a class of lifeboat Your guide to what's been going has welcomed its new vessel after an Irish river, in recognition on in the world of the RNLI – the Shannon class Derek Bullivant, of the role Irish volunteers have named after the generous supporter played in the charity’s lifesaving who helped fund it. Derek Bullivant history. Until the Shannon class, MISSION: accomplished started one of the biggest aluminium the all-weather lifeboat classes Rad Hart-George and Nick Pleydell-Bouverie's journey recycling companies in the UK were each named after UK rivers. began with an epic vision: to cycle the entire British coastline, and wanted his success to benefit The Shannon is propelled by visiting every lifeboat station along the way and raising lifesaving charities, which led him waterjets instead of traditional money to help save lives at sea. And this Summer, to provide a legacy to the RNLI. propellers, making it the most agile they completed their epic ‘Tour of Britain’ mission. The new lifeboat was also funded and manoeuvrable all-weather Their original fundraising target of £25,000 was quickly by a legacy from Valerie Walker of lifeboat in the fleet. Waterjets reached and a new one of £70,000 set. They are now only Portsmouth. A plaque remembering allow the vessel to operate £2,000 away. her kindness has taken pride of place in shallow waters and to The duo spent more than 450 hours in the saddle in the Donegal-based station. be intentionally beached. and climbed more than 175,000m – 20 times the height The lifeboat was officially named The lifeboat has a top speed of Everest. ‘It’s been an amazing adventure – the planning by former Arklow lifeboat volunteer of 25 knots and a range of 250 and logistics alone have been very complicated,' says Nick. Jimmy Tyrell. It was Jimmy who asked nautical miles. 'Our 2014 Scottish leg involved coordinating over 20 ferries, THE MISSION IN NUMBERS some of which only sailed once a week.’ The expedition began in London in July 2010, with the route split into 7 legs • 7 YEARS, 7 LEGS • £68,000 RAISED • 70 DAYS OF CYCLING • 192 STATIONS VISITED SAVING LIVES AT SEA IS A BIG HIT over 7 years. They reached the finish line at Putney on 29 July • 4,660 MILES • 76 ECCLES 2016. Read more at: thernlitourofbritain.blogspot.co.uk CYCLED CAKES EATEN Did you see Saving Lives at Sea? member at Abersoch, 3M VIEWS The Summer BBC documentary who was washed off a cliff was a big hit with viewers, trying to save a concussed spear Top award for lifeguards drawing 3M in its first episode. fisherman. There was also ON FIRST EPISODE A year ago we reported how lifeguards at West Kirby The Alison Saunders Lifeguarding Award recognises For the first time ever, film crews 17-year-old Tom, who found (NOT INCLUDING IPLAYER) in Merseyside teamed up with lifeboat crews to save the year’s most outstanding rescue carried out by RNLI were given an access-all-areas pass himself rescuing a little girl a man who had fallen onto rocks. Now the team have lifeguards. Norman and Mike Procter (who are father to the RNLI's stations, lifeboats in Cardigan Bay, trapped in MENTIONS OF THE RNLI been recognised with a special award. and son, pictured second and first from the right) and crew – and the results made a gap between the rocks below ON SOCIAL MEDIA WERE and Tom Corlett (second from left) have become the latest for some compelling viewing. the high-water mark during people to receive the award. They found the casualty in a It featured volunteers like Paul, a fast moving spring tide rocky area at the edge of Hilbre Island. a software consultant and crew – all on his first shout! Photo: RNLI/Nigel Millard 450% ‘I spotted a man clinging to a rock in the water who looked like he was in serious pain,' says Mike. 'He was HIGHER THAN AVERAGE becoming weaker and weaker and his head kept slipping · under the surface of the water. Dad jumped straight in #SavingLivesAtSea to rescue the man, and then I went in to support the lower was in the top 10 half of his body. The waves were crashing in to all three most talked about of us making it really difficult to stay afloat.’ topics on Twitter Photo: RNLI/Ole Hansen The lifeguards kept the casualty safe while lifeboat every Wednesday crews from Hoylake and West Kirby arrived with first aid equipment. The crews – who received RNLI letters We have temporarily paused our lottery programme while we ask our supporters if they are happy to ‘opt in’ so we of commendation – worked with the lifeguards to secure can stay in touch. If you’d like us to keep you informed about the lottery and other opportunities to support the RNLI, the injured man in a stretcher. He was then airlifted please contact our Supporter Care team by phone on 0300 300 9918 (UK) or 00 44 1202 663234 (non-UK) to hospital by a search and rescue helicopter. weekdays 8am–6pm, or by email at [email protected]. 4 Lifeboat Autumn 2016 Lifeboat Autumn 2016 5 COMMUNITY NEWS Words: Philly Byrde, Kate McMullen Glasgow WHAT’S ON Details might have changed since going to print, so please check in advance to avoid disappointment.