The Autumn 1 997 oatThe magazine of the RNLI In this issue. The Atlantic Coast — the FtNL/'s cover on Ireland's west coast Pig farms and parrots... - legacies turn up some interesting extras Open Days - a photo report of this year's event If you want to waste money, stop reading Otherwise join ACC Telecom and save up to 28% on your phone calls, compared to BT basic rates. Why you should join? • Connection is FREE You use your existing BT telephone and number ' No monthly fees No additional line rentals/charges Per second billing with a monthly itemised bill Save an additional 2% when you pay by direct debit This is how it works As an ACC customer you simply dial '1601' before any call that isn't local. You only pay for what you use, call now (This offer is subject to full terms and conditions. These are available on request by dialling 0800 980 9800) 0800 980 9999 The Lifeboat Autumn News and Views The latest news from and about the RNLI 1997 Volume 55 At the Sharp End Number 541 Lifeboat services around the country The magazine of the Open House 14 Royal National Lifeboat A photo report of the RNLI's biennial Headquarters Open Days Institution West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ. Pig Farms, Cottages and Parrots 17 Telephone Deputy Director Ray Kipling looks at legacies, Poole (01202) 663000 Telex 41328. including some of the more unusual ones! www.rnli.org.uk Bookshelf 20 Chairman: A look at some of the latest books on lifeboats and the sea David Acland DL Director and Secretary: Lt Cdr Brian Miles CBE RD Covering the Atlantic Coast 22 FNI CIMOT RNR Nicholas Leach looks at the RNLI's cover on the west coast of Ireland The Lifeboat Editor: Building up to the Millennium II 25 Mike Floyd Shoreworks Manager Howard Richings continues his circumnavigation of Editorial Assistant: the coast looking at the Institutions's shore facilities Jon Jones Advertisement Manager: High Seas... Nigel French 29 Small Ads: More lifeboat stations from the air Marion Bardsley Editorial (01202) 663188 The Fundraisers 31 Fax (01202) 663189 How some of the RNLI's funds are raised Adverts (01202) 663215 Fax (01202) 663238 Your Letters 36 Registered Charity Readers put pen to paper on lifeboats and related subjects Number 209603 Front Cover People and Places 39 Appledore's Tyne class Around and about the RNLI George Gibson shows her way of dealing with a Lifeboat Services breaking sea on the port's 41 notorious bar. Station-by-station lifeboat launches for March, April and May 1997 by Rick Tomlinson The Lifeboat is published four times a year and is sent may be held for subsequent issues and to reduce costs free to RNLI members and Governors. The next issue receipt will not usually be acknowledged unless re- Any products or services will be Winterl 997/8 and will appear in January 1998. quested. advertised in The Lifeboat by News items should be received by 31 October 1997, For further information on how to join the Institution third parties are not in any way but earlier if possible. All material submitted for possible as a Member or Governor contact the Membership endorsed by the RNLI and the RNLI shall not be responsible publication should be addressed to the Editor, The section at RNLI Headquarters, West Quay Road, Poole, for the accuracy of any Lifeboat. Royal National Lifeboat Institution, West Quay Dorset BH15 1HZ. information contained in such Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ. The Lifeboat is published by the Royal National advertisements nor has it Photographs intended for return should be accompa- Lifeboat Institution and printed by The Friary Press, investigated or verified any of nied by a stamped, addressed envelope. Contributions Bridport Road, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1JL. the information. 1 News Prince Charles visits Rock Rock lifeboat station personnel were delighted and honoured to be visited by HRH The Prince of Wales just four days after their new boathouse was opened. Prince Charles had shown much interest in the new lifeboat station when it was planned over three years ago as it lies on Duchy of Cornwall land. HRH spent 40 minutes talking to RNLI officers, lifeboat crew and other volunteers - the atmosphere was very relaxed and the Prince, not only interested in RNLI matters, spoke to the people he met about their occupations and activities. It was a most enjoyable experience for all those involved and a great start to the new boathouse. The station would like to thank all those who contributed money and helped in achieving the target of £150,000 for the Prince Charles shakes hands and has a chat with Rock lifeboat crew lifeboat and the new boathouse. members. Photo: John Beckett Photography The Duke visits HQ RNLI headquarters in Poole had a very special visitor on 25 June when HRH The Duke of Kent KG came to sit in on an executive committee meeting and name a brand new Trent class lifeboat, Edward Duke of Windsor, after his late uncle. With almost perfect timing, the rain stopped for the naming ceremony which was held on the depot quay and attended by many guests and visitors. RNLI Director, Brian Miles opened proceedings and handed over to Chairman David Acland who thanked the generosity of the donors and accepted the lifeboat on behalf of the Institution. Funding for the lifeboat came from the bequest of the late Duchess of Windsor along with other legacies. HRH the Duke of Windsor was President of the Institution between 1919 and HRH The Duke of Kent stands on the foredeck of Edward Duke of 1936 while he was Prince of Wales. Windsor pined by Brian Miles, David Acland and the crew. Photo: Following a service of dedication, and a fly-past by Portland Anthony Oliver Coastguard helicopter Hotel Lima, HRH named the lifeboat Edward Duke of Windsor and took a N EWSPOI NT short trip afloat. The Lifeboat This issue marks yet another step forward for The colour journal will be in the region of 20 pence, on audio tape Lifeboat, being the first ever to appear with full and even when distribution and postage charges The Lifeboat is also colour throughout the magazine. are added the cost rises to only around 52p - available on audio tape Thanks to advances in printing technology, delivered to your door. in conjunction with Talk- and the increasing circulation of The Lifeboat as Advertising income reduces this further, and ing Newspapers. the number of RNLI members grows, the move when the other fundraising material - such as The audio tape ver- to full-colour has not only been achieved without lottery tickets which would otherwise have to be sion is free, although re- any increase in printing costs, but has actually posted separately - are taken into account The cipients may wish to enabled us to negotiate a considerable saving in Lifeboat \s an extremely economical way for the make a donation to cover our print bill! RNLI to keep in touch with its supporters and the additional costs in- Supporters sometimes query the cost of dis- those who have not yet joined the fold. volved. tributing the magazine to each member, and a We have achieved this by bringing all of the To receive The number have opted not to receive it on the grounds production of the magazine 'in-house' and pro- Lifeboat on a C90 of perceived cost. Unfortunately this shows that ducing it on the same desk-top publishing equip- audio tape please write to: the magazine has become a victim of its own ment needed for other fundraising, operational success, as members are comparing the publica- and legally required productions. The Institution The Editor, tion with the commercial magazines they see on also puts the printing and distribution out to The Lifeboat, RNLI, the news-stands with cover prices of well over £2 tender at intervals to ensure that you, the mem- West Quay Road, per issue. bers, governors and other supporters receive Poole, Dorset In fact the actual cost of each issue of this full- the RNLI's news at the minimum cost. BH151HZ. News BTp Global Challenge Challengers return After 163 days and 11 hours at sea, Toshiba Wave Warrior finally returned home, in a superb second place, after their gruelling challenge. The crews, including six RNLI crew members, had sailed nearly 30,000 miles the wrong way' around the world against the prevailing winds and tide. Global Teamwork finished in sixth place with Nuclear Electric in seventh. Chris Gaskin, West Kirby; Angela Morris, Fishguard; Haydon Edwards, Craster; Jack Goldie, Largs; Elaine Adams, Poole and Richard Tudor, Pwllheli had all completed their opportunity of a lifetime. There were many moments to remember, to cherish and even some to forget! In the Southern Ocean the wind was relentless. There were The homecoming - Toshiba Wave Warrior gales and storms, followed by even more gales and more storms! Chris broke a rib and Haydon crosses the finish line in suffered a compression fracture of his leg and spent much of his time confined below in his bunk. Southampton at 0339 on Even there, he managed to get drenched when he was tucked up in bed! One crew member 16 July 1997. described taking part as living in a washing machine, getting washed and spun but never getting dry. Elaine said the worst parts were absolutely horrendous and she had never been so frightened. Chris said that the 38 days he spent there felt like three years! In contrast, the good moments included nights out on the ocean when all was quiet and they could see thousands of stars in the clearest sky Falmouth's Severn named in the world.