CowesRNLI

noreply@blogger.com (Cowes RNLI Lifeboat) — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 12:12:00 +0000

Date: 11/07012

HM The Queen to officially open new Cowes RNLI Lifeboat Station

Volunteer lifeboat crew members at Cowes RNLI Lifeboat Station will show off their new boathouse to an extra special guest this month, when HM The Queen will officially open the new station.

As part of a series of public engagements during her jubilee year, Her Majesty will grace the Isle of Wight with her presence on Wednesday 25 July, and will take part in various celebrations, including naming the new lifeboat station.

The lifeboat station, in Watch House Lane, only went operational in recent weeks, transferring from the old premises in Shepards Wharf to the town’s old Customs Watch House building. The property was purchased and renovated by the RNLI to create the new station, which will provide volunteer lifeboat crew members with faster access to the Solent.

Wednesday 25 July marks a double header for the RNLI community in Cowes – as well as a ceremony to officially open the station, there will also be a naming ceremony for the new lifeboat that has gone on service there, the Atlantic 85 class Sheena Louise.

The eponymous lifeboat takes its name from an Orpington woman who, despite being disabled, pursued a love of sailing throughout her life, up until her death in 2005. When Sheena Louise Pollock died aged 39, her family decided to donate funds in her memory to the RNLI, which funded the new lifeboat.

Volunteer lifeboat crew members and invited guests will be a part of the celebrations which, as Lifeboat Operations Manager Mark Southwell said, will be a day to remember for the town: ‘We’re all really thrilled that the Queen will visit our new station, especially in this, her jubilee year. Right now the Royal family have a huge appeal, after all the celebrations of the Jubilee weekend, and we’re looking forward to a good turnout to see the patron of our lifeboats charity.’

The refurbishment of the lifeboat station has been partly funded by a £1M public appeal for RNLI funds - with the total currently standing at around £750,000, fundraisers for the charity are hoping the high profile event will take that total closer to the £1M aim.

In addition to meeting people at the new lifeboat station, Her Majesty will also unveil a commemorative plaque on the sea wall in Cowes and visit Cowes Yacht Haven.

HM The Queen will visit Cowes RNLI lifeboat station at 10.30am. She will spend 20 minutes at the station, unveiling a plaque before leaving for her next visit. The full lifeboat naming ceremony will take place after HM departure.

noreply@blogger.com (Cowes RNLI Lifeboat) — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 12:11:00 +0000

9 July 2012

Grounded Classic Yacht Gets Help from Two RNLI Stations

Lifeboats from two RNLI stations went to the aid of a 41 foot yacht with six people aboard yesterday evening, that had gone firmly aground on a receding tide on

Quarry Ledge just east of Thorness Bay.

The Bermudan-rigged sloop Sea Scamp had been taking part in a clock-wise direction race around the Isle of Wight for classic yachts, which had begun earlier in the day from Cowes.

After Solent Coastguards were informed of the Sea Scamp's plight, first to race to the

scene was Cowes' Atlantic 85 RIB. It was later joined by Yarmouth's deep sea lifeboat, which deployed its rubber dinghy to reach the Sea Scamp.

With the dinghy crew's help, Cowes lifeboat was able to give the yacht more stability, when the tide did eventually rise in the early hours of this morning, by laying out the yacht's

anchor. As the yacht became high and dry on the shelf it was also approached from the shore by the Needles auxilliary coastguard.

With hours still to go before the tide was high enough, both lifeboats returned to their

respective stations.

Soon after midnight, however, Cowes lifeboat returned and was still present when the Sea Scamp finally refloated without incident. The lifeboat then escorted the yacht into Cowes where today it was inspected to determine whether it could immediately return to its base at Shamrock Quay, Southampton.

Originally named Zeisig, Sea Scamp was built in Germany in 1936 and for eight years was used for navigation training and recreation by the Luffwaffe. At the end of the war it was taken by the Royal Navy as reparations, but since 1984 has been owned and sailed by the Sea Scamp Syndicate.

The yacht's history was not the only war-time connection with the dramatic incident; the ledge where it went aground is very close to the remains of the PLUTO pipeline which was laid in 1944 to pump fuel to France for the D Day invasion.

noreply@blogger.com (Cowes RNLI Lifeboat) — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 12:11:00 +0000

8 July 2012

Belgian Yacht's Broken Rudder Leads Cowes Lifeboat Launch

A Belgian yacht with four men on board had to be towed into Cowes this morning by the local RNLI lifeboat after alerting Solent Coastguards it had broken its rudder.

The 30 foot sloop Baflos was on passage from the French port of Dunkirk to Cowes when the problem occurred near Peel Bank, three miles east of East Cowes. Cowes lifeboat, with James Findley at the helm, was launched at 9.12 am and was soon on the scene.

The Baflos was towed to Shepards Wharf Marina, arriving at 11.15 am. It is expected the boat, whose home port in Belgium is Niewport, will be in Cowes for several days for

repairs.

noreply@blogger.com (Cowes RNLI Lifeboat) — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 12:10:00 +0000

6 July 2012

Painting of Yacht in Trouble to be Displayed at Lifeboat Station

An oil painting dramatically depicting a yacht that lost its rudder in heavy seas while competing in a night-time race around the Isle of Wight in the late 1960s is to be hung at the new RNLI lifeboat station at Cowes.

The painting was donated by Geoff Dines who had been crewing aboard the yacht, Great Bear. when it suffered the rudder loss in heavy seas off Dunnose Point, between Bonchurch and Shanklin.

Geoff, of Worsley Road, Gurnard, who was one of the six strong crew, recalled there was a freshening south-easterly at the time. "We were reaching fast with full sails when

suddenly the rudder sheared off at water level."

Eventually a paddle was suitably secured to serve as a make-shift rudder and a course set offshore to south of the Nab Tower. "By this time the wind had increased to gale-force. A passing liner, Chusan, hove to on our weather side, enabling Bembridge RNLI lifeboat to put a line aboard. It towed us to Bembridge Harbour, to the grateful thanks of the

exhausted crew of the Great Bear."

Although Great Bear was owned and built by a Cowes businessman, the late Michael Henderson, he was not aboard for the race. The painting was the work of another crew regular also absent on that night, Sam Deaken.

Helming Great Bear for the race, which was organised by the Island Sailing Club, was Harold Sturge.

Geoff is the father of Steve Dines, a Deputy Launch Authority at the Cowes station, and a former lifeboat crew member.

noreply@blogger.com (Cowes RNLI Lifeboat) — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 12:10:00 +0000

4 July 2012

Sailing Dinghy Sparks Shipping Lane Alert

A sailing dinghy in danger of drifting into the Solent's main shipping lane led to Cowes RNLI lifeboat racing to its aid this evening.

The dinghy, sailed by a young man, was virtually becalmed in the light winds near to Bourne Gap Buoy between Calshot and Beaulieu River. The possible danger was reported to Solent Coastguards.

The lifeboat, helmed by Steve Price, was soon on the scene and, after speaking to the yachtsman arranged for his boat to be towed back to Gurnard Sailing Club by the club's safety boat.

noreply@blogger.com (Cowes RNLI Lifeboat) — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 12:09:00 +0000

30 June 2012

Early Incidents on Round the Island Race Keep Lifeboats Busy

The RNLI lifeboats of Cowes, Lymington and Yarmouth were kept busy in the

western Solent this morning, dealing with yachts battling through a brisk south-westerly on the outward leg of the annual Round the Island Race from Cowes.

An early emergency involved the 20 foot Itch, with seven people on board, which lost its mast off Egypt Point. It was eventually towed back to Cowes by the local lifeboat.

Another dismasting concerned the yacht Pelican, in Thorness Bay. Cowes lifeboat first

attempted to tow the boat but it was found there was too much debris in the water. Lifeboat crewman Chris Adams. already on the yacht, was joined by Pete Tarrant. Together they managed lift the debris, including the mast, on to the deck. The yacht was then able to proceed under its own power back to Cowes.

A further alert concerned a yachtsman on First Love, complaining of chest pains. Chris Adams was put aboard to administer First Aid; the man was eventually transferred to Lymington lifeboat and then air-lifted to Southampton by the coastguard helicopter.

A more dramatic incident occurred near Hurst Point, when the catamaran Aquae Sulis capsized. All the crew were quickly recovered from the water.

The yacht Firefly damaged its hull when it struck an old submerged wreck off The Needles. The skipper indicated they were able to make their own way to Hamble, but requested help for a woman aboard who received a head injury. She was first put on Lymington lifeboat and then transferred to Yarmouth lifeboat and landed at Yarmouth.

noreply@blogger.com (Cowes RNLI Lifeboat) — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 12:08:00 +0000

29 June 2012

Cowes Lifeboat Will Have Three Crews for Round the Island

Cowes RNLI lifeboat will be on the water virtually throughout the day, tomorrow, to help provide safety cover to the 1,647 strong fleet of yachts taking part in the annual Round the Island Race.

For the first time Cowes lifeboat will have three different sets of crews for the event, sponsored by J P Morgan Asset Management. This was considered necessary after last year's Round the Island when Cowes and other lifeboats were at full stretch dealing with emergencies caused by the strong winds and choppy seas.

The first four-person crew will arrive at the boathouse, beside The Parade, at 5.30 am for a final weather briefing by Deputy Launch Authority, Harry Leslie, and a crew briefing by the helm, Scott Armiger. After a 6 am launching the lifeboat, the brand new Atlantic 85 'Sheena Louise', will patrol an area between the Cowes starting line and Gurnard Marsh.

Twenty minutes after the start he lifeboat will go alongside Trinity pontoon at 9 am. There a new crew, headed by Richard O'Callaghan, will be waiting to then follow the huge fleet westwards to Hurst Narrows.

The lifeboat will return to the boathouse at 12 noon, to refuel and stand-down. Providing there are no alerts in the meantime, the lifeboat will take to the Solent again at 1.30 pm, this time to patrol the area between Prince Consort Buoy and Wootton Creek. The lifeboat, then helmed by James Findlay, is due to return to the boathouse at 6 pm.

noreply@blogger.com (Cowes RNLI Lifeboat) — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 12:05:00 +0000

Date: 21/06/2012

New RNLI lifeboat named in honour of Orpington woman’s generous donation

An Orpington woman who had a passion for sailing tall ships will be helping to save lives at sea for years to come after her family donated funds for a new RNLI lifeboat in her memory.

Sheena Louise Pollock has been immortalised by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, the charity that saves lives at sea, after a new Isle of Wight lifeboat has been named in her honour.

Funds for the new lifeboat at Cowes RNLI Lifeboat Station were donated in the wake of Sheena’s death in 2005, by her mother and sister. Although disabled throughout her life, Sheena enjoyed many sailing adventures with the Jubilee Tall Ships Sailing Trust, a charity which offers sailing experience to both able bodied and disabled people.

The new Atlantic 85 lifeboat, named Sheena Louise, arrived in Cowes last week and was placed on operational service on Friday 8 June, replacing the existing Atlantic 85 class relief lifeboat Tabby Cat.

Lorna Cox, Sheena’s sister, explained more about how the family came to support the RNLI and, ultimately, make a huge contribution to saving lives at sea: ‘My sister died in 2005 and despite being in a wheelchair all her life, was a very keen sailor. She loved her trips with the Jubilee Sailing Trust – the charity used specially adapted tall ships to give different people experience of sailing on them. In all she went on 14 voyages and she loved every minute of it.’

Lorna, from Bristol, told how Sheena was 39 years old when she died, of various complications associated with spina bifida. She said: ‘When she died we wanted to do something in her honour that would help others, but something that was linked to her love of the sea and sailing, and we decided that the charity that saves lives at sea was a fitting choice.’

The Pollock family’s links to the sea go further back in their family tree, as Lorna and Sheena’s father, Eddie, was a Master Mariner. After going to sea at an early age he continued to work in shipping-related jobs for the rest of his working life. When the family contacted the RNLI to say they were keen to fund a lifeboat, they were put on a waiting list for such donations.

‘The RNLI contacted us last year to say there was a funding opportunity for the new lifeboat at Cowes,’ said Lorna. ‘Sadly, my father also died before our donation was allocated, so it is a shame he didn’t live to see where the donation went. That said, we feel sure he would be pleased that the lifeboat that bears my sister’s name is based at what is considered by many to be a sailing Mecca for the sailing community.’

'Already the volunteer lifeboat crew at Cowes have used Sheena Louise on three rescues; one, a call to assist a broken down RIB, another a night time rescue of fishing boat that had suffered steering failure, and a third involving a leaking motor-cruiser.'

Lorna said: ‘By the end of her life Sheena was seriously disabled yet she was totally determined to do the most outrageous things most able bodied people wouldn’t even consider. She put others to shame in that respect! She took her university finals from a hospital bed; she forced herself into work after two weeks in intensive care; she was a speech therapist who often helped other children with disabilities. It’s great that her name and her spirit of adventure and helping people live on in this way.’

Mark Southwell, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Cowes RNLI Lifeboat Station, said: ‘We are indebted to the Pollock family for their generous donation, and for the funds to provide this new lifeboat. It marks a real double-header of celebration for all of us here at Cowes – last week we moved into our new lifeboat station premises at Shepards Wharf marina, and now our new lifeboat has gone operational.

‘We really look forward to the ceremony to officially name the lifeboat next month where Sheena Louise’s family will be our special guests. It will be a chance to show them just what a difference they have made to the RNLI and our remit of saving lives at sea.’

Ends

noreply@blogger.com (Cowes RNLI Lifeboat) — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 12:04:00 +0000

14 June 2012

Heather's Sense of Direction Helps Track Down Lost Snore

Cowes RNLI lifeboat's radio direction finding equipment was used with great effect in a pitch-dark Solent last night, when a craft with two people aboard reported they were broken down and lost in mid-Solent. They had left Cowes for Haslar Marina, Gosport.

When the craft, a RIB called Snore, alerted Solent coastguards of their plight soon after 1 pm they said they were unsure of their position. The inshore lifeboats of both Cowes and Gosport and Fareham were dispatched and, together, using direction finding equipment, finally managed to locate the RIB near South Ryde Middle Buoy. Gosport lifeboat towed it to the Haslar Marina.

The Cowes helm, Patrick Moreton, praised his crew for what was a challenging task in the darkness. Heather Lambden manned the direction finding and the other crew were Chris Cockroft and Alisdair Boden. The lifeboat had been off-station for about an hour.

noreply@blogger.com (Cowes RNLI Lifeboat) — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 12:04:00 +0000

10 June 2012

Night-Time Rescue for New Cowes RNLI Lifeboat

Cowes' new RNLI lifeboat was involved in its first emergency early today, when it was launched to go to the aid of a small fishing boat.

The 21 fishing boat, Low Tide, with two people on board, had informed Solent coastguards that it had suffered steering failure in Osborne Bay. The Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Sheena Louise, was launched within minutes of the1.40 am alert, and eventually towed the fishing boat up the River Medina to Folly Reach.

The lifeboat, helmed by Max Rimington, returned to station at 3.40 am.

noreply@blogger.com (Cowes RNLI Lifeboat) — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 12:04:00 +0000

10 June 2012

Night-Time Rescue for New Cowes RNLI Lifeboat

Cowes' new RNLI lifeboat was involved in its first emergency early today, when it was launched to go to the aid of a small fishing boat.

The lifeboat, helmed by Max Rimington, returned to station at 3.40 am.

noreply@blogger.com (Cowes RNLI Lifeboat) — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 12:03:00 +0000

9 June 2012

Tabby Cat's Replacement Ceremony Was Emotionally Purrfect

It was a moment of mixed emotions when, after crews and supporters of Cowes RNLI bade a sad farewell to the lifeboat that had served them so well for four years, they went on to warmly welcome the brand new replacement.

The carefully choreographed ceremony, enlivened by a commentary from crewman Peter Tarrant, music and loud cheers, was watched by large crowds at the new station, the

adjoining Island Sailing Club, and The Parade. First the ever-faithful relief Atlantic 85 RIB, Tabby Cat, was pushed out on its trolley through the handsome wooden doors of the new boathouse. Waiting on the forecourt was the vicar of St Mary's Church, Cowes, the Rev

Richard Emblin, who gave a blessing and a prayer.

Then, with the aid of a winch, the trolley trundled steadily down the metal slipway, with the boat fully manned. The two lusty outboards took the craft out into the harbour where it

rendezvoused with its replacement Atlantic 85, Sheena Louise, crewed by other crew members of the station. Also hovering nearby was Calshot's Tyne class all-weather lifeboat, whose crew had made a special cross-Solent journey to provide a backcloth to the event.

There then came a quite literally touching moment when the two craft were positioned so as their inflatable bows could briefly come together. After this example of 'rubber necking' it was the new-comer's turn to be carried ashore on the trolley, to a rapturous greeting from one and all.

So, a week after the new lifeboat station became operational it now had a new RIB, which just happened to be the very first 85 to have been built at the RNLI's East Cowes-based Inshore Lifeboat Centre. And Lifeboat Operations Manager Mark Southwell loudly pointed out that the volunteer helmsman, Scott Armiger, worked at the centre and had helped in its construction.

With the lifeboat finally at rest in its new home - what better excuse could there be for a reception in the station? Present were station members, fund-raisers and special guests led by the mayors of both Cowes (David Walters) and East Cowes (Jane Rann). Also

present were members of the former independent Cowes lifeboat, including Chris Greenham who had been its long-serving chairman.

A clear example of the goodwill enjoyed by the RNLI in Cowes is that the huge finger

buffet laid-out in the training room was donated by Barry and Sally Cass of the Duke of York public house. Another culinary high point was the cutting of an iced cake with a

sword deftly wielded by Mark.

Having once served in the building when it was a Customs Watch House, Mark has decorated a wall in the station with fascinating memorabilia of its old role which spanned a total of 300 years. This collection was further added to at the event with the presentation of an old photograph showing the former watch house from the harbour.

Just what will become of the departing Atlantic 85 was not known made known at the event. But having not long ago undergone a thorough refit it is very clear Tabby Cat will, as a part of the RNLI's relief fleet, quite definitely be re-homed somewhere around the coast of the UK.

noreply@blogger.com (Cowes RNLI Lifeboat) — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 12:02:00 +0000

23 May 2012

Island Lifejacket Appeal Raises Nearly £3,000

Tesco customers on the Isle of Wight contributed altogether £2,810 towards the RNLI's nationwide appeal for new lifejackets, as a result of collections taking place outside the company's Island stores on both days of the 19/20 May weekend.

Taking in turns to man the collection buckets were members of most of the RNLI branches and guilds on the Island, as well as some of the crew and shore crew of the charity's three local lifeboat stations

The RNLI has embarked on a programme of replacing lifejackets across the country. Each of the latest all-weather lifejackets costs £350 and those for inshore craft £330.

"The RNLi is most grateful to the generosity of the public for this special appeal," said Cowes' lifeboat operations manager, Mark Southwell. "And, of course, to all those involved in the RNLI for giving up their time over a weekend."

noreply@blogger.com (Cowes RNLI Lifeboat) — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 12:01:00 +0000

Lifeboat Rescues Mother and Children of Grounded Yacht

Cowes RNLI became rescuers of a mother and her two young daughters after an ocean yacht went firmly aground near the mouth of Southampton Water.

Yacht skipper/owner of the 41 foot Solus, Peter Simpson, had called up Solent Coastguards after going aground on the Bramble Bank in a Force 5 south-westerly just before 3.30 pm today. They had left a mooring at Shamrock Quay in the River Itchen, bound for Newtown Estuary on the Isle of Wight.

Cowes' Atlantic 85 RIB, Tabby Cat, helmed by Patrick Moreton, put crew-member James Rankin aboard the Solus and then attempted without success to tow it off the sandbank. It was then decided that because of the uncomfortable swell it would be better to take Peter Simpson's partner and their two daughters, aged five and nearly two, back to Cowes before attempting another tow.

With mother and children now safely in the lifeboat station, the lifeboat once again crossed the Solent. This time, with the sails of the Solus being used to heel the yacht over, the towing effort eventually proved successful.

The yacht, apparently none the worse for the grounding, then accompanied the lifeboat back to Shepards Wharf, Cowes. The lifeboat had been off-station nearly three hours.

Expressing his gratitude to the RNLI, Peter Simpson said, "It needs to be understood that the Solus is not just a boat - it is our home. So we are particularly grateful for the successful tow operation. And the lifeboat crew were consummate professionals."

Although the Trinity House tender Galatea had also gone to the scene of the grounding, the water proved too shallow to get close enough to the Solus to attempt a tow.

noreply@blogger.com (Cowes RNLI Lifeboat) — Fri, 18 May 2012 14:28:00 +0000

Suspected Heart Attack Yachtsman Sparks Solent Alert

Cowes RNLI lifeboat was today tasked to go to the aid of a man who had suffered a suspected heart attack while taking part in a yacht race in the Solent.

The man, from London, was aboard the Cowes-based 40 foot La Response, participating in a race organised by the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club at Cowes. The alarm was raised with Solent Coastguards just after 1 pm when the yacht was in the vicinity of South Ryde Middle Buoy.

The lifeboat, with Patrick Moreton at the helm, was racing to the scene when hailed by a five metre RIB; it had already taken the man aboard. The lifeboat proceeded to escort the RIB to Trinity Landing on Cowes Parade where the man, who was conscious, was given oxygen by a lifeboat member. He was then taken by ambulance to St Mary's Hospital, Newport.

The lifeboat had been away from its mooring at Shepards Wharf Marina for just over half an hour.

noreply@blogger.com (Cowes RNLI Lifeboat) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 08:01:00 +0000

Fouled Propeller Leads to Rescue by Cowes Lifeboat

A 39 foot yacht that left Cowes this evening for Hayling Island was soon back in Cowes again, after being towed to Cowes Yacht Haven by the local RNLI lifeboat.

The Valinor, with six adults aboard, encountered a problem just outside Cowes Harbour when the jib sheet became entangled around the propeller. After dropping anchor off the Royal Yacht Squadron in a Force 8/9 southerly wind the crew informed Solent coastguards of their predicament.

Cowes lifeboat, with Patrick Moreton at the helm, was tasked to go to the yacht's aid just before 6 pm, and returned to station at Shepards Wharf Marinas an hour later. The Valinor is based in Chichester Harbour.

noreply@blogger.com (Cowes RNLI Lifeboat) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 07:27:00 +0000

Stranded Sea Anglers Towed Home by Lifeboat

Nine anglers returning from a fishing expedition in a moderate south-westerly well east of the Isle of Wight today had to be rescued by Cowes RNLI lifeboat after the boat had engine trouble.

The eight-metre Moonstone, which had taken the anglers to the area of the Nab Tower, suffered a break-down off Wootton Creek. After trying without success for half an hour to get the engine restarted they finally informed Solent coastguards of their plight.

Fortunately for them Cowes lifeboat was just leaving Cowes for an exercise when the alarm was raised. The lifeboat, helmed by Max Rimington, eventually towed the Moonstone to its base at East Cowes Marina.

The whole rescue operation, which began at around 3.45 pm took about one and a half hours.

noreply@blogger.com (Cowes RNLI Lifeboat) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 20:27:00 +0000

Lifeboat Rescues Mother and Children of Grounded Yacht

Cowes RNLI became rescuers of a mother and her two young daughters after an ocean yacht went firmly aground near the mouth of Southampton Water.

The yacht, apparently none the worse for the grounding, then accompanied the lifeboat back to Shepards Wharf, Cowes. The lifeboat had been off-station nearly three hours.

Although the Trinity House tender Galatea had also gone to the scene of the grounding, the water proved too shallow to get close enough to the Solus to attempt a tow.

noreply@blogger.com (Cowes RNLI Lifeboat) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 10:51:00 +0000

Drifting Dinghy Sparks River Alert

A report of an empty rowing dinghy drifting in the River Medina sparked a thorough search last (Tuesday) night involving Cowes RNLI lifeboat and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency helicopter.

The dinghy had first been spotted off Kingston Wharf, East Cowes. Although it was quickly

recovered, an extensive search found no evidence of anyone in the water. As it became increasingly likely that the dinghy had probably just broken free from its mooring, Lee on Solent coastguards decided to call off the search.

The lifeboat, with James Findlay at the helm, returned to its base at Shepards Wharf

Marina at about 10 pm. It had been off station for nearly one and a half hours

noreply@blogger.com (Cowes RNLI Lifeboat) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 07:34:00 +0000

Double Celebration for Cowes Lifeboat Attended by High Sheriff

The Island's High Sheriff, Susie Sheldon, was invited to take part in a double celebration involving Cowes RNLI lifeboat, first presenting Casualty Care

certificates to 18 lifeboat members and then presiding over the presentation of a cheque towards the appeal for the new lifeboat station.

Welcoming the High Sheriff to the ceremony, at the Island Sailing Club, were the chairman of the lifeboat station's management group, David Hembury, and operations manager Mark Southwell.

Referring to the Casualty Care course. based at the lifeboat's present station in Shepards Wharf Marina, Mark said: "It was quite an intensive one. Those taking part had to attend eight sessions totalling 20 hours over a two week period - followed by more time for a final assessment. And I was delighted that all 18 managed to qualify.

"They had learned how to treat a casualty on a boat and then how best to deal with their evacuation to land or to a hovering helicopter."

"Considering the sessions came on top of their working day and their domestic lives, this course amply demonstrated the commitment of our volunteers to their life-saving role,."

He added that the participants had nothing but praise for the instructor involved, an RNLI professional from Poole, Jenny Forsythe.

The cheque, amounting to £1,085.50p, represented the profit from a dinner and a two-hour concert of popular jazz and swing at the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club. The jazz band comprised the Island's Leon Simmonds Trio plus two high-profile musicians from the mainland: Alan Barnes and Julian Marc Stringle.

Anna Morgan Crockett, chairman of Cowes RNLI Guild, received the cheque from local jazz enthusiast and concert organiser, Willie Sanderson, who indicated he might organise a similar event for the station next year.

noreply@blogger.com (Cowes RNLI Lifeboat) — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 10:19:00 +0000

Cowes Lifeboat Members Visit Solent Coastguard's Headquarters

The already close relationship with the Marine and Coastguard Agency and Cowes RNLI lifeboat station became even closure when 15 members of the lifeboat paid an evening visit to the coastguard headquarters at Lee on Solent.

There they were given a comprehensive briefing of the work of the coastguard, and had all their questions answered. Emphasising the value of the trip, Cowes' Lifeboat Operations Manager Mark Southwell said: “Search and rescue missions are co-ordinated by the coastguard, and the relationship between them and lifeboat crews is key to everything.

"Although we regularly speak to coastguard officers it was a wonderful opportunity to be shown in great depth and detail all the information and communication technology available to them when conducting SAR missions. The very good working relationship between Cowes RNLI and Solent Coastguard has been immeasurably improved thanks to the professional and friendly officers we met that evening, led by Acting Watch Manager Matt West."

Mark also thanked UKSA for providing the two minibuses for the Cowes party, and Wightlink for free travel on the Fishbourne-Portsmouth ferry,.

During the Lee on Solent visit they witnessed at first-hand how the coastguards handled a real-life emergency when officers co-ordinated the search for someone reported to have gone into the River Test at Redbridge, Totton. The subsequent search, in darkness and lasting over an hour, involved the coastguard helicopter, Calshot inshore lifeboat, a coastguard rescue team and police officers.

The missing person was subsequently found safe and well, having apparently dived from a bridge for an £80 bet placed in a local pub.

noreply@blogger.com (Cowes RNLI Lifeboat) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 09:44:00 +0000

Marathon Man Richard All Set to Again Help Cowes Appeal

A man with strong links with the Isle of Wight is planning to take part in the London

Marathon to raise funds for the £1-million Cowes RNLI lifeboat station appeal.

This will be the second event for the appeal involving Richard, a member of the RNLI Council and of the Fordingbridge and Ringwood Branch. He was one of the driving forces behind a one-night performance of Noel Coward's 'Design for Living', recently staged at the Salisbury Playhouse and which raised over £5,000.

Already sponsorship totalling over £4,000 has been pledged for his marathon run which takes place on Sunday 22 April. And he would like more pledges before the big day. Those interested in helping him achieve a bumper amount are invited to look him up on a special web site: http: //virginmoneygiving.com/RichardAcland.

Richard, who will be 50 in July, said, "Running the marathon is one of those items on my 'to do' list before I get too ancient to be able to." He drew some confidence in successfully completing the New Forest Half Marathon last September.

He had sailed 'all his life' from Cowes and Seaview, still owned a Seaview One Design and had sailed many different yachts in Cowes Week. He is a member of both the Royal Yacht Squadron and Seaview Yacht Club.

He pointed out that the new station, to occupy the former Customs House, will help Cowes lifeboat get out into the Solent quicker than now. "Having personally witnessed lifeboat crews in action, I can vouch for how selfless, dependable and courageous they are. It is amazing the lengths they are prepared to go in order to do their job of saving lives at sea.

"On one occasion, my then ten year old daughter spotted a yacht in trouble at St Anthony Head near Falmouth and we called out Falmouth lifeboat. On another my family was involved in a fatal accident in CowesWeek, where the RNLI were the only people able to help."

Meanwhile thanks to the Playhouse event and a whole host of other money raising efforts and

generous donations the appeal has now raised something not far short of £700,000, of which over £150,000 came from the Island. And more events are in the pipeline, including a supper and auction with Alan Titchmarsh at the Royal Yacht Squadron on 27 March.

noreply@blogger.com (Cowes RNLI Lifeboat) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 09:43:00 +0000

Cowes RNLI Lifeboat Tows in Stranded RIB

Two men who decided to brave the ice-cold Solent today to go for a pleasure trip in an open RIB were eventually brought to a halt, not by the freezing conditions but lack of fuel.

The men had set out this morning aboard their 6.6 metre RIB from Bursledon on the River Hamble to visit various ports around the Solent. But while travelling up the western Solent, towards Cowes soon after 5 pm, they ran out of fuel.

At much the same time that someone on shore alerted Solent Coastguards about their plight, a passing catamaran stopped to provide some petrol, but not enough for them to reach a safe port.

Cowes lifeboat, with Richard O'Callaghan at the helm, arrived on the scene and took the RIB under tow to Shepards Wharf Marina, Cowes. There the lifeboat assisted in obtaining more fuel so that the men could complete their journey back to Bursledon.

noreply@blogger.com (Cowes RNLI Lifeboat) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:59:00 +0000

Island RNLI Members Turn Out to Support Phil's National Charity Hike

Members of Cowes RNLI lifeboat were among those that assembled in Newport today to welcome ex-soldier Phil Packer, on a grueling country-wide 2,012 mile BRIT 2012 charity hike.

Ex-soldier Phil, who suffered spinal injuries in Iraq in 2008, is aiming to raise money towards the building of a £15 million centre for youngsters facing adversity. Through his British Inspiration Trust he wants to encourage youngsters who have had tough lives to aspire to better things.

He started his mammoth walk at Chichester College in West Sussex on 24 January, and today he began his Isle of Wight stint at Newport's St George's special school, where enthusiastic pupils were joined by the Island's High Sheriff, Susie Sheldon. Also very much in attendance were members of local emergency services, including Cowes RNLI station's operations manager, Mark Southwell, and crew member Stuart Higgs - in full life-saving gear.

Adding to the occasion was a trailer towing a D Class RIB from the RNLI's Inshore Lifeboat Centre, East Cowes, and two local fire appliances. Mark expressed his gratitude to the ILC's operations manager, Glyn Ellis, for allowing the lifeboat to attend.

Phil explained that although his walk was in aid of the £15 million centre he also wanted to champion the good work of the RNLI, and would not want this charity to suffer because of his project. This sentiment also applied, he said, to the NSPCC and the separate benevolent funds that operated for the police and fire services.

Phil began his Island walk by circling St George's playing field several times, accompanied by many of the 140 pupils, school staff, parents, the High Sheriff and representatives of emergency services. Then it was out on to the road for the very public walk-about on the Island, which included visits to the Isle of Wight College and Carisbrooke. Throughout he was accompanied by an impressive entourage of supporters, keen to demonstrate they intended the Island to play its full part in Phil's brave challenge.

Among the many accolades already received by Phil are Fundraiser of the Year at the Pride of Britain Awards and the Helen Rollason Award at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year. He is the founder and unpaid chief executive of the British Inspiration Trust, and has already raised £1.3 million in past charity walks.

New Lifeboat Slipway Rises Above the Waves!

noreply@blogger.com (Cowes RNLI Lifeboat) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:21:00 +0000

New Lifeboat Slipway Rises Above the Waves!

Work on the slipway for the new Cowes RNLI lifeboat station finally reached the stage this week when sections above the low water-line are now very much in evidence.

As the process of putting in place the slipway 'platform' began at the seaward end, the first sections were necessarily under-water - aligned on to tubular piles with the assistance of local divers. But such has been the progress made by the contractor that there are now sections well above low-water. All being well, all sections will be in situ by the end of this week.

Meanwhile another contractor is well underway converting the Custom House into the new lifeboat station.

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