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The volunteer lifeboat crew were paged at 1715 to respond to a report of a man with a leg injury at the pontoons in Tobermory. Crew members treated the man before an ambulance arrived. They then assisted ambulance personnel in moving the man off the pontoons which were moving around in the fresh north-easterly breeze. The man was then transferred by ambulance to the hospital at Craignure for further treatment.


Notes for editors

• This was Tobermory RNLI’s eighth call out of 2013.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Sam Jones, Tobermory RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07747 601900 or sam.j.jones@btinternet.com or Richard Smith, RNLI Public Relations Manager for Scotland, 01738 642956, 07786 668903, richard_smith2@rnli.org.uk or Henry Weaver, RNLI Press Officer for Scotland, 01738 642946, 07771 943026, henry_weaver@rnli.org.uk or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789.

Page Content: Both boats launched to 2 vessels in difficulty on the rock groyne at the entrance to Rhyl harbour. The first power vessel had engine failure, and a yacht had gone to their aid, but had caught the rocks and lost their rudder, resulting in both boats going over the rock groyne and being in danger of being washed ashore. The Inshore lifeboat launched first, and established a tow on the yacht to take it clear of the rocks and the shore. The All-weather boat followed up, and arrived on scene to find the power vessel's crew had restarted the engine, and it was making it's way back round the groyne to Rhyl harbour. The ILB continued the tow until there was sufficient water for the AWB to take up the tow. This was successfully completed and the yacht and it's 5 passengers were towed safely back to Rhyl harbour, to Rhyl coastguard team, who assisted with mooring the boat. Once it was established that both casualties were safe, the lifeboats returned to station at 2000. The picture taken from the AWB shows the ILB towing the yacht to deeper water, with the power vessel entering the harbour behind.

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As the Atlantic lifeboat Tanni Grey was first on scene a crew member was put onto the rocks to assess the situation. Shortly afterwards the D class Elsie Ida Meade arrived on scene and two more crew members were able to assist with the casualty.  

Due to the conditions and where the casualty was positioned, a great amount of concentration and skill was needed by both the helms on the two lifeboats. The RAF search and rescue helicopter, Rescue 122 based at RAF Valley arrived on scene at 3:26pm where a winchman was lowered to prepare the casualty for medical evacuation.

RNLI contact

For more information please contact Gemma Griffiths, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, on 077929498433. 

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The event was hosted at the lifeboat station where the donor of the lifeboat, Mrs Patricia Bird from Kent splashed the bow with champagne as she named the new lifeboat in memory of her husband. 

Guests were greeted first by Paul Finn, Chairman of the Bude RNLI Lifeboat Management Group who said the ceremony continued a proud tradition for the station:

‘The first lifeboat for Bude was presented by King William IV in 1837. Our first D class inshore lifeboat arrived in 1966 and today we are welcoming the George Bird ensuring we have the very best up-to-date lifeboat. Without the generosity of Mrs Bird and that of our many volunteers, the RNLI wouldn’t be the charity it is today, thank you.’   

Chris Cloke, RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager at Bude, accepted the lifeboat on behalf of the station and took the opportunity to remind people of the need for more volunteers to support the charity’s work in the town:

‘We urgently need to find new helpers and supporters, including recruits for the crew and people who can help with our fundraising events. We hope this ceremony will illustrate the importance of our work saving lives at sea, and persuade people that there’s a lot of fun to be had as part of a local RNLI team.’

After the ceremony, during which Mrs Bird was presented with a bouquet of flowers, the new D class inshore lifeboat launched to the sound of a lone piper playing Trelawney.  The guests were then treated to hot drinks and very popular home-made biscuits produced by two of the station’s talented volunteers. 
 
George Bird replaces the station’s former D class inshore lifeboat Henry Philip that was on station from 2004 to 2012. During this time the lifeboat launched 69 times and rescued 29 people.

RNLI notes to editors

• The attached pictures should be credited to RNLI/Simon Culliford and are as follows:
*Mrs Patricia Bird naming the new Bude RNLI D class inshore lifeboat George Bird in memory of her late husband, with a little help from Tom Mansell, RNLI Divisional Operations Manager.
*The naming ceremony venue at Bude RNLI lifeboat station as the event begins.
*The new Bude RNLI D class inshore lifeboat George Bird is put through her paces at sea straight after the ceremony.

• A short video of the event is available from Tamsin Thomas via the contact details below.
 
• Since 1963 the D class has become the workhorse of the charity, being highly manoeuvrable, able to work close inshore in shallow water, broken surf and areas that other lifeboats in the fleet could not operate. D class lifeboats have accounted for 30% of all RNLI launches, and the D class lifeboat accounts for 48% of all inshore lifeboat launches.  The D class has been constantly refined and improved with many of the changes being suggested and trialled by volunteer crew members before being incorporated into the evolving design. The latest version was first produced in 2003 and incorporates the use of modern lightweight composite materials rather than timber, updated navigation and communications systems, and a more powerful outboard motor to improve acceleration and give a maximum speed of 25 knots.

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Tamsin Thomas, RNLI Public Relations Manager for the south west, on 07786 668847 or email Tamsin_Thomas@rnli.org.uk

Page Content: A packed house had gathered at St Richard’s Church Langney to pay their tributes to the life of a popular long term supporter of Eastbourne lifeboats when suddenly the crew pagers interrupted proceedings. The on duty volunteer lifeboat crew were forced to abruptly rush to the assistance of a crewman aboard Eastbourne’s largest commercial fishing boat who had suffered a severe allergic reaction.

The skipper of the Royal Sovereign became very concerned when one of his crew became seriously ill and contacted Dover Coastguard for immediate assistance. Eastbourne’s all-weather lifeboat was scrambled and was quickly on scene with the station’s medical advisor Stephen Lytton and crewman paramedic Guy Emery on board. The two were transferred to the Royal Sovereign to administer medical treatment to the casualty. With the casualty stabilised he was transferred to the ALB and transported back to Sovereign Harbour where he was passed into the care of a waiting ambulance crew who took him to Eastbourne District General Hospital.

Later, friends of Daphne said she would have been delighted with the drama at Church which would have made her day.   

Page Content: Operations Director Michael Vlasto will receive an honorary RNLI Silver Medal, one of the charity’s highest accolades, at its Annual Presentation of Awards Ceremony in London on 23 May.

In his 16 years as Operations Director, Michael played an extraordinarily significant role in steering the charity from a lifeboating organisation to one which now includes lifeguards, hovercraft, flood rescue teams, lifeboats on the River Thames, and lifesaving training abroad. Devoted to his lifeboat volunteers’ safety, Michael and his team strove for cutting-edge lifesaving technology and training. In his 39 years at the RNLI, lifeboats have more than trebled in speed and major advances have been made in crew safety.

RNLI Chairman, Admiral The Lord Boyce, said: ‘Michael is a well-respected, influential and charismatic leader of the RNLI’s coastal operations and his achievements in the RNLI have been outstanding. He has inspired and implemented many of the more innovative - and sometimes courageous - steps that the Institution has taken in recent years.’ 

On being told of his award, Michael said: ‘It took me completely by surprise – I feel very humbled. Working for this wonderful organisation has been a privilege and also intensely rewarding.’

As Operations Director, Michael is responsible for the charity’s 237 lifeboat stations, their 6,000 crew, and 1,000 lifeguards across the UK and Ireland. He has shared the highs and lows of a close-knit maritime search and rescue organisation, which is integral to the UK and Irish coastal communities.

Michael was a Divisional Inspector in Scotland in 1981, when the eight volunteer crew of the Penlee lifeboat Solomon Browne were lost in Cornwall while trying to save those onboard the coaster Union Star.

Michael continued: ‘There have been tragic times. Penlee, and incidents where crew and their families are directly affected, stay with you for ever.’

Michael started at the RNLI in 1975 as an Assistant Inspector after nine years as a professional mariner with P&O. Since then, he oversaw the progression from an 8-knot fleet of Oakley, Barnet, Watson and Rother class lifeboats to the new, technologically advanced, 25-knot lifeboats like today’s Shannon and Tamar. As well as the improvements to the RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat fleet, Michael introduced rescue hovercraft in 2002 to improve coverage in shallow waters and over mud flats and the charity now has four lifeboat stations equipped with these craft.

He was also instrumental in introducing lifeboats onto the River Thames in 2002 after the Marchioness disaster. Tower lifeboat station, near Waterloo Bridge in central London, uses boats capable of 40 knots for rapid response and is now the busiest station in the RNLI. 

RNLI lifeguards started watching over beaches in the southwest in 2001, a move seen by some as a radical departure from the RNLI’s traditional focus on lifeboats. Lifeguards now form a major and fundamental part of the charity’s lifesaving activity with around 1,000 lifeguards now patrolling over 200 beaches around the UK.

Under Michael’s leadership the charity’s Flood Rescue Team was formed in 2002 and had its busiest year in 2012, with 12 deployments to flooding incidents, notably in Wales, Devon and Cornwall.

Michael said: ‘These developments have been focussed on saving more lives at sea, which is what we’re about. But none of this would have happened without the dedication and hard work of a lot of people. And not just operational people; without the funding, without the support, without the technical expertise, we wouldn’t have made these massive steps forwards.’

Michael, a keen advocate of sharing RNLI knowledge and expertise with search and rescue organisations abroad, further developed the Institution’s move into international work, which has included training lifeguards in Senegal and Kenya, and lifeboat training in the People’s Republic of China, Bangladesh and Uruguay. Michael is currently Chairman of Trustees of the International Maritime Rescue Federation, the NGO representing the world’s search and rescue services which has consultative status at the International Maritime Organisation.

Lord Boyce continued: ‘The result of Michael’s unparalleled dedication to lifesaving - giving his time, emotion and commitment to the RNLI for nearly 40 years - is that he leaves behind an organisation which has grown massively in confidence and reach; which enjoys an unparalleled reputation for successful operations; and which has found a secure place in the public affection.
 
‘He also leaves behind the over 7,000 men and women who crew and operate the RNLI’s lifeboat stations, and about 1,000 lifeguards, feeling well-supported, well-equipped and highly confident in their abilities – all as a direct result of his stewardship’ 

Michael will be presented with his honorary Silver Medal at the RNLI’s Annual Presentation of Awards at the Barbican in London on 23 May. He retires in July and will be succeeded by George Rawlinson, currently RNLI Head of Lifesaving Operations. Among other plans, Michael intends to teach his grandchildren to sail in the dinghies his own children learned to sail. They will be wearing lifejackets!

Michael Vlasto timeline:

1966
• Joins the P&O Shipping company as a cadet, working his way up to Senior Second Officer
1975
• Joins the RNLI as Assistant Inspector based in the charity’s headquarters in Poole
1976
• Becomes Divisional Inspector of Lifeboats (Scotland South)
1984
• Becomes Divisional Inspector of Lifeboats (West)
1990
• Becomes Staff Officer Operations (Training)
1994
• Becomes Sea Safety Liaison Officer
1997
• Operations Director

RNLI timeline:

1972 
• The first RIB (rigid inflatable boat), the Atlantic 21, enters service.
1981
• The eight volunteer crew of the Penlee lifeboat Solomon Browne are lost while trying to save those onboard the coaster Union Star. This was the last time that volunteer RNLI crew members lost their lives while on service.
1999
• A new, standardised form of crew training, called Competency Based Training (CoBT) was introduced across the RNLI.
2001
• First RNLI lifeguards patrol beaches in southwest England
• The first inland lifeboat station is established at Enniskillen in Northern Ireland
2002
• Introduction of RNLI Rescue Hovercraft
• Introduction of RNLI International Flood Rescue Team
• Four RNLI lifeboat stations are established on the River Thames
2003
• Rod MacDonald becomes the first RNLI lifeguard to be awarded and RNLI medal.
2004
• Eileen Jones becomes the first female lifeboat crew member to be awarded an RNLI medal
2004
• The RNLI College opens in Poole
2006
• The Tamar class lifeboat enters service at Tenby


Media contacts
For more information please contact Isla Reynolds, Public Relations Officer, on 01202 663127 or 07899 076224 or by email at isla_reynolds@rnli.org.uk.

Page Content: The new evening race series got off to an unsuccessful start for one of the crews last night when a stray spinnaker halyard became entangled around the yachts rudder and propeller whilst the crew were manoeuvring at the start of the race. With restricted steerage and too close inshore to take any risk, the three people on board had no alternative but to call for assistance from Dover Coastguard. The volunteer crew of Eastbourne ALB were scrambled and were quickly on scene. The vessel was then taken under tow back to the marina locks.  

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The alarm was raised to Aberdeen Coastguard around 6.30pm by one of the stranded youths to advise they required assistance and that one of the group had fallen. 

Invergordon RNLI all-weather lifeboat Douglas Aikman Smith launched at 6.37pm and arrived on scene 15 minutes later and located the youths 50ft up the jagged cliff face.  

The lifeboat’s daughter craft was used to access the shoreline and two of the volunteer crew made their way up the cliff face to the ledge where the youths were stranded.
RNLI crew  classed the conditions as too dangerous to safely take them back down, therefore Aberdeen Coastguard requested the assistance of RAF Rescue 137 from Lossiemouth.  

With the crew comforting the group aged from 16 to 22, the Sea king Helicopter arrived within 10 minutes and winched the three friends to the shoreline.  

The three youths, two sisters and a male friend, were taken back to the lifeboat to be assessed and warmed up, while the lifeboat made its way back to berth at Invergordon West Harbour.  

Andrew Murray, Invergordon RNLI Coxswain said, “They did the right thing and call for help and not attempt to climb back down the cliff.”

RNLI Media Contacts: Michael MacDonald, Invergordon volunteer lifeboat press officer, 07751 204647. 

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The crew worked closely with the Coastguard and paramedics to help the gentleman who is now making a good recovery.

The lifeboat had already helped the fishing boat, Charlie's Dreams, and its occupants in the early hours of Saturday near the Rhyminey River in the Bristol Channel, when they had towed the boat into Cardiff after it suffered engine problems. Now on it's way back to its original launch site after its engine was fixed and with two people on board, the boat had been reported as overdue. 

The Coastguard asked Penarth lifeboat crew and land-based coastguard teams to help look for the boat.  The coastguard team located the boat and directed the lifeboat to it.

When the Atlantic inshore lifeboat arrived they took one woman suffering from seasickness off and began to tow the boat back to harbour.

During the tow, the man on board, Darren Wembridge, said he was experiencing severe chest pains and the crew swiftly called on their colleagues in the D class inshore lifeboat, who were helping another boat elsewhere, to help.

The crew helped Darren onto the lifeboat and gave him advanced first aid as they took him quickly to a waiting ambulance. The crew transferred him to the paramedics who took him to hospital.

Darren said: 'Thank you for everything you have done for me and my partner over the weekend. I am forever grateful.'

Jason Dunlop, volunteer crew at Penarth and one of those treating Darren, said: 'It was a real team effort - the Coastguard team searched up the coast and spotted the boat, which meant that we could get there really quickly. Once we'd rescued him we were then able to pass him onto the paramedics.'

Jason continued: 'It just goes to show that telling someone when you're due back in harbour can be a lifesaver. We were there to help Darren because someone had reported the boat as overdue - we were in the right place at the right time and are so pleased to have been able to help Darren and hear that he is making a good recovery.'

The dramatic rescue came after a busy day for the Penarth crew. As well as the two launches to the fishing boat Charlie's Dreams, the crew had also helped a sailing boat at 11am. They were towing that boat back to harbour when it started taking on water and the crew were forced to beach it. They returned at 6pm to help refloat the yacht and make sure it was no longer taking on water. The yacht had been safely refloated when the call came for the D class inshore lifeboat to help the casualty suffering from chest pains.

Page Content: Two persons, one in an open canoe and the other in a kayak, were reported by the Coastguard’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Stornoway as having difficulties in Gruinard Bay and a red flare had been sighted.

One of the two men, both whom were staying in the area on holiday, decided to take his canoe to sea off the beach at Mellon Udrigle on the west side of Gruinard Bay. Unfortunately his open Canadian style canoe caught too much of the wind and he soon found himself being blown out into the bay. His friend could see the canoe was having difficulty in the strong winds and decided to join him in his kayak. However, despite their best efforts for over an hour, the pair found themselves unable to make any headway back towards the beach against the wind, which by that time was blowing offshore at up to 25 miles per hour.

The men, seeing people watching from the beach, then tied their craft together and set off a red flare, recognised at sea as being an emergency distress signal. They also carried a mobile phone with them and used it to call the coastguard on 999 for assistance, resulting in the launch of the Lochinver lifeboat.

The lifeboat arrived in Gruinard Bay and located the two men about 40 minutes later, after a slightly rough passage down through the Summer Isles in a choppy sea. As the lifeboat came into view, the pair let off an orange smoke flare, also recognised at sea as an emergency distress signal. This made locating them significantly easier for the crew of the lifeboat and the two men were quickly taken aboard and their craft recovered from the water. Appropriate casualty care was administered in the form of a number of chocolate biscuits as both men were warm in their dry suits and appeared to be fit and well and in good spirits, just a little peckish.

The coxswain of the lifeboat on the day, Bruce MacKenzie, said; ”The two men were prepared for being at sea; wearing dry suits and carrying lifejackets and flares to attract attention. The only other equipment they might consider carrying in future is a VHF radio as an essential piece of kit for communicating at sea beyond the range of mobile phones.”
 
The lifeboat then returned closer in to the beach at Mellon Udrigle and the two men were taken ashore by the lifeboat’s smaller inflatable boat and landed on the beach, followed by their canoe and kayak.

When asked what his plans were for the rest of the afternoon, the canoeist insisted he would not be going back to sea and instead would be walking his dog very much on dry land.

The lifeboat then departed Gruinard Bay at 01:45 pm and returned to Lochinver and was tied up alongside her own pontoon ready for service again at 03:50 pm.

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She’s now being recognised for her efforts with the RNLI Youth Supporter Award, to be presented at a ceremony in London on 23 May.

Natasha, 15, from Cowes on the Isle of Wight, has athetoid cerebral palsy which affects all of her limbs and speech. Using a specially adapted boat, Miss Isle Too, which allows Natasha to steer by sucking and blowing into a tube, she undertook a round-the-Island voyage on 9 September last year. She has so far raised over £17,000 for the RNLI and two other charities close to her heart.

Natasha was inspired to raise money for the RNLI after her sailing instructor was injured during a boat race and rescued by the charity’s volunteer crew.

She said: 'Cowes lifeboat helped my friend last year who was involved in an accident - so now it’s my chance to help them!'

Mark Southwell, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Cowes Lifeboat Station, said: ‘Through Natasha’s fundraising our lifeboat station has been equipped with a new kitchen – no lifeboat station works without a nice strong cup of tea, so it’s undoubtedly one of the most important parts. We’re very grateful for that.

‘The crew have become firm friends with both Natasha and her family. We owe an awful lot to Tash, and we just hope we never have to meet professionally!’

On the day of the challenge, the crew from Cowes launched their inshore lifeboat for the final leg of Natasha’s journey, and held up a banner welcoming her back to the harbour, accompanied by the cheers of a large crowd.

Natasha’s mother Amanda summed up the emotion of the day: ‘The moment Natasha crossed the finish line, there wasn’t a dry eye on any of the boats.’ 

But Natasha won’t stop there – her next adventure is to cross the Channel from Dover to Calais in Miss Isle Too in July of this year. You can find out more about her adventure via her website, www.missisle.com.  

ENDS

Notes to editors
• The RNLI’s annual presentation of awards takes place at the Barbican Centre in London on 23 May. Medals for gallantry are presented to selected crew, volunteers and lifeguards. Fundraisers and corporate partners are also recognised for their contribution to the charity.
• A short film about Natasha’s story will be available on the RNLI’s Press Centre after the awards ceremony at 2.30pm on 23 May.
• Other recipients of RNLI Supporter Awards will feature on RNLI social media channels in the coming weeks, and will use the hashtag #ProudOfOurCrowd. 
• Photo shows Natasha with her boat, Miss Isle Too. Please credit RNLI.
Natasha Lambert
• The total raised by Natasha in her round-the-island voyage was £17,758.47.
• The other two charities that Natasha’s total fund will be split between are Isle of Wight Scope and the Ellen MacArthur Trust.
• Follow Natasha’s progress at www.missisle.com

RNLI media contacts
For further information, please contact:
• Lauren Hockey, Public Relations Officer, on 01202 336194 or by email at lauren_hockey@rnli.org.uk

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Although the RNLI station's all weather Trent class lifeboat, Esme Anderson, and the inshore Atlantic 75 class, Bob Turnbull, launched timeously when they arrived on scene the 30ft. Dutch yacht was aground on the water's edge in the sandy bay on an ebbing tide. 

With the yacht now firmly aground and having confirmed with the on scene Coastguard Mobile Team that the one crew member was safe and unharmed and that they would deal with matters ashore the lifeboats were stood down and returned to Ramsgate.

RNLI media contacts

• John Ray, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer (Ramsgate Lifeboat)
07759 480825 / john.g.ray@talk21.com
• Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East)
0207 6207426 / 07785 296252 / tim_ash@rnli.org.uk
• Philly Byrde, RNLI Press Officer (London/East/South East)
0207 6207425 / 07786 668825 / philly_byrde@rnli.org.uk
• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

Page Content: The fishing boat ”Nimrod”, which operates charters out of Kinlochbervie, was heading out to sea for a day’s angling with a party of 10 on board when the skipper noticed his oil pressure dropping and decided to stop his engine. On closer inspection he found a part in the oil filtration system had failed and he was indeed losing oil. At that point the skipper made the wise decision to alert the coastguard on emergency VHF radio channel 16 that he was experiencing difficulties and was in need of urgent assistance.

The Coastguard Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Stornoway then requested the Lochinver lifeboat to launch and as the pagers went off to summon the crew from their peaceful Sunday mornings, some were only just waking, one was in the bath, others were having a leisurely breakfast and 2 were on the bridge of a fishing trawler in harbour doing their duty as Fishery Officers.

The lifeboat then launched within 5 minutes after being paged and arrived alongside the disabled “Nimrod” an hour later at 10:50 am. In the interim a smaller local fishing boat had stood by the “Nimrod”, helping to arrest her drift toward the rocks in an on shore wind, blowing from the south west at about 15 to 20 mph.

The lifeboat quickly took the “Nimrod” under tow and she was placed alongside her berth on the harbour wall inside Kinlochbervie harbour half an hour later at 11:20 am. The party of anglers, up from Aviemore, were disappointed not to have their day’s fishing but were delighted with the excitement of being rescued by the lifeboat and all expressed their sincere gratitude.

Having ensured the “Nimrod”, her skipper and all passengers were safe and secure, the lifeboat departed Kinlochbervie to return to Lochinver and was tied up alongside her own pontoon ready for service again at 01:30 pm.

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The RNLI station’s all weather lifeboat, the Trent class Esme Anderson, was launched to at 4.20pm to assist the 34ft. yacht which was some 12 miles east of Ramsgate and had been sailing from the continent. The lifeboat was on the scene some 30 minutes after launch and managed to get a line aboard the casualty, which, in the weather conditions, was in a dangerous situation.

Following this the yacht and her crew were safely towed to Ramsgate Harbour, a slow process in the weather conditions and taking some 2 hours.

RNLI media contacts

• John Ray, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer (Ramsgate Lifeboat)
07759 480825 / john.g.ray@talk21.com
• Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East)
0207 6207426 / 07785 296252 / tim_ash@rnli.org.uk
• Philly Byrde, RNLI Press Officer (London/East/South East)
0207 6207425 / 07786 668825 / philly_byrde@rnli.org.uk
• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
RNLI online: For more information on the RNLI please visit http://www.rnli.org/. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre.

Page Content: A flotilla of French sailors had spent the night in Sovereign Harbour before setting sail to cross the Channel to Fecamp in Northern France. Unfortunately for them, fishing gear had been placed very close to the harbour entrance which the visitors failed to notice whilst hauling their sails for their return passage. Stuck fast in the gear they sent out a ‘Pan-Pan’ distress call which was answered by Dover Coastguard. With another vessel from the French fleet acting as interpreter communication was established with Eastbourne ALB which was quickly on scene. Eventually the ALB managed to extradite the vessel from the entrapment. Having checked that steerage and engine facility had been restored the yacht was able to continue its passage.

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Come rain or shine, the August bank holiday is one of the busiest weekends of the year for the RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crew members and lifeguards. This year, despite renewed strike action by HM Coastguard members, it will be business as usual for the charity’s lifeboat crews and lifeguards.
 
Last August bank holiday weekend, the RNLI launched lifeboats 230 times to those in danger at sea, while RNLI lifeguards responded to 819 incidents on busy beaches.

This year, the charity’s crews and lifeguards are preparing for another busy time despite further HM Coastguard strike action. The RNLI lifesaving charity is independent of the Government and HM Coastguard and is operating normally.

RNLI Chief Executive Andrew Freemantle CBE is concerned that the strike action could affect lifeboat launching:

‘Anything that causes a break in the communications chain between those requiring assistance at sea, HM Coastguard and the rescue resources – in our case RNLI lifeboats – could potentially put lives at risk. Therefore we are monitoring the situation closely and liaising with the coastguard over their contingency plans. The RNLI responds to 9 out of 10 maritime emergency calls requiring lifeboats and, in the light of continuing industrial action, and to minimise the potential effect of any delay in emergency communication, the RNLI is reviewing its options regarding launching its lifeboats to maritime emergencies.’

Freemantle is also keen to ensure that the public are clear that RNLI lifeboats and lifeguards will not be on strike this weekend:

‘There is still some confusion in the minds of the public over the respective roles of the RNLI and the Coastguard. The RNLI’s charitable UK lifeboat service is provided entirely through the public’s generosity, unlike the Coastguard which is government-funded. If people think our lifeboat crews are part of the strike then there is a real possibility that they will not support our charity in the future.’

As the weekend approaches, following recent tragic incidents around the coast, RNLI National Beach Safety Manager Steve Wills is concerned that the public are still not taking safety warnings seriously enough:

‘Too many families and friends have had to face the harrowing task of coming to terms with the loss of a loved one on the coast this summer, some of these could have been avoided if people took safety seriously; but RNLI research shows that less than ten per cent of people consider safety when choosing a beach to swim at.

‘The unpredictable nature of the weather is unlikely to deter avid beach-goers and sea-farers from going to the beach and using the water this weekend so it’s even more important that they swim at lifeguarded beaches. We are also very concerned at the increasing numbers of people tombstoning, especially when under the influence of alcohol. We don’t recommend tombstoning under any circumstances, but our advice is if you do is to always check the depth first and never jump or dive if you are unsure of what’s under the surface of the water. It’s important to remember that the depth of the water can alter quickly with a changing tide.

‘The August bank holiday weekend is always a busy one for us. If you’re on the coast or at sea please make safety a priority, follow our safety tips and have a great weekend.’

Beach safety tips:
1. Always swim at a lifeguarded beach and between the red and yellow flags
2. Never swim under the influence of alcohol or drugs
3. Always supervise children and never let them play in the water alone
4. If you get into trouble, stick your hand in the air and shout for help
5. If you see someone else in trouble, tell a lifeguard. If you can’t see a lifeguard, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard

Sea Safety tips:
1. Wear a lifejacket
2. Check your engine and fuel
3. Tell others where you are going
4. Carry some means of calling for help
5. Keep an eye on weather and tides

Notes to editors / picture desks / news desks:

· During previous strike action, there have been instances of media reports confusing the respective roles of the RNLI and HM Coastguard. This is particularly damaging to the reputation of the RNLI, a charity, which is reliant upon donations to support its volunteer lifeboat crews and its lifeguards to save lives at sea.

· Please ensure that any images use in relation to the HM Coastguard strike threat do not portray RNLI lifeboats in a way that suggests RNLI lifeboat crews are taking part in the strike action.

· HM Coastguard has a statutory responsibility for coordinating search and rescue (SAR) around the coastline of the UK. HM Coastguard decides which resources are needed for a search and rescue incident and requests lifeboats to launch – RNLI volunteer crews respond to that request by launching lifeboats and carrying out search and rescue at sea.

· Two photos are attached: One of an RNLI Tamar class all-weather lifeboat (please credit Nicholas Leach) and another of an RNLI lifeguard (please credit Greg Spray).

· For video footage of RNLI lifeboats and lifeguards, visit the following links to the RNLI’s official YouTube site: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehTyqCQ5mI0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afC96imL9Cs

RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone the RNLI Public Relations office on 01202 336789 or email pressoffice@rnli.org.uk.
 
RNLI online
For more information on the RNLI please visit www.rnli.org.uk. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI Press Centre www.rnli.org.uk/press

Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 100 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 137,000 lives. The RNLI is a charity registered in England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.

Page Content: The President was accompanied by his wife Sabina and the couple spent some time viewing the historical exhibition in the lifeboat station before unveiling a plaque on the lifeboat station’s wall to commemorate the visit.  The President and Mrs Higgins then walked through the village where the President addressed the crowds that had gathered in the sunshine on the main street.

President Higgins and Mrs Higgins first stop on arriving in the village was the stone lifeboat station in the middle of the main street which overlooks the harbour and the lifeboat. There he was greeted by Michele O ’Dwyer, Chairperson of the Courtmacsherry fundraising Branch, Barry Flynn, lifeboat station co-ordinator, Coxswain Sean O’Farrell, Lifeboat Mechanic Stuart Russell and Deputy Launching Authority Diarmuid Mahony.  They met with the Courtmacsherry RNLI volunteers, station management and former Coxswain and bronze medal awardee Dan O ‘Dwyer before viewing the lifeboat exhibition in the station and signing the visitor’s book.
 
The Presidential couple viewed documents and photographs from the sinking of the Lusitania when the Courtmacsherry lifeboat launched with the crew rowing for over three hours in a desperate bid to reach survivors from the torpedoed vessel off the Old Head of Kinsale, Co Cork. They also learned of the lifeboats role in the search and rescue operation following the Fastnet Race tragedy of 1979 where fifteen sailors lost their lives. The Courtmacsherry lifeboat was among of group of RNLI lifeboats which spent 75 hours at sea in 60 knot winds.

Welcoming the President to Courtmacsherry, Courtmachserry RNLI Fundraising Chairperson Michele O’Dwyer said, “We could not have a more distinguished guest.  This is a historic day for our village.  Courmachserry lifeboat station has a long and distinguished history, being one of the first established stations in 1825.  It is my privilege on behalf of Courtmacsherry lifeboat station and the surrounding area of Barryroe to formally welcome the President of Ireland Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina to Courtmacsherry.

The President then spoke to the crowds gathered in the sunshine and paid tribute to the lifeboat volunteers and the community, “The Courtmacsherry lifeboat service has a long and proud history that stretches back almost two hundred years. There is something extraordinary about both the great promise and the great threat of the sea but even more so by the lives of those who have to deal with it and those in particular who have to use their skill and patience and every characteristic of the human spirit to actually address the position of those who are in difficulties.

Courtmacsherry has had a relationship with the sea that has always called forth the greatest examples of heroism and courage but also practicality and preparation to be able to be of assistance. To be of assistance you have to have so many different characteristics.

I think that today in Ireland we must always look and take example and strength from those who give us the greatest examples.  I think it is uplifting that in this place that demonstrates so strongly what community means, a lifeboat is here and the community stands behind that lifeboat.”

The Courtmacsherry exhibition had a strong emphasis on the lifeboat and its crew with most families in the village having had loved ones serving as volunteer lifeboat crew since 1825. To mark the occasion of the visit of the President and Mrs Higgins, two presentations were made.  The first was a piece of sculpture which was presented to President Higgins by volunteer lifeboat crewmember Gearóid O’Donovan, whose grandfather Jack was also a lifeboat volunteer. The piece was called ´circle of friends` and was made by local woman Gillian Noonan.  It was to represent the gathering of people in Courtmacsherry for this special occasion and was presented on a wooden plinth turned from local wood by Barry Flynn.  Courtmacsherry RNLI fundraiser Martha Drake also presented a bouquet of flowers to Mrs Higgins.

Hundreds of people lined the street in the good weather and the President and Mrs Higgins stayed behind to meet with many of the well-wishers. 

Ends

Note for editors:
Photos are available please credit Provision/Mike MacSweeney
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Niamh Stephenson RNLI Public Relations Manager on 087 1254 124 or 01 8900 460 email Niamh_Stephenson@rnli.org.uk or Nuala McAloon RNLI Press Officer Tel: 087 6483547 or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789
For press queries regarding President Higgins please contact Áras an Uachtaráin Press Office Tel: 01-617 1000

Page Content:

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) will be celebrating its attendance at the 40th Southampton Boat Show (12 – 21 September 2008) with its biggest ever presence at the show. The charity that saves lives at sea will, for the first time, host a series of seminars for leisure boaters in partnership with the RYA, Sea Start and Helly Hansen; as well as giving show visitors the chance to experience the RNLI’s virtual lifeboat training experience on stand B73, a free lifejacket clinic on stand C9 and the opportunity to get on board an RNLI all-weather lifeboat in the marina (berth 61).

The four RNLI seminars will offer leisure boaters a 'bite-sized' twenty minute look at subjects ranging from lifejackets and taking a boat on a cross-channel passage to diesel engines and also a light-hearted look at stylish survival at sea - the latest fashion and clothing technologies for men and women on the water.

The RNLI seminars will be supported by the Royal Yachting Association, Sea Start and Helly Hansen who have each put forward expert presenters to talk on the respective subjects of boating abroad (RYA), diesel engine maintenance (Sea Start) and stylish survival at sea (Helly Hansen).

RNLI sea safety volunteers will present the seminar on lifejackets, a subject that is a major focus for RNLI sea safety as it works to encourage more leisure boaters to automatically put a lifejacket on when they go to sea and then decide whether they should take it off. This stance forms the key element of the RNLI’s ‘Useless unless worn’ lifejacket awareness campaign.

Commenting on the new seminar series RNLI Marketing Manager, Richard Devereux says:

‘The RNLI seminar series has been created for those who enjoy having serious fun on the water and is open to all who attend the Southampton Boat Show. The twenty-minute seminars will provide a practical look at subjects ranging from lifejackets to ladies nautical fashion. We’re delighted to be working in partnership with the RYA, Sea Start and Helly Hansen and thank them for their time and commitment to our first seminar series.’

All are welcome to attend the RNLI Sea Safety Seminars but there are limited places, however each seminar topic will run twice a day at the Holiday Inn Lounge, Southampton Boat Show at the following times every day of the show:

11am - 11:20am & 2:20pm - 2:40pm – Lifejackets: sink or swim?
What to buy, how to fit and how to maintain

11:40am - 12pm & 3:00pm - 3:20pm – Adventuring abroad?
How to plan, what you need and what to take – in partnership with the RYA

12:20pm - 12:40pm & 3:40pm - 4:00pm – Suck, squeeze, bang, blow...
How to maintain your diesel engine, how to avoid breakdowns and what spares to take with you – in partnership with Sea Start

1pm - 1:20pm & 4:20pm - 4:40pm – One for the ladies....
Stylish survival at sea!

RNLI sea safety volunteers will be on stand C9 throughout the course of the show to provide a range of free sea safety advice, answer any queries or questions from the RNLI seminars and FREE lifejacket clinics will be available by popular demand. An RNLI Atlantic 75 in-shore lifeboat will feature on stand C9 and there will be the opportunity to talk to volunteer lifeboat crew about their lifesaving roles at the 24/7 marine search and rescue charity.

The RNLI membership team will also be on hand on stand C9 to answer queries from any existing supporters and to sign up new ones. Joining the RNLI costs from just over £5 per month and provides a range of features to help keep you safe on the water. Special incentives are provided for those signing up at the show.

The RNLI’s main stand (B73) will be located in the heart of the chandlery zone for the first time this year and, as well as the chance to experience the RNLI’s virtual lifeboat training experience the RNLI education team will be on hand daily to help inspire the next generation of RNLI supporters and volunteers. If it’s retail therapy you’re after then there will be plenty of RNLI goodies, perfect presents for friends and family – including Christmas cards for those organised shoppers!

Experience RNLI all-weather and inshore lifeboats afloat by visiting berth 61 in the Hydropool Marina.

Notes to editors
The RNLI at Southampton Boat Show 2008:

• Holiday Inn – The four RNLI Hosted Seminars each run twice daily throughout the show from 11am – 16:40 at the Holiday Inn.
• Stand B73 – As a charity, the RNLI relies on your support to provide a 24/7 marine search and rescue service that saves lives at sea. Find out more about the work of our volunteer lifeboat crews and come on board the new RNLI Lifeboat Training Experience and witness a rescue from the eyes of a volunteer crew member. Your experience will help support the RNLI’s ‘Train One, Save Many’ campaign to fund training for our volunteer lifeboat crew.
• Stand C9 – RNLI sea safety volunteers will be on hand to provide a range of free sea safety advice including: lifejacket clinics – by popular demand throughout the day.
• Experience RNLI lifeboats on the water by visiting berth 61 – Atlantic 85 inshore and an all-weather lifeboat

RNLI media contacts For more information please telephone Katie Wilton, RNLI Public Relations Officer on 01202 336789 or kwilton@rnli.org.uk / pressoffice@rnli.org.uk

RNLI online
For more information on the RNLI please visit www.rnli.org.uk. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI Press Centre www.rnli.org.uk/press

Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 100 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 137,000 lives. The RNLI is a charity registered in England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.

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Ocean Safety – specialists in the supply and service of marine safety equipment – announced their support for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution by joining the charity’s Ambassador Scheme at the opening day of Southampton Boat Show (Friday 12 September).

The RNLI’s Ambassador Scheme was set-up in 2006 to promote RNLI Offshore membership for recreational sea users and to enhance the marine search and rescue charity’s links within the marine industry.

As an RNLI Ambassador Ocean Safety will be offering a year’s complimentary RNLI membership with the purchase of a top end product, such as an Ocean ISO liferaft, ACR EPIRB or a Jonbuoy Recovery Module. To further encourage the purchase of appropriate man overboard and lifesaving equipment, voucher schemes will be run in the RNLI Offshore magazine throughout the year, offering product promotions, combined with vital advice for sea users.

Commenting on their new partnership with the RNLI, Charlie Mill of Ocean Safety says:

‘We are a long time and active supporter of the great work, which the RNLI carry out in terms of education, as well as their crucial role in saving lives at sea. Our respect for the volunteer crews around the coast on call on a daily basis, often in the most atrocious weather, is enormous. We welcome this opportunity to work with the RNLI to provide greater awareness of the importance of using the appropriate safety products for each type and area of water use.’

David Brann, RNLI Fundraising and Communication Director says:

We welcome Ocean Safety to the RNLI’s Ambassador Scheme. As a charity the RNLI depends on voluntary contributions and legacies for its income, so support from both industry and the public through RNLI membership is absolutely crucial. I am grateful to Ocean Safety for joining the growing collection of companies that are demonstrating their appreciation of the life-saving work of our volunteer crews and the need for safety at sea in this practical way.

The RNLI’s membership is designed for all recreational sea users, from kayakers, windsurfers and jet skiers to sailors and motor boaters. It provides a range of benefits, including: a CD-ROM containing interactive educational programmes on safety at sea, the opportunity for an RNLI SEA Check, the RYA’s Diesel Engine Maintenance DVD, complimentary copies of the RNLI’s Offshore and Lifeboat magazines and of course access to Ambassador Scheme special promotions.

Notes to editors
The RNLI at Southampton Boat Show 2008:
· Holiday Inn – The four RNLI Hosted Seminars each run twice daily throughout the show from 11am – 16:40 at the Holiday Inn.
· Stand B73 – As a charity, the RNLI relies on your support to provide a 24/7 marine search and rescue service that saves lives at sea. Find out more about the work of our volunteer lifeboat crews and come on board the new RNLI Lifeboat Training Experience and witness a rescue from the eyes of a volunteer crew member. Your experience will help support the RNLI’s ‘Train One, Save Many’ campaign to fund training for our volunteer lifeboat crew.
· Stand C9 – RNLI sea safety volunteers will be on hand to provide a range of free sea safety advice including: lifejacket clinics – by popular demand throughout the day.
· Experience RNLI lifeboats on the water by visiting berth 61 – Atlantic 85 inshore and an all-weather lifeboat

Ocean Safety - specialists in the supply and service of marine safety equipment. For more information go to: www.oceansafety.com

RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Katie Wilton, RNLI Public Relations Officer on 01202 336789 / 07899 076 224 or kwilton@rnli.org.uk / pressoffice@rnli.org.uk

RNLI online
For more information on the RNLI please visit www.rnli.org.uk. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI Press Centre www.rnli.org.uk/press

Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 100 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 137,000 lives. The RNLI is a charity registered in England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.

 

Page Content: Doctor McKee first joined Eastbourne lifeboats in 1976 a few years after taking up his new medical practice in Hampden Park, and joined the crew of the slipway launched Watson class ‘Charles Dibdin’. Since then he has served on four different classes of lifeboat leading up to the current hi-tech vessel ‘Diamond Jubilee’ and has received both silver and gold awards from the RNLI to mark his loyalty and dedication. He has been instrumental in creating dedicated medical exercises and first aid procedures for the RNLI which now forms the basis of all casualty care training for lifeboat crewmen throughout the UK and Ireland.  
 
The older class boats did not have the crew comforts of modern lifeboats and Colin has many tales of cold wet nights when casualty vessels were towed to Newhaven before Sovereign Harbour was built, a journey which sometimes took as long as eight hours to complete. One thing Colin says he definitely will not miss is climbing a rope ladder in rolling seas to board a freighter in order to attend an injured crewman. One particularly harrowing experience back in the 1990’s was when the lifeboat was called to the Indian vessel ‘Vishva Parage’ to treat a sick crewman who was suffering from Malaria. The ship was running without cargo so she was sitting particularly high in the water, due to the shape of the hull the first few feet of ladder was swinging in mid air. Colin decided the casualty should be transferred to hospital via the lifeboat and was speechless for the first time in many years when the freighter lowered a gangplank for their crewman who casually walked down and stepped aboard the lifeboat, a facility that Colin noted with some dismay hadn’t been offered to him when he first boarded the vessel risking life and limb, to say nothing of his dignity!

Colin says his fondest memories will be of the fantastic crews he has served with over the years and looks forward to continuing his work for Eastbourne lifeboats in his role as Chairman of the Lifeboat Management Group.

Picture shows Dr McKee surrounded by some of the crew receiving his framed letter of thanks from the RNLI Chief Executive Paul Bossier presented at Sunday’s crew meeting by Paul Metcalfe, Operations Manager of Eastbourne lifeboats.

Page Content: On Thursday the ILB was launched at 12.08 after a member of the public observed what they thought was a small yacht with nobody on board drifting west passed Eastbourne pier. The lifeboat was soon alongside the suspect vessel only to find the skipper in the cockpit blissfully unaware that he was the subject of a lifeboat launch. With all well the volunteer crew returned to station.

On Saturday, following several 999 calls to Dover Coastguard, the ILB was launched at 15.57 to assist two windsurfers who appeared to be in difficulties in Pevensey Bay. When on scene the volunteer crew found no casualties but observed two windsurfers on the beach. Having thoroughly checked the area with nothing found the crew was stood down and returned to station.

On Sunday morning at 08.45 the ILB was launched to assist four anglers in their small fishing boat which had suffered engine failure and was drifting helplessly. With no working VHF radio on board the anglers had contacted Dover Coastguard via mobile phone. The vessel was taken under tow by the ILB and returned to the beach near the local angling club where safety advice was offered by the volunteer crew.

Page Content:

The first incident, at 6.12pm, involved the launch of the inshore lifeboat, the Atlantic 75 class Bob Turnbull, and followed a report of two kite surfers in difficulty in nearby Pegwell Bay. On arrival at the scene the only sign of kite surfers was on the shore and after the RNLI volunteers had confirmed that they were safe and in good health the lifeboat returned to the boathouse, the call being regarded as a false alarm with good intent.

The second launch of the evening was at 8.17pm when the RNLI station’s all weather lifeboat, the Trent class Esme Anderson, was launched to assist a 15m. yacht which had suffered a complete electrical failure some 7.5 miles east of Ramsgate. On arrival at the scene the lifeboat crew took the yacht in tow and brought it and its crew safely into Ramsgate Harbour.   

RNLI media contacts

• John Ray, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer (Ramsgate Lifeboat)
07759 480825 / john.g.ray@talk21.com
• Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East)
0207 6207426 / 07785 296252 / tim_ash@rnli.org.uk
• Philly Byrde, RNLI Press Officer (London/East/South East)
0207 6207425 / 07786 668825 / philly_byrde@rnli.org.uk
• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

Page Content: The first was to a vessel aground on the Cockle Bank at Port Glasgow which had two persons on board; although no request for assistance had been received from the crew of the grounded vessel, the Coastguard wished to confirm that they were ok.  As the grounded vessel, a white hulled cabin cruiser, was several hundred metres outside the navigation channel, and due to the state of the tide, two lifeboat crew members had to wade across the sandbanks towards the grounded cruiser. Once it was established that the two men on board did not require any assistance, the lifeboat crew members returned to the lifeboat.

The lifeboat then attended the second incident, a tug reported to be sinking at the mouth of Loch Goil. The tug was low in the water and clearly taking in water.  It was unmanned and on a mooring.  As the lifeboat crew was not able to gain access to the locked vessel they were unable to investigate the cause of the problem or take any action.  It was therefore agreed that the lifeboat would return to base and that a commercial salvage operation would be undertaken later.

At 2206 hours the same day the Lifeboat was again launched after Belfast Coastguard received a report from a resident of Rhu village that there was a fire on board a yacht in Rhu Bay. Despite a thorough search of the area, during which a number of illumination flares were fired, nothing untoward was found. The conclusion was that this was a false alarm with good intent. The lifeboat returned to base and was reported ready for service again at 2300 hours.

Page Content: Daffodils were in plentiful supply as visitors strolled in the grounds of Foulis Castle, which overlooks the Cromarty Firth.  

RNLI mascot, Stormy Stan, welcomed guests and joined visitors at the range of stalls and attractions, needing to duck his head entering the marquee and the old stone-floored kitchen in the castle!   

Afternoon tea was served in two separate venues within the castle itself, in the old kitchen and in the castle’s splendid dining room. Most notably, Mrs Munro made her snooker table available to display the vast array of home baking for sale.   

Attractions in the grounds included a children’s treasure hunt, face painting, a display of birds of prey, sideshow stalls, and a range of craft stalls. During the afternoon, Highland Dog Agility provided a very entertaining dog agility display, and visitors inside the castle and out were entertained by live music from Corralach and the Kiltearn Fiddlers.  

Many folk made their way home with bunches of daffodils from the castle lawns, with the full approval of Mrs Munro.  

Chairman of the RNLI Easter Ross branch, also full time lifeboat mechanic, Kevin Dent, was delighted that this event gave an enjoyable afternoon to so many visitors and was able to announce later that the event had raised in excess of £3100 for RNLI funds

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Leverburgh is an all-weather lifeboat station with a Mersey class lifeboat situated on the Sound of Harris and within its first year of operation, as a trial station, it had 17 shouts.

Now the station has been upgraded to a permanent facility and a dedication service was held on Leverburgh Pier to mark the occasion. This is Scotland’s 46th station.

Leverburgh is a small island community but the villagers were out in force, joined by  the children of Leverburgh and Shelibost Schools who took part in the festivities. The service was conducted by the lifeboat station’s chaplain, Rev. Ruairidh MacLean.

The guests included the RNLI’s chairman, Admiral Lord Boyce, and the RNLI’s Operations Director, Michael Vlasto.

Leverburgh RNLI Chairman, Neil Campbell, commented, ‘It is both an honour and a privilege for us all at Leverburgh to welcome two of the RNLI’s most senior members to our station.

‘We are indebted to the RNLI’s Board of Trustees,and the RNLI’s employees for their part in making our aspiration a reality.’

Lord Boyce told the guests, ‘We have made quite a journey to be here, but you have been on a much more challenging one.

‘It’s a journey that began with a request that the RNLI set up a lifeboat station. Many people have played a key part in making that vision a reality and it’s a pleasure to come along, to meet you face to face, and to congratulate you on becoming a permanent station.

‘Although Leverburgh is a new station, I know you are already part of the charity’s family – that big community where, if you are wearing an RNLI logo, you get a cup of tea whatever station you visit.’

He thanked all the volunteers on the crew and those working on other roles at the station, and the fundraisers, for their dedication and hard work.

Michael Vlasto will retire soon as the RNLI’s Operations Director after nearly 40 years with the charity and this was one of his last official functions on the coast.

He said that the case for opening a new station at Leverburgh had been compelling. It bridged a gap in cover between the flanking stations of Stornoway, Portree and Barra and the station was required to be on standby to assist an increase in marine traffic in hazardous waters.

‘But lifeboat stations don’t just get set up by magic – we can only meet the need if the people are in place.

‘Everyone in Leverburgh has shown a can-do attitude with the community working together, volunteers being recruited and people meeting the challengers of an initially temporary arrangement, and getting to grips with a trusty Mersey class boat,’ said Mr Vlasto.

The lifeboat is The Royal Thames. It costs on average £4,100 a week to run an RNLI all-weather lifeboat station.

Picture Caption: RNLI Operations Director Michael Vlasto, left, and the RNLI Chairman Admiral Lord Boyce with some of the Leverburgh crew.  Pic by Richard Smith

RNLI Media Contacts: Richard Smith, RNLI Public Relations Manager for Scotland, 07786 668903. Email Richard_Smith2@rnli.org.uk

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Ever wanted to witness first-hand the life-saving work of RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews? Well now, for the first time at the ‘Sail, Power and Watersports Show’, you can…

…It’s 6am, the pager sounds – you’re heading out on a ‘shout’. You rush to the lifeboat station, get your kit on, jump aboard the lifeboat and it’s launched down the slipway before accelerating out into the swollen seas to search for a stricken yacht…

For your chance to experience a rescue, as witnessed through the eyes of a volunteer lifeboat crew member from the bridge of a Tamar class all-weather lifeboat, visit the RNLI’s stand (A34) at the ‘Sail, Power and Watersports Show’ at Earls Court in London (26 – 30 November 2008) and have a go on the Lifeboat Training Experience simulator.

Commenting on the RNLI’s presence at the show, Andy Whyte, National Campaigns & Events Manager for the RNLI, says:

‘In the run up to the RNLI’s national fundraising day – SOS Day – on Friday 30th January, I’d like to put out an SOS to all sail, power and watersports enthusiasts attending the show, on behalf of all the RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crews and lifeguards! We sincerely hope that visitors to the show will experience the lifeboat training simulator for themselves and that, as sea users, they’ll think about making a regular donation to the charity or get involved in raising money on SOS Day.’

‘More than half* of the 8,141 RNLI lifeboat launches last year were to recreational sea users in leisure craft. As a charity, we rely on the generosity of public donations to help keep our lifeboats afloat.’

The RNLI’s stand (A34) will also include lifejacket clinics with RNLI Sea Safety volunteers, a chance for a spot of Christmas shopping as RNLI Christmas cards, calendars and stocking fillers will be for sale; along with the chance for leisure sea users to make a regular donation to the charity by becoming a member of the RNLI.

Notes to Editors
· *4,287 of the 8,141 RNLI lifeboat launches in 2007 were to recreational sea users in leisure craft (2007)
· RNLI SOS Day: RNLI supporters throughout the UK will be holding SOS themed events culminating on SOS Day on 30th January 2009, with the aim of raising £1 million. From sponsored silences to sea shanty sing-alongs, anyone can get involved.  More information on how to show your support is available at www.rnli.org.uk/sos
· Visit the ‘Sail, Power and Watersports Show’ at Earls Court, London (26-30 November 2008) www.earlscourt2008.com

RNLI media contacts
For more information and interview requests please contact Katie Wilton, RNLI Public Relations Officer on 01202 336789 / 07899 076 224 pressoffice@rnli.org.uk

RNLI online
For more information on the RNLI please visit www.rnli.org.uk. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI Press Centre www.rnli.org.uk/press

Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 100 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 137,000 lives.

A charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SCO37736). Charity number CHY 2678 in the Republic of Ireland.

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The RNLI’s team of Sea Safety volunteers are reminding people around the coast of the risk of firing distress flares (marine pyrotechnics) as a source of entertainment this Firework Night (5 November) because it is not only illegal but also potentially dangerous.

Marine pyrotechnics, commonly known as ‘flares’ are designed to be fired over water, so when the flare comes back down to the ground (if fired over land) it is likely to still be extremely hot and can cause serious burns or a fire. Flares are a vital part of safety equipment for those going to sea for work or leisure purposes but should not be used in non-distress situations.

Flares are intended as a means of signalling for help when in distress at sea to assist the RNLI’s lifeboat or the Coastguard’s rescue helicopter crews in locating vessels. That’s why any misuse of flares, such as for entertainment during halloween, firework and bonfire night celebrations, could divert search and rescue assets away from a genuine emergency.

As a lifesaving charity the RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crews will always respond to a call for help. While the misuse of flares equates to just under 3% of the 8,141 lifeboat launches in 2007, it is crucial that flares are not fired unless in a distress situation. In the past five years* lifeboats have launched a total of 1,175 times to incidents where flares were fired in false alarms or as hoax situations, that’s an average of 235 lifeboat launches a year.

Peter Chennell, RNLI Sea Safety Manager says:

‘Because it’s illegal to let a flare off in a non-distress situation, they are not a part of your marine safety kit you can easily familiarise yourself with. That’s why the RNLI offers free flare demonstrations to boating clubs or groups of sea users. We explain the differences between types of flares, how to use them and also show the correct and safe way to fire flares if you’re faced with a distress situation. After all, the worst time to be reading the instructions on a flare is the time you actually need to use it in a real life situation!’

When flares reach their expiry date they should be carefully disposed of, the temptation to fire them as a means of disposal should be avoided. Guidance on the disposal of time expired pyrotechnics is available on the Maritime & Coastguard Agency’s website www.mcga.gov.uk **

Commenting on the firing of flares in non-distress situations, Jim McWilliams, Head of Search and Rescue at the Maritime & Coastguard Agency says:

‘The firing of a red flare in a non distress situation is illegal under the Merchant Shipping Act and could divert valuable search and rescue assets away from a genuine search and rescue emergency. Marine distress flares are NOT fireworks, and if used incorrectly can be extremely dangerous. 
‘Out of date pyrotechnics should not be disposed of on bonfires, where they may explode unexpectedly. Marine flares are designed to be used in the maritime environment and should only be used in a distress situation.
‘Flares must never be used after expiry date.  Pyrotechnics must be treated as hazardous waste and should be disposed of responsibly in accordance with regulations and local rules.’ 

For more information on arranging a FREE RNLI flare safety demonstration for your boating club please contact 0800 328 0600 or visit: www.rnli.org.uk/seasafety

Notes to Editors:

• *2002 – 2007
• **Contact details for MRCC / Current policy on disposal of time-expires pyrotechnics:
  http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga07-home/emergencyresponse/mcga-searchandrescue/mcga-hmcgsar-sarsystem/mcga-sar-tepadvice.htm

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Katie Wilton, RNLI Public Relations Officer on 01202 336789 / pressoffice@rnli.org.uk

 
RNLI online
For more information on the RNLI please visit www.rnli.org.uk. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI Press Centre www.rnli.org.uk/press

Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 100 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 137,000 lives.

A charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SCO37736). Charity number CHY 2678 in the Republic of Ireland.

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RNLI supporters could save themselves an average of £233* on household energy bills at the same time as helping to raise valuable funds for the charity that saves lives at sea.

Sound too good to be true?

The RNLI has teamed up with Switch with Which?, the only not-for-profit energy price comparison website in the UK. Switch with Which? compares thousands of tariff and payment options on both gas and electricity services offering what it calls ‘a transparent and impartial view of all their energy options’.

There’s no obligation to switch suppliers after comparing prices with Switch with Which? but those that do won’t be the only ones to benefit from this new partnership – for every supporter who changes their energy supplier, UK consumer association Which? will donate £10 to the RNLI. What’s more, anyone who switches both their gas and electricity suppliers will be guaranteeing a donation of £20 to the RNLI.

Clare Caunt, National Corporate Fundraising Manager for the RNLI, says:

‘As energy prices continue to rise, this partnership gives our supporters the opportunity to raise funds for the charity and potentially make savings themselves, an excellent initiative for all.’

With fuel prices set to rise again as Winter sets in, what better time to explore what’s available at switchwithwhich.co.uk/rnli or by call 0800 533 031 (quoting RNLI).

Notes to editors
· *£233 average annual saving per household that switched via the Switch with Which? service between 1st October 2007 and 31st March 2008.

RNLI media contacts
For more information or to request an interview, please telephone RNLI Public Relations Officer Becky King on 01202 663 510 or email bking@rnli.org.uk.
 
RNLI online
For more information on the RNLI please visit www.rnli.org.uk. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI Press Centre www.rnli.org.uk/press

Key facts about the RNLIThe RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 100 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 137,000 lives.

A charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SCO37736). Charity number CHY 2678 in the Republic of Ireland.

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OFCOM’s consultation on including Administered Incentivised Pricing for the maritime and aeronautical sectors published 30 July 2008

OFCOM has proposed new charges (Administered Incentivised Pricing or spectrum pricing) for VHF land-based radio licences, and published a consultation document about its proposal, a summary of which can be found at: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/aip/summary/

 

 

3 October 2008 – RNLI’s response:

The RNLI is concerned that OFCOM is reviewing the charges for the use of radio spectrum and that OFCOM is proposing to introduce a scheme known as Administered Incentivised Pricing.

The RNLI currently pays £40,000 in licence fees annually to OFCOM for the use of radio channels in our station/boathouse radios, lifeguard radios, launching vehicles and pager system. Under OFCOM’s new pricing proposals this is set to increase by a staggering 600% to £260,000 per annum.

The current fees paid by the RNLI are at a discounted rate of 50%. However, the RNLI strongly maintains that, as a charity, it should not pay anything for the use of radio spectrum when it is used solely for safety and search and rescue (SAR) purposes - particularly as its for the provision of a first class marine rescue service, in order that the Government can meet its internationally agreed SAR obligations. 
 
Ships’ licences are not affected by this consultation and are already free of charge and the RNLI believe that there is a good case for channels used solely for safety and SAR to be made available free of charge to all users.
 
The RNLI is responding to OFCOM to clearly state its case during this consultation period. Additionally the RNLI is encouraging its volunteers to respond as individuals to OFCOM, with particular reference to question 6 on the consultation document, with the thought that nobody should have to pay for any channels that are used for safety and SAR and that charities should not be charged at all for channels they use for safety, SAR, training and other operations, which contribute to the safety of the UK citizen.

 

20 October 2008 – OFCOM’s consultation update

OFCOM published an update to its consultation on AIP for the maritime and aeronautical sectors in which it stated, ‘The RNLI may see its charges fall as a result of our proposal to offer a single, lower-cost licence for multiple users.’ For details, see http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/aip/update201008/

 

21 October – RNLI’s response to OFCOM’s consultation update

'The RNLI welcomes OFCOM's proposal, which will reduce the charity's licensing costs, enabling us to direct those funds towards the RNLI's primary objective of saving lives at sea. Ideally, we would still like to see a 100% discount on radio licensing fees not only for the RNLI, which as a charity is funded entirely by voluntary donations and uses allocated frequencies solely for safety and SAR purposes, but for all organisations, which contribute to the safety and saving of life at sea. However, we appreciate this proposal from OFCOM is a significant improvement on their previous proposal.

‘There have been some reports that this will affect the operations of our lifeboat service. We are pleased to confirm that this is not the case and our lifeboats and volunteers are available to launch as normal to anyone in danger at sea.’

 

30 October – The OFCOM AIP period of consultation closes

During the consultation period, the RNLI sent OFCOM a letter outlining its concerns about the proposals, to which OFCOM has emailed an initial response (31 October). OFCOM confirms it wants to work closely with the RNLI to find a solution and that it will continue the consultation process with the RNLI over the coming months.

 

4 November – RNLI comment as OFCOM AIP consultation period closes:

The RNLI has been greatly encouraged by the supportive response from the public to the situation. People have been responding direct to OFCOM, and a petition, (to protect the RNLI from paying licence fees for using Maritime radio frequencies), has been set up by a supporter on the No. 10 website. Already more than 12000 signatures have been added and its hoped that people will continue to register their support by signing up. Additionally the RNLI has been heartened by the cross-party political support it has received on the AIP issue.

Already OFCOM has outlined some proposals to the RNLI that include a reduction in the charity’s licensing costs. While the charity welcomes these proposals, ideally it would still like to see a complete exemption from AIP or a 100% discount on radio licensing fees not only for the RNLI, which as a charity is funded entirely by voluntary donations and uses allocated frequencies solely for safety and SAR purposes, but for all organisations, which contribute to the safety and saving of life at sea.

However, the RNLI appreciates their offer is a significant improvement on the previous proposal. Additionally it’s understood that that OFCOM will continue with a more detailed consultation process and will develop dialogue with the RNLI. Ultimately the matter is now in the hands of OFCOM and we await the outcome of their proposals that will be implemented in April 2009.

RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789; or email pressoffice@rnli.org.uk 

RNLI online
For more information on the RNLI please visit www.rnli.org.uk. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI Press Centre www.rnli.org.uk/press

Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 100 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 137,000 lives.

A charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SCO37736). Charity number CHY 2678 in the Republic of Ireland

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Microsoft is donating software, with a market value of £5M, to the RNLI over the next three years. The donation will allow the charity to focus its expenditure in other areas to support key life saving initiatives, such as RNLI MOB Guardian, which involves a large annual financial commitment.

MOB Guardian, whose infrastructure runs on Microsoft applications, is a man overboard and vessel locator system, developed by the RNLI to help reduce deaths in the fishing industry. In less than a year of being introduced, the system has already helped save 5 lives. The Microsoft donation will allow the charity to free up its funds, helping it to plan more effectively to meet its objective of making MOB Guardian more affordable to fishermen in the UK and Ireland. The donation also allows the RNLI to continue investing in innovation, particularly the Systems and Information Management System, which is also based on Microsoft technology and provides essential operator information to lifeboat crews and is in operation on the Tamar class lifeboat, the RNLI’s latest all weather lifeboat.

To thank Microsoft for its generous donation, the RNLI Chief Executive, Andrew Freemantle winched down to thank Microsoft Marketing Business Officer, Matthew Bishop, as he and his team participated in a sea survival training experience at the RNLI lifeboat college, Poole (Dorset).

RNLI Chief Executive, Andrew Freemantle CBE explains:

‘This generous donation from Microsoft will greatly assist the RNLI in maintaining its lifesaving services in the current difficult economic climate. It will help us to ‘weather the storm’, that we, along with many other charities, are facing. Indeed we are bracing ourselves to be fully hit by the storm next year, when the impact of reduced share and house prices on the value of legacy gifts – upon which we are so dependent – is expected to become apparent.

‘This exceptional donation from Microsoft gives us greater financial flexibility to continue supporting lifesaving initiatives such as the roll-out of MOB Guardian, which could help provide 1,500 fishing boats with a safety system over the next three years.

‘It gives me great pleasure to personally extend the thanks of the RNLI to Microsoft, which is not only giving a donation, but is more fully immersing itself in the work of our volunteers by putting its staff through crew training techniques; it is these techniques that help keep our crew safe, should the worst happen at sea – it must be remembered that our crews frequently go and brave the eye of the storm to help save others.’

Additionally Matthew was introduced to Dorset fisherman, Tom Russell who uses the RNLI MOB Guardian safety system. Tom, who often fishes alone up to 15 miles off the Dorset coast, explains how the unit is like having someone watching over him:

‘Not many fishermen wear a lifejacket – but having this device on the boat makes me wear a lifejacket – if I go in the sea I’m just as likely to be rescued, so I’ve just got to stay alive until the cavalry comes.’

Matthew Bishop, Business Marketing Officer of Microsoft says:

‘The way in which the RNLI is using the latest technology to save lives is inspirational. It’s not so long ago that volunteers were rowing out through the surf to try and locate those in danger by sight and good fortune.  The more fishing boats and sailors are covered by MOB Guardian and technologies like it, the safer those who work and play on the water will be. We’re delighted to support the vital work of the RNLI as part of our software grant programme, and look forward to developing many new initiatives in the coming years.’

Notes to editors

Photos are attached, captions as follows:
Photo 1: RNLI Chief Executive Andrew Freemantle winches down to liferaft to thank Microsoft Business Marketing Officer Matthew Bishop for Microsoft donation
Photo 2: (L to R) RNLI Chief Executive Andrew Freemantle presents Microsoft Business Marketing Officer Matthew Bishop with an RNLI Certificate of Appreciation
Photo 3: (L to R) Microsoft Business Marketing Officer Matthew Bishop meets Dorset fisherman Tom Russell and RNLI Fishing Safety Co-ordinator Sean Friday
Photo 4: (L to R) Microsoft Business Marketing Officer Matthew Bishop is welcomed on board by RNLI Finance and Information Systems Director Mark Hallam

RNLI media contactsFor other photos, quotes, interviews or more information please telephone Julia Sylvester, RNLI Public Relations Officer on 01202 663184 or 01202 336789 or jsylvester@rnli.org.uk
 
The RNLI online
For more information on the RNLI please visit www.rnli.org.uk or www.rnli.ie. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI Press Centre www.rnli.org.uk/press.

Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 100 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 137,000 lives.

A charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SCO37736). Charity number CHY 2678 in the Republic of Ireland

Key facts about Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realise their full potential.

About RNLI MOB Guardian
MOB Guardian consists of a base unit on the fishing vessel and crew personal safety devices (PSDs) worn by the crew. The base unit automatically transmits, via satellite, regular updates of a vessel’s position, course and speed to the RNLI’s monitoring station. If a regular update is missed, the monitoring station tries to regain contact with the boat and if no further updates are received an alert is raised with the RNLI, which is then passed to the Coastguard so that a search can be initiated.
 
If a fisherman wearing a PSD falls into the water, or activates the PSD manually, an alert is raised and transmitted within minutes to the RNLI operations centre. The information passed to search and rescue agencies is accurate and up to date, detailing position, name of vessel and even gives names of crew members. Searching for this vessel or crew members becomes far easier and casualties can be reached faster.

About Systems and Information Management System (SIMS)
One of the biggest risks for crew members aboard a lifeboat in rough seas is being injured while moving around. A bespoke RNLI solution known as SIMS addresses this using the latest in computer technology. SIMS means that many on board controls for operating and controlling lifeboats can be managed remotely and the crew can remain in their seats for longer. Using the system also allows better task sharing between crew members as various functions can be monitored and controlled from virtually any location on the boat. SIMS is built using solid-state technology and incorporates a chain of back-up systems. In the unlikely event that all back-ups should fail, the lifeboat can still be operated using conventional systems.

About the RNLI Sea Survival Experience
The experience offers a unique and challenging team-building day or corporate event. Held at The Lifeboat College in Poole, Dorset, it provides an opportunity to get a hands-on taster of the training that our volunteer lifeboat crews undergo. After a thorough briefing by RNLI Sea Survival Trainers, participants don standard-issue RNLI crew kit, undergo poolside drills and then enter the survival pool to learn the same skills and techniques that RNLI crew members rely on every day to save lives at sea. This includes survival swim, righting liferaft, closing and maintaining liferaft, helicopter recovery.  /tlc_virtual_tour/team-building

About Microsoft Software Donation
 
Microsoft is providing software licences, with a market value of £5M to the RNLI. The licences represent all of the RNLI's Microsoft operating system and application requirements over the next 2-3 years. They will firstly facilitate the RNLI's strategic move to a single Microsoft platform in its data centre, including the migration of its major business applications and messaging service. Secondly, they will enable forthcoming initiatives to improve information management and collaboration possibilities for staff and volunteers alike.