Penlee RNLI Rescue Last Night

[TwoFish]

I don’t think there would be any appetite from government to adopt hitherto generally extremely well funded branches of the emergency services such as RNLI . . .

And of course it wouldn't just be the existing funding costs, as the RNLI is resourced largely by volunteers giving freely of their own time and commitment. I'm not sure that would continue if government were to take over or otherwise interfere too much. So, I suspect there would be a lack of appretite from governement, from the RNLI and from RNLI volunteers. I'm not sure anyone who has given the matter serious thought is suggesting such a change anyway.

 

[Juan Twothree]

Whilst big holes above the waterline are never going to be ideal, when I learned to sail we covered makeshift repairs with cushions and bunk boards etc to try and stem the flow of water. I'd be surprised if the bilge pump couldn't keep up with the flow if a bunk cushion was jammed against it.

I was wondering that too. I thought maybe I'd missed some important detail earlier in the story

 

[Sandy]

At the risk of being pedantic, the helicopter crews are actually employed by Bristows, not directly by the MCA. And even though they are given search instructions by the CG, where they actually go, and the safety of the aircraft, is ultimately down to the aircraft commander.

Thanks @Juan Twothree for the information. I was vaguely aware of the overly complex aircraft manning/management way of doing things. Accountants do some very odd things to 'save money'.

 

[Sandy]

View attachment 145750

Considering how many of us sail, at times, with the toe rail in the water I can't really believe why a marine architect thought this was a good idea. Perhaps they also design shower blocs in marinas where you always get your clothes wet.

 

[fisherman]

They could have been sailing to Newlyn in relative good order, the weather at the time was blowing brisk SE but it snapped round to W or NW or so in the torrential rainstorm. Where they drifted before they were rescued is a horrible place particularly after a wind shift like that, confused seas, shallowing water increasing tide and increasing exposure to the SW. I've had some clothings there, then shifted a few miles NW and found small boats sculling about quite happily. I did see their AIS track, presumably from the callout to half way through the tow in, about a mile off and drifting SE along the shoreline off Porthleven towards Mullion. The lifeboat took them off SW before turning up for Newlyn, possibly to get outside all the crap they had come through on the way out.

 

[Frogmogman]

I thought it is a first reef.

From a purely academic interest it would be useful to know the material, mileage and maker of the sail.

The Cap West website says (rather confusingly that the mainsail (GV in French) is made of DCX North Soft NorLam - which seems to be a mishmash of two sailmakers products. (DCX is a brand of sailcloth by Dimension-polyant)

 

[Tranona]

Thanks @Juan Twothree for the information. I was vaguely aware of the overly complex aircraft manning/management way of doing things. Accountants do some very odd things to 'save money'.

Surprised you were not aware of this. It was a well reported saga when all the remaining RAF SAR helicopters were retired (not least because Prince William was driving one at the time) and the whole service was re-organised to reflect the changing patterns of usage. Bristows were already operating some of the services that were not covered by the RAF, particularly in the North Sea and got the contract for the whole of the UK. Lots of local noses put out of joint including Portland which lost its base - much of its area now covered from Lee on Solent. Don't seem to hear any complaints these days about inadequate coverage or service.

 

[Juan Twothree]

Surprised you were not aware of this. It was a well reported saga when all the remaining RAF SAR helicopters were retired (not least because Prince William was driving one at the time) and the whole service was re-organised to reflect the changing patterns of usage. Bristows were already operating some of the services that were not covered by the RAF, particularly in the North Sea and got the contract for the whole of the UK. Lots of local noses put out of joint including Portland which lost its base - much of its area now covered from Lee on Solent. Don't seem to hear any complaints these days about inadequate coverage or service.

The service is more reliable these days, in that the Bristows contract specifies a minimum level of aircraft availability. My nearest base has two aircraft, and shares flying duties between them to spread out the hours, but they also have to plan those hours to ensure that they aren't both due for maintenance at the same time.

Although the RAF did an excellent job, their aircraft were sometimes unavailable. We'd be told for instance that they had one aircraft u/s, and the other was having to be nursed along with a number of technical issues, so they were having to minimise flying hours to what was deemed essential only.

They also sometimes had shortage of aircrew due to operational postings, so they might turn up on a job with the ability to search, but couldn't do any winching, as there was only one chap in the back.

Although the Bristows aircraft are faster and more reliable than the Sea Kings, the ones I've worked with, the AW189s, are also quite a bit smaller. I'm 6'2", and I can't stand up in the back.
Some of the rear crew occasionally step out onto the skid (whilst still attached, obviously) just to straighten their back for a minute or two.

 

[Sandy]

Surprised you were not aware of this. It was a well reported saga when all the remaining RAF SAR helicopters were retired (not least because Prince William was driving one at the time) and the whole service was re-organised to reflect the changing patterns of usage. Bristows were already operating some of the services that were not covered by the RAF, particularly in the North Sea and got the contract for the whole of the UK. Lots of local noses put out of joint including Portland which lost its base - much of its area now covered from Lee on Solent. Don't seem to hear any complaints these days about inadequate coverage or service.

Thinking back I was aware, but it is old news.

There was a poster, with a username like Channelsailor who was, or ex-CG, who was very good at posting details about the changes and the advantages of the new airframe over the Sea King. While I never got a ride in a 22 SQN Whirlwind I did have a couple of flights, one training flight and one rescue in a Sea King and pretty uncomfortable it was too! The pilot worked miracles on the night of the rescue and took both the search party and the casually off the hill when he really should have been sat on the ground supping a mug of coco.

 

[Capt Popeye]

Words escape me. 8 people go sailing in a badly equipped vessel in conditions that had been predicted to be severe. They all should be grateful that their stupidity did not result in the loss of any lives. They put RNLI volunteers and Rescue 924 helicopter lives at risk.

Surely not accurate statements , all the RNLI as I understand it are volunteers , so them have a choice , respond to the Shout or NOT their decision ; as stated by JTt ofen the RNLI know their Onions and are aware of all the risks , very well trained and experienced , so not likely , these days, to risk their lives ; lessons have been learned

Dunno about the Helecopter Crews though

 

[ridgy]

On the subject of portlights, I was surprised to see that Simon Curwens golden globe boat has them. Must be a retrofit on a Biscay 36. Guess they can't be all that bad.

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

On the subject of portlights, I was surprised to see that Simon Curwens golden globe boat has them. Must be a retrofit on a Biscay 36. Guess they can't be all that bad.

Hull windows were not available in 1968. Doesn't that render Simon Curwen's qualification questionable??

 

[zoidberg]

Hull windows were not available in 1968. Doesn't that render Simon Curwen's qualification questionable??

I think you may, if you dig deeper, come to the conclusion that Don MacIntyre makes it up as he goes along. It is permitted if he permits it.

'One man, one boat, the sea....'

 

[ylop]

Surely not accurate statements , all the RNLI as I understand it are volunteers , so them have a choice , respond to the Shout or NOT their decision ; as stated by JTt ofen the RNLI know their Onions and are aware of all the risks , very well trained and experienced , so not likely , these days, to risk their lives ; lessons have been learned

Dunno about the Helecopter Crews though

Just because they have a choice does not mean that they don't put their lives at risk on a shout. Now the faux outrage from Concerto is a bit over the top, the thread already makes clear it was a charter boat so likely actually better equipped than many boats, and seems to ignore any degree of media sensationalism. Afterall "Sailors towed home by lifeboat after broken window" is not quite the same click bait as "sinking" etc. [Oh and just to confuse you some more the RNLI does employ some rescuers - although they would still have the right to say "no" just a the MCGA contracted Helo crew do]

 

[dom]

Surely not accurate statements , all the RNLI as I understand it are volunteers , so them have a choice , respond to the Shout or NOT their decision ; as stated by JTt ofen the RNLI know their Onions and are aware of all the risks , very well trained and experienced , so not likely , these days, to risk their lives ; lessons have been learned

Dunno about the Helecopter Crews though

There are always risks when standing oneself into danger in small vessels as the RNLI volunteers routinely do.

A friend of mine is Commander at one of the RNLI's biggest stations. He's only in his early-30s. Yet, he and his crews routinely attend shouts where they witness the victims of murder, suicide, drownings, inebriated sailors tempting destiny. There's a price for that, whatever the outcome.

And yes, they do take personal risks even though they shouldn't. Risks no civilian man or woman could lawfully order them to take. EVER, and whatever the chain of command.

For people like you ...and your family.

And ours.

Now think about that.

 

[fisherman]

And in re helicopter work, in the 70s the Merc Enterprise was foundering in very high seas off the Dodman, five Sea kings were sent from Culdrose, two had to land in a field short of the station having been hit by waves.
They were not the dedicated SAR resource at the time
Rescue from ss Merc Enterprise

 

[Stemar]

And in re helicopter work, in the 70s the Merc Enterprise was foundering in very high seas off the Dodman, five Sea kings were sent from Culdrose, two had to land in a field short of the station having been hit by waves.
They were not the dedicated SAR resource at the time
Rescue from ss Merc Enterprise

Thank God for insane people who who will go out in conditions when any sane person would say sod it and go to the pub. Please God, may I never drag them away from their pint.

And, yes, I know they won't be going anywhere near a pint when they're on call, but you know what I mean

 

[Juan Twothree]

Thank God for insane people who who will go out in conditions when any sane person would say sod it and go to the pub. Please God, may I never drag them away from their pint.

And, yes, I know they won't be going anywhere near a pint when they're on call, but you know what I mean

But woe betide anyone who needs rescuing during Popmaster.
They'll receive fairly short thrift from me!

 

[38mess]

On my way to work over the past few years I noticed this 'new' trend to have windows in the hull on newish yachts.
I felt uneasy seeing this but I assumed whoever designed this into the boat also designed provision for sturdy deadlights to be quickly fitted incase of any breach.
Does anyone know if this is the case? I guess not.

 

[boomerangben]

But woe betide anyone who needs rescuing during Popmaster.
They'll receive fairly short thrift from me!

Thank goodness for BBC Sounds