Rnli

[Rich2484]

For those arbtalk era in the Dover areas.

 

There is a boot fair thing going on in capel le ferne on Saturday the 25th. It's for raising money for the lifeboat. Plenty of stuff going on and entertainment in the evening. At the lighthouse pub.

 

Also get to see stormy stan. Pics to follow.

[Rich2484]

2.07am wake up call today.

 

Man overboard from the ferry pride of kent.

 

Dover’s RNLI Lifeboat ‘City Of London II’ was called out in the early hours of this morning (21st May) following reports that a man had gone overboard from a ferry travelling from Calais.

 

Dover’s volunteer lifeboat crew were assisted in the search by a Royal Navy warship that was in the area and a helicopter was scrambled from RAF Wattisham.

 

The extensive search was carried out in poor visibility, a freshening northerly wind and drizzle.

 

The search was called off and the lifeboat returned to her station at 0600 after almost four hours at sea.

 

Pete Legg, Deputy Launching Authority at Dover RNLI said after the search was called off, it was unlikely that someone could survive in the water for that amount of time at this time of the year.

[GardenKit]

Thats a bummer Rich, when you know for certain there is someone to be found, but can not find them, you somehow feel responsible for their loss.

 

But, for those readers who dont know, it is virtually impossible to find a person without a lifejacket in the sea. You can be within 20metres and miss them , especially at night with a bit of a chop.

 

Very sad.

[Rich2484]

At best it was 100 yards visibility.

 

Even the warship HMS TYNE struggled with all there gear to complete the search patterns. And they have a LOT more syfisticated gear than us. The heli packed it in as low cloud meant they couldn't see anything.

 

The only break we got was daybreak. But even then it was some 3 hours after. The bloke was noted missing at one, by the time they searched the ferry we got the call at 2, so the first hour maybe more was lost.

 

The tide was strong and would carry anything in the water towards France and the west.

 

It was really a no hope case from the start. Only thing we can do is condolences to the family and try our best. Sadly in many cases this isn't enough and some people just remain lost at sea.

 

Doesn't always end that way, and thankfully there are more cases where the RNLI and coastguard are successfull in saving lives at sea.

[bobh]

Greatest respect to you and all of the RNLI crews around the country, thanks for volunteering

[Rich2484]

Some pics from the fun day on Saturday. Yes that me and the missis.

[Rich2484]

Dover shout tonight.

 

A very ill man on board the yacht kingFisher. Lifeboat called as man was very bad and was incoherent and in and out of consciousness.

 

Removed from yacht and placed on board lifeboat and brought back to Dover and given care by the ambulance.

 

Boat now back alongside an dreary for service.

[Rich2484]

A picture from Sunday. The best day of the year so far weather wise. Got a bit of a tan that day.

[Rich2484]

'twas a bit rough it 'twas.

[Rich2484]

Was very rough.