| Autumn 2007 came in with a vengeful
gale.
Listening to its howl from the depths of her duvet, volunteer Crew
Member Anne Millman hoped that the pager would stay quiet.
Amazingly, Poole lifeboats hadnt been called out for a month, belying
our status as one of the busiest coastal stations, but on Sunday
28 October at 10.59am, my pager broke its silence. Spurred into
action, I knew that it could be something serious but it didn't
stop me from wishing that I'd had breakfast! We crew headed down
to Poole lifeboat station in and on our various forms of transport.
In pouring rain, those who came on bike or foot were wet before
donning their waterproof gear. We were all anxious about the impending
shout, despite knowing that the experience of coping with testing
conditions would do us good. The thoughts we voiced varied from
'Great, a job at last!' and 'Looks like I'll miss my Sunday lunch'
to 'But who the hell ...?'
The Who ...? were seven people onboard the 11m yacht Résumé.
They had been enjoying an exhilarating race in Poole Bay and had
taken safety precautions but were struck by disaster when their
mast broke. Although shocked, no one was injured. The Coastguard
picked up Skipper Ian Standbridges Pan Pan radio message and contacted
our DeputyLaunching Authority (DLA) Rod Jenkins.
The choppy seas and winds gusting up to 48mph were above the advised
operational limit for our inshore lifeboat so Rod decided to launch
the all-weather Tyne class City of Sheffield. Second Coxswain
Andy Elton picked six experienced crew, including me. He recalls:
'We had to be cautious but quick in response to the casualties needs,
given their position'.
Within 6 minutes of the page, and in worsening weather, we launched
and headed down the harbour. Even with adrenalin pumping there was
the usual banter. We couldn't miss out on ribbing full-time Mechanic
Paul Taylor as he ventured out of the wheelhouse - he is more often
seen in the depths of the engine room and certainly doesn't do 'wet!'
Yet, as Crew Member Pete Smith describes: With the wind driving
the waves clean over the boat I got a faceful more than once.
I knew from my own local sailing experience that Ian was a skilled
yachtsman but, as radio operator that day, I could hear his concern
as Résumé struggled to stay off the notorious Hook
Sands. With part of the mast under the hull they had only minutes
before they would hit. We wouldn't be able to get close enough in
such shallow waters to transfer anyone so Andy requested the launch
of the inshore Friendly Forester II after all, knowing
that the heavy surf would be within her capabilities. With crew
already at the boathouse, she launched at 11.22am.
Meanwhile, Résumé was being buffeted by
the breaking waves but her crew had already prepared for a tow,
tying ropes to the front cleats and back to the winches to spread
the load. Paul and lifeboat Crew Members Mike Fearn and Pete Smith
tried to stay steady on their feet as they readied a tow line and
passed it to fellow volunteer Mike Hallard. As 2m waves hit us the
training kicked in: Andy adeptly manoeuvred the lifeboat as close
to the yacht as possible and Mikes successful first-time throw to
the crew on the foredeck of the yacht meant that she was quickly
towed clear of the danger area.
Now the Atlantic 75 approached, with Gavin McGuinness at the helm.
Despite the yacht surfing down the waves behind us, sails flailing
in the wind, and the Foresters propellers making contact with the
swinging mast, Crew Members Joe Grove and Sam Wicks successfully
transferred to Résumé. They helped lash down
the sails and mast and reassured her crew.
As we towed the yacht towards shelter, we thought the worst was
over but there was further alarm when we spotted two more potential
incidents. The Forester intercepted two kayakers heading out to
Hook Sands to play, while we thought we'd have to rescue a photographer
who'd rushed to the waters edge to catch the scene and slipped but
fortunately he grabbed a wooden rail just intime and didn't fall
in. With relief, the repartee resumed onboard as we congratulated
Mike on his throwing skills. Then our thoughts turned gratefully
to Rod, remembering that doughnuts would bewaiting for us back at
the station. We cant seem to persuade all our DLAs to bring them!
Bringing the yacht alongside us, with six fenders to cushion any
knocks, we continued the tow safely past the international ferry
terminal where the tug Herbert Ballam (withour Senior Helmsman
Paul Singleton as skipper) was pulling the Barfleur ferry
off her berth. Once inside the confines of Poole yachtclub, Andy
skilfully turned the all-weather lifeboat and her partner 180º
to bring Résumé securely alongside a pontoon
at 12.30pm.
Quite often we underplay the role we perform. Andy describes the
shout as 'the usual run of the mill stuff, just more lively', but
Probationary Crew Member Sam Wicks remarks: 'The skill of the Helm
and Coxswain were something to admire'. Casualty Skipper Ian Standbridge
and crew mate Sally agree: 'We were very relieved to see the lifeboat
arrive. They pulled us to safety quickly and efficiently so “thank
you" to all those whocame out to rescue us'.
Later that week the yacht's crew delivered a token of their appreciation
saying: Hope you enjoy it! And the lifeboat crew certainly did enjoy
the Dorset apple cake -does everyone know the way to our hearts
is through our stomachs? Well mine at least!
|
