{"id":848,"date":"2023-12-26T02:14:01","date_gmt":"2023-12-26T02:14:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.darmain.co.uk\/darmainworld\/?p=848"},"modified":"2024-01-03T21:30:43","modified_gmt":"2024-01-03T21:30:43","slug":"rnli-shout-report-24-12-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.darmain.co.uk\/darmainworld\/index.php\/2023\/12\/26\/rnli-shout-report-24-12-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"RNLI shout report – 24\/12\/2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I thought I would make more use of this site to record my involvements in various launches of the Bembridge lifeboat. Naturally I cannot post personal details and it is possible than it some cases I cannot post at all. However in the event that the outcome is good and is in the public media then there is no harm in reporting my details here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There have already been launches that I have been involved with, or should I correctly say, observed. It is only now that my training level allows me to be active with the launching and recovery. I am to operate with a “buddy”, a fully trained member of the shore crew until I am classed as “Competent crew”. (I guess that makes me “Incompetent crew” right now?) . Anyway I can record some details of my actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What follows is considerably longer than I first intended, so be warned. However I hope you will find it a fascinating read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, according the pager record, it was 0258, in the morning. I was asleep and I recall I was actually dreaming about something. As usual I cannot remember what that dream was when I was awoken by the Pager doing what its intended to do. I recall it taking me about 30 seconds to get my wits about me to realise this was real. I examined the pager. “Launch ALB”. This was real! So, light on and out of bed. Found some clothes and my glasses. Downstairs for the shoes and coat. Then out to the car and I got underway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its 0.9 miles to the boat house and there was little traffic about. In fact all the traffic that was about was also going to the boat house. Now this was a new experience for me. Going from being completely asleep to awake and driving the car in about 5 minutes. This is not what I would consider a good experience. It was quite clear that parts of my brain were still not “with it” and a couple of times during my short drive I felt my mind “Phase out” for a moment. Not something you want to do while driving, that’s for sure. However circumstances must, and all that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once arrived I quickly parked the car and made my way out to the off-shore station. It must have been about 0305, I didn’t check the watch then. There was several members of the crew around me and several more in the station. The head launcher was already kitted up (How!!!?). I made my way to the PPE holding area to get ready.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was amazed to discover that I was already too late! All the PPE was already taken. I don’t have any wellies yet and there were none my size that I could borrow. Also, all the HiViz jackets had been claimed. Realising I was a spectator I ventured into the control room with another member of the team to watch the show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By 0315, 17 minutes after the pager sounded, the Albert Alfred Williams (Tamar 16-17) slammed into the turbulent waters at the base of the slipway, with a shower of sparks off the keel rollers that are exposed to the sea. The launch task was done and “God Speed” to her and her crew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This link<\/a> is from the BBC that reported the incident, just to prove it is in the public domain. In actual fact this is pretty much all I know also. The casualty yacht was pretty close to the line that the Portsmouth \/ Ryde Fast-Cat would take during the day. It was not in any immediate danger of collision but it had no power to manoeuvre and was in a busy shipping lane. They needed help and we were there to provide it. Our boat made rendezvous within about 10 minutes. The situation was clear, as was the solution. A tow was established and the yacht was taken to Gosport Marina and secured to a pontoon. Once complete our boat made its way back to the station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Meanwhile, having got the boat to sea, we now took steps to get ourselves awake for the return. My first job was to fill the kettle. Teas and Coffees were made and the biscuit box was cracked open. Then it was a matter of waiting and monitoring the radio. The launch doors had been closed as it was blowing a goodun out there. Force 7, gusting Force 8 in the Solent. We were sheltered but the wind was still making a presence. The external flood lights were still on though, much to the amusement of the roosting pigeons outside. I took this photo as we waited for her safe return.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The more experienced shore crew knew the timings. It would be 0500 by the time she was home. Sure enough the shout eventually arrived that she was in-bound. The team began to don life jackets, which are needed when working near the launch doors or out on the slipway. I was expecting to be an observer once more. However, our trainer had answered the call and seeing me, he requested that another crew member changed places with me to give me experience. Great! I was playing apart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I found some boots, size 9, which are too big for my size 8 feet but close enough. I also got the life jacket on as I had been instructed. I needed someone to help tighten the waist from the back. Then I grabbed the Gecko helmet that is mandatory head wear down in the “Under croft”. I then made my way down to my “Buddy”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recovery procedure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In this section I will describe the typical recovery procedure. There are variations of this but this is a chronicle on what happened this night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We were positioned on the right hand (Starboard) side of the boat house as viewed by looking down the slipway. The “Haul up spans” were already rigged with the smaller hauling line. Now the launch doors was opened we need to get them down to the water line. The main winch was started and the winch line needed extended down the slipway and connecting to the haul up spans. Here was my first job. Get the winch cable over my shoulder, to take the weight of the shackle, I then signalled to the winch operator to start letting out line. I then walked steadily out, keeping tension on the line. I continued until I reached the line where the algae starts on the slipway. This green slime is unbelievably slippery and I was not authorised to continue onto it. I signalled to the winch operate to stop. I worked with a colleague to attach the “haul up spans” to the shackle. Its quite an awkward device and a little temperamental but we got the job done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My Buddy took over. He then proceeded to pull the main winch line down the slipway, walking down the slippery keel slot and using the winch cable as support. He stopped once he had reached the waters edge and set the shackle down. Then, using the winch cable for support he made his way up to firmer footing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, the pair on the left hand (Port) side had set up the hauling line pole, a device that raises the loop at the end of the hauling line out, and up, so that the boat crew can capture it with a mooring pole. One thing remained, to add the “bite” into the winch line. This is simply extra line that is pulled to the side of the slipway, to give slack to the boat crew. This is needed if the sea is rough or if the tide is receding, which indeed it was. Then we returned to the boat house to wait for the boats return. Walking up the slipway was face on to the wind. That made it more difficult to fight the slope of the ramp, but it was a good thing that the wind was warm (11\u00b0).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The boat was already sighted in the distance and we didn’t have to wait long. Soon she was backing up to the slipway and the haul up line was captured. My buddy opened the valve to allow water to flow down the lower keel slot, so to lubricate it. Then we stood back. We couldn’t see what was happening but we knew the procedure. The boat engines are set full astern to hold it against the slipway. The hauling line brought the “haul up spans” up to the deck. These were then brought to the port and starboard rear cleats, which are more than capable of taking the load. The boat crew signal to the Head launcher that they are done. Now the Head launcher instructs the winch operate to start reeling in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is an important point. At this point the ownership of the boat transfers from the Coxswain to the Head Launcher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At this time we are hidden behind the support pillars for the floor above. Should the winch line snap, and although it is pre-stressed so not to be able to whip back, we assume it will, so we keep as far as we can away from it. The winch line now tightens which draws it up out of our sight, blocked by the building floor above us. Then the winch takes the seven tonne pull required to drag the 32 tonne boat out of the water. Once the winch has the boat captured then the Coxswain will signal to the Mechanic to shut down the engines. This is important as they have lost their cooling water. Slowly the Tamar is pulled up the slipway, until she starts to enter the boat house. Then the Head launcher signals stop, followed by a signal to us to proceed with the next part of the recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My next job is now to get the starboard “Quarter stopper” and throw the end up to the boat crew member crouched at the rear starboard corner of the boat. The Port team are doing the same with their “Quarter stopper”. The Quarter stoppers are looped strops that are anchored to the floor of the boat house. They are a bit awkward to throw up but I was successful on the first attempt. We then retreat to our safe space. Meanwhile my Buddy has turned off the slipway water valve. The boat is now on upper slipway rollers so the water lubrication is no longer required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The “Quarter Stoppers” are taken by the boat crew and positioned over the central structural post, which is further forward on the rear deck. Once done and this signalled to the head launcher then the winch is commanded to wind out. The quarter stoppers are now holding the boat and the winch line and haul up spans go slack. The boat crew now unhitch the haul up spans from the cleats and with a shout of “BELOW”, drop them back down to the boat house floor. The head launcher signals to us to proceed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I assisted my Port colleague to open the shackle and remove the haul up spans. Their work was now done. I then took the winch line and signalled to the winch operator to reel out once more. Meanwhile, my Buddy has collect our “Haul up span” and is stowing it on the storage hooks on the side of the ramp. I walked the winch line down until I reach the stern of the boat, upon which I signal to stop. My Port colleague has collected the “Sea Catch” and brought it over. This attaches to an anchor point just above the keel and is the launch mechanism. It is locked in place and he holds the device so I can attach the shackle of the winch line to the D on the back of the Sea Catch. We then retreat to safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The head launcher then makes his way to the Sea Catch and inserts the locking pin, this prevents the Sea Catch from opening. Then he retreats and signals to the winch operator to take the strain. Not to move the boat but to assist the Quarter stoppers to hold it safely in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My next job is to pass a hose up to the boat crew. In addition other colleagues are attending on the outer walkway of the boat house and have handed over buckets of soapy water and mops. The boat crew now start cleaning down the upper decks and the cabin, from Bow to Stern. Then the hose is used to wash everything down to remove the salt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While that is going on, we are now washing the transom down in a similar way. Another hose is used to rinse down. There is a procedure here. The Starboard side has the bucket and mop so we start the soap down. Then the bucket is slid under the winch line to our Port colleagues. Nothing must ever go over the loaded winch line, including us, so we must work as a team here. Then the hose from the Port side is used to wash down the transom. This is then passed under the winch line to me so I can wash down our side. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile the Port side colleague has gone down the slipway to recover the hauling line pole and bring it back into the boat house. The hauling line is passed down from the boat crew to the Port shore crew. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once all is completed then hoses are pulled back, the bucket emptied and taken back into our safe spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next the Head launcher signals to the winch operator to reel in and take the full weight of the boat on the winch line and Sea Catch. This slackens off the “Quarter Stoppers”. The winch is then stopped once more. The boat crew release the “Quarter Stoppers” from the central post, and once again, with the shout of “BELOW”, they are dropped to the boat house floor. A signal from the head launcher is given to us to proceed. We then get the “Quarter Stoppers” off the slipway and hang them on the several hooks on the side of the ramp, along with the “haul up spans”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My buddy asks me to attend the winch position to be ready with the final recovery process, this I do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Head Launcher now signals to the winch to conduct the final reel in. As the boat starts being drawn into the boat house the two hoses are now used to wash the hull as it passes. The boat is now pulled up the top of the ramp. This section is a tilting table and allows the boat to be brought to more level position. Once everything is settled the Head Launcher signals us to proceed. I attend the starboard side of the Winch line, my Port Colleague on the opposite side. First we manually lift the flaps on the exhausts, which are also the outlets for the sea water that is cooling the engines. We allow these to drain down so we don’t get wet for the next task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The keel strap is a large strap that has one end attached to the base of the winch platform on the Starboard side, my side. I now passed this through the back leg of the keel, and back to my Port Colleague. He then pulls that back up to the attachment device on the port side of the winch base. The strap is attached, the device is closed and a locking pin is inserted. We then retreat. The Head Launcher signals to the winch operator to wind out. The boat down starts to slide forward until the keel strap takes all the weight and the winch goes slack. That is the rest position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally the “launch line” is reattached to the Sea Catch and passed to the Winch Operator, who secures it to the winch assembly. Our work here is done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The winch is now shut down and we all return to the PPE area to get the gear off and correctly stored. Above our heads the boat crew are disembarking and heading to the crew room. The Mechanic is opening all water tight doors and shutting everything off. The “Ground Power Line” is then reattached to keep the batteries charged and the engines warm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Launch procedure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As you can see the recovery is significantly longer than the launch. Having described the recovery in detail I will now describe the launch procedure, from the beginning, as we arrive to perform a launch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arriving at the boat house, the shore crew will first press a large thump button by the crew door. This starts the mechanism to open the launch door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arriving at the boat the boat crew will go to the crew room to gear up. The exception is the Mechanic. He will board the boat directly and enter the wheel house. As he climbs down the wheel house ladder he operates a thump button, which instructs the computer system to wake up and bring the boat alive. This process takes approximately 90 seconds. The Mechanic now goes below and closes all water tight doors, before returning to his station to put on his PPE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile the shore crew have got geared up too. The winch operator has now started the winch engine and made ready to proceed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once the boat crew are aboard and the gates closed the Head Launcher will signal to the winch operator to reel in and take the strain, until the keel strap goes slack. Then the Head Launcher commands the Port shore crew member to unlock the keel strap on the Port side of the winch base and release it. The crew member on the Starboard side then pulls it through the keel and folds and stores it on the winch base. The winch has the weight of the boat now. The shore crew members then retreat from the winch line area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then the Head Launcher signals for the winch operator to reel out slowly. This lets the boat slide down the tilting platform such that the platform now pivots forward so to be in-line with the slipway. Once this movement begins then the winch is stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The “Ground power cable” is now unplugged from the boat and passed to a shore crew member on the upper platform. The power cable is now reeled up out of the way. The boat systems are running on its batteries now. There is 10 minutes until the batteries are depleted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the Head Launcher will attend the Sea Catch and remove the locking pin. He then retreats. The launch system is now in an “armed” condition. The Head Launcher will signal to the Coxswain that the boat is ready to launch. At this point the boat ownership passes from the Head Launcher to the Coxswain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For our AWB, the Coxswain is also the Helm, but assuming there was a separate Helm for the moment. The Coxwain will signal to the Helm to start Engines. The Mechanic will be monitoring the Engine start up and the associated systems that are now coming on-line. These are predominately hydraulics and Electrical generators. The generators now take the full electrical load and start charging the batteries. Then the Helm will engage the gear box on each engine in turn. His display will tell him that the prop-shafts are turning and that he has propulsion available. A satisfactory report is made to the Coxswain. The Coxswain will then verbally check with the boat crew that they are ready.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All being well the Coxswain will blip the whistle as a signal to launch. The Winch operator now pulls on the launch cable. This is attached to the Sea Catch and cause its jaws to open, releasing the boat. Now, nothing can stop the launch. The Sea Catch falls onto a cushioned mat to prevent damage. The winch cable, being pre-stressed, does not recoil (much). The free boat now accelerates down the slipway under gravity alone, 32 tonnes of potential energy being released. By the time she reaches the water she is already doing 25 MPH. As soon as the props are in the water the Helm can engage the gear boxes and open the throttles. Some 2000 horse power now comes into play as the boat now sets its course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is always the fun bit of the process but is also the quickest part, take a few minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following launch the Shore crew now prepare for recovery. First the winch cable shackle is released from the Sea Catch. The Launch Cable is also released. The Sea Catch is carried down and placed on a storage mat on the Port side of the Launch door. The winch is reeled out while a shore crew member carries the shackle down to just short of the doors. The “haul up spans” are brought onto the slipway and the hauling line attached to the larger loops that go to the boat. The launch door is then closed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The launch is complete and the boat house is ready for recovery when the boat returns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wrap up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So, after all this excitement it was time to bid everyone farewell and head home. BUT, remember those amused pigeons? One had decided to enter the boat house and was flying around above the boat. Once the launch doors are closed then it is trapped. So there was a feverish game of whack the pigeon, being played by the boat crew, going on upstairs. We very cruelly decided to make our exit and leave them to it. I wonder who won?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By about 0530 I was in the kitchen, making a cup of tea. Going back to bed wasn’t really an option as I was too hyped to sleep. Besides I was hungry. By 0600 I was fed, watered and feeling the call of my bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And that was this story complete. Considerably longer than I first planned, but it serves two purposes. First it allows me to record my training and rethink what I have learnt. Secondly it give you, my dear reader, an insight of the launch and recovery procedure of a slipway launched Tamar class lifeboat, and I hope you enjoyed this.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I thought I would make more use of this site to record my involvements in various launches of the Bembridge lifeboat. Naturally I cannot post personal details and it is possible than it some cases I cannot post at all. However in the event that the outcome is good and is in the public media […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":851,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[30,29],"class_list":["post-848","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rnli","tag-bembridge","tag-rnli"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.darmain.co.uk\/darmainworld\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/848","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.darmain.co.uk\/darmainworld\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.darmain.co.uk\/darmainworld\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.darmain.co.uk\/darmainworld\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.darmain.co.uk\/darmainworld\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=848"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.darmain.co.uk\/darmainworld\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/848\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":877,"href":"https:\/\/www.darmain.co.uk\/darmainworld\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/848\/revisions\/877"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.darmain.co.uk\/darmainworld\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/851"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.darmain.co.uk\/darmainworld\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=848"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.darmain.co.uk\/darmainworld\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=848"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.darmain.co.uk\/darmainworld\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=848"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}