Lifeboat Diary

Lifeboat Diary

18-10-08 Yacht in Trouble?

RNLI relief Lifeboat B722 ‘Beatrice Dorothy’ launched to the 24ft sail yacht ‘Nervous Tension’ who had been reported to Dover Coastguard as appearing to be in trouble, off Jury’s Gap.

Lifeboat B722 launched at 5.52pm and arrived at the casualty eight minutes later. When the lifeboat crew arrived at the yacht, the two sailors advised that they were not in any trouble, and confirmed that everything was OK. They were wished a safe onward journey to Sovereign Harbour at Eastbourne.

Richard Tollett, RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager at Rye Harbour Lifeboat, said: ‘Although this rescue turned out to be a false alarm with good intent, someone thought the yacht was in trouble and Dover Coastguard requested the lifeboat to launch. It is always better to ere on the side of caution as the situation could have been completely different, especially with the fading light and the tide dropping.’

19-8-08: Cabin Cruiser washed ashore on Camber Sands

RNLI relief Lifeboat B722 ‘Beatrice Dorothy’ launched at 3.23 pm to a 20ft cabin cruiser being washed ashore on Camber Sands. Dover Coastguard requested the launch of the lifeboat after receiving a call about a boat in difficulty, being washed ashore. Lifeboat B722 arrived on scene at 3.29 pm but the four teenagers had abandoned ship, jumping into the rough surf. The teenagers were safe ashore, being given some sea safety advice by the Coastguards. Due to the rough conditions, it was decided that the Lifeboat would not attempt to recover the boat as the boat had suffered some damage whilst being washed ashore and was not in a sea worthy condition.

Richard Tollett, RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager for Rye Harbour Lifeboat, said: ‘The top priority is the preservation of life, both of the lifeboat crew and the casualty. In today’s rough weather conditions, the decision was made to leave the casualties boat which had grounded. On average it costs £2,200 to launch an inshore lifeboat.’

18-10-08 RNLI Coffee morning a great success.

Coffee Morning at the Butter Market
Coffee Morning at the Butter Market

The RNLI coffee morning held at the Butter Market, Rye Town Hall on Saturday 18 October was a great success, raising in the region of £366.

This is the first event organised by the new Fundraising Team at Rye Harbour RNLI Lifeboat Station, following the Rye Harbour and District Branch being placed into ‘light preservation’ due to dwindling volunteer numbers.

The Fundraising Team at Rye Harbour RNLI Lifeboat Station was setup on 11 June 2008, when the six remaining branch volunteers joined the Lifeboat Station. Although this is the first event hosted by the Fundraising Team, they haven’t been taking things easy. They have been setting up the Souvenir Shop at the Lifeboat Station – which is currently open on the first and third weekend of each month between 11 am and 3 pm. Steve Tollett, RNLI Lifeboat Management Group Chairman at Rye Harbour said: ‘The event was an outstanding success. It was good to see so many supporters come to the event. I would like to express my most sincere thanks to His Worship the Mayor of Rye, Councillor Sam Souster for gifting us the use of the venue, and to everyone who made this event the success it was, without you it would not be possible.

If you would like to become a member of a friendly, enthusiastic and active team, then send your name, address and telephone number to: Branch Membership Secretary, Rye Harbour Lifeboat Station, The Point, Rye Harbour Road, Rye Harbour. TN31 7TU or email: [email protected]

Fundraising Team:

We always welcome new members to the station, whether volunteering for the crew, as a fundraiser, souvenir shop assistant or a branch member.

If you or someone you know, have some spare time and would like to become a member of an enthusiastic and diverse volunteer team then please phone Steve on 01797 223631.

Souvenir Shop:

Opening Times for December: Saturday 6 th : 11 am to 3 pm Sunday 7 th : 11 am to 3 pm Saturday 20 th : 11 am to 3 pm Sunday 21 st : 11 am to 3 pm

“Rye’s Own” December 2008

All articles, photographs and drawings on this web site are World Copyright Protected. No reproduction for publication without prior arrangement. © World Copyright 2015 Cinque Ports Magazines Rye Ltd., Guinea Hall Lodge Sellindge TN25 6EG