DART LIFEBOAT
neWs FROm THe DART LIFeBOAT
A TRue OnCe In A LIFeTIme evenT by Tony Rendle
Dart RNLI Assistant Press Officer A
t each Dartmouth Regatta, Dart Lifeboat are fortunate enough to spend some time operating with the Royal
navy’s search and rescue sea King helicopter from 771 naval Air squadron based at Culdrose near Helston, Cornwall. This year was no different; six members were picked to
work as two crews, one for Wednesday’s display and the other for saturday’s. All six met in the boathouse before travelling up to the college for the required aircraft safety brief and to go through the plan for each display. my crew consisted of Chris Tracey as helm with Rachel Cole
and myself. It was now time to decide who was to be winched for the display - a quick toss of the coin and it was decided, I was to be winched. But first it was time for the practice, with three crew on
board our boat spirit of Dart and three of us in the aircraft. There can be little argument about how beautiful Dartmouth is but from a helicopter flying over the town during Regatta, it is even more magnificent. As I was wearing the RnLI head cam and video, I was the first to be lowered. I sat in the doorway of the aircraft, from where the D class inshore lifeboat looked very small, but with some expert flying from the pilots and steady boat handling from the helm, Buster Hart, I was soon in the boat. The remaining five transfers went smoothly and some were lucky enough to see Danny, Dartmouth’s resident dolphin. We were all smiling.
With the exercise complete, there was just time to refuel the boat, grab a quick cold drink before getting in position for the display. Chris took the boat into the Bight where we would wait until the aircraft launched. One last radio call to the sea King before moving back up river. Once we were off the south embankment it was time to jump in! Good start, no leak in the dry suit, the orange smoke flare
was let off, and here comes the sea King. Once the aircraft was overhead, the noise and spray made everything difficult. But, in what seemed a few seconds, I was sat back in the doorway of the sea King with the first part of the display over. A quick circuit of the river to reposition and once again I was hanging over a small boat trying to look cool! Both teams worked together to complete the winching
quickly and efficiently proving that practice had paid off. With a quick high speed run down river with the aircraft overhead, the display was over for our crew! Thanks must go to the crew from 771 naval Air squadron for inviting us to take part in their display and for the training
exercise. The downside for me? Just that it was most probably the only time I will be winched into a helicopter during Regatta, a true once in a lifetime event and one that will never be forgotten. •
For up to date news please visit the local website of
www.dartlifeboat.org.uk (where news of recent launches as well as social events can be found).
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