14 News
THE HERALD FRIDAY JANUARY 27 2017
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RNLI helmsman in winning team
On their way to victory: Storm Angus at its peak in Watergate Bay (Pic. RNLI)
ROB DAVIES, a well-respected
helmsman from Burry Port RNLI, was on the winning team for the 2016 UK ThunderCat Racing Championship. Team Hoonigan, sponsored by Microlink and Ahmad Tea, in only their second year racing won the Championship with a nine point margin over their nearest rivals. Team Hoonigan entered the
2015 Thundercat Racing UK Championship as an unsponsored rookie team. Whilst Rob Davies was an experienced helmsman with Burry Port RNLI, co-driver Darren Phillips had not
set foot in a boat prior to this. With the support of Martin Tummuscheit as team manager, and his experience of logistics, maintenance and engine set up, they managed to win their first race in their first ever round of racing. Following 14 rounds of racing held
at seven different venues around the UK, they finished the 2015 season in third place. From their
outstanding
achievement as rookies during the 2015 season, and self funding over £12K, the main event sponsors, Microlink, offered Rob and Darren one of their own fleet of racing boats for the 2016 race season. The 2016 championship ran from
March to November, again held over 14 rounds, one round being held in Gibraltar, and the final round taking place in Watergate Bay, Cornwall, accompanied by Storm Angus which was at its peak during the race weekend. They entered that weekend with a
two point lead in the championship. Despite the extreme weather conditions and with Rob Davies' Lifeboat Helmsman skills and experience, they managed to outpace
Rob Davies: A well-respected helmsman with Burry Port RNLI (Pic. RNLI)
their opponents to become the 2016 Champions by a clear nine points. The team was well supported by
family and friends at all the venues, and some of Burry Port crew members went along to give support. Team Hoonigan are now
preparing themselves for another gruelling season, and they are now the team to beat. They have also been shortlisted
for the Team Award in the Carmarthenshire Sports Personality Awards, which will be held in February.
RNLI submits plans for lifesaving centre
Artist’s impression: The proposed new Burry Port lifesaving centre (Pic. Lewis Partnership) THE RNLI has submitted plans
for a new lifesaving centre in Burry Port to replace its ageing boathouse and to bring both lifeboats under one roof.
The current boathouse is too small
and outdated for the charity’s plans to establish a lifesaving centre at the town. The lifesaving centre will promote safety education and enhance visitor experience for the public as they learn more about the charity’s work. The planning application was submitted by the RNLI to Carmarthenshire County Council on Monday (Jan 23). The planning application proposes
that the new build will be located in the area between the existing brick lifeboat station and the western slipway, adjacent to the existing cycle track. The two-storey building will offer
the extra space required to house both lifeboats and will help speed up the launch process when the crew are called out on a life-saving mission. The new
building will include modern training and changing facilities for the volunteer crew; a mechanic’s workshop; a shop; and a viewing area so the public can see the lifeboats. There will also be display areas for the volunteers to mount exhibitions and share information about their lifesaving work and to promote sea safety. Lloyd Evans, RNLI Estates
Principal Engineer, said: "The RNLI has been working closely with the council to ensure that the new lifesaving centre will be an asset for Burry Port. It will allow us to locate both lifeboats in one building, making for a more efficient operation, and will provide the much-improved facilities that our volunteer crew deserve. "Where possible, the RNLI
encourages members of the public to visit our lifesaving centres; the new building will have the advantage of a more interactive visitor experience where temporary exhibitions can be held, while the public will be able to see the
lifeboat at her best from a purpose-built viewing gallery." Alun Wells, Burry Port RNLI
Lifeboat Press Officer, said: "This new development is a tremendous boost for our volunteers with these proposed first class facilities. It is a major step forward in the regeneration of Burry Port Harbour and sea-front areas, and will ensure an RNLI presence and legacy for the local community for many years to come." Burry Port lifeboat station was
opened in its current location in 1887 and was operated until 1914 when it was agreed that neighbouring stations provided sufficient cover. In 1973, as a result of the increase in drowning incidents in Carmarthen Bay, the station was reopened with a D-Class inshore lifeboat. In 2002, the RNLI concluded that the station would benefit from the addition of a B-Class Atlantic 75 inshore lifeboat, which is housed in the nearby steel annex building.
Champions:
Team Hoonigan (Pic. RNLI)
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