75 SPONSORED BY PREMIER NOSS ON DART


NEWS FROM THE RNLI LIFEBOAT TEAM IN DARTMOUTH


RNLI DART NOW OPERATES WITH AN ADDITIONAL ATLANTIC 85 INSHORE LIFEBOAT The two year trial to assess the suitability of placing an RNLI B class inshore lifeboat in Dartmouth has been completed. The trial commenced with Salcombe’s ex Atlantic 75 lifeboat on 9 September 2018, to work alongside our D class lifeboat. In particular the Operational Director of the RNLI wished to be very clear about the frequency and type of tasking requests that are placed on the D class lifeboat that are near the limit of the guidelines for its use and capability, including crew safety factors.


On 7 July Mark Strudwick,


Lifeboat Operations Manager for the RNLI Dart lifeboat Station, was told that the Trustees of the institution had approved the Operations Committee’s recommendation for the permanent allocation of a B class lifeboat to the Dart Lifeboat Station. It was proven that the desired effect on lifesaving capability had been met, which resulted in an earlier than expected approval. During the trial, the Atlantic 75


was launched at the request of the Coastguard 50 times, saved two lives and assisted 97 people. She was also launched 114 times on exercise, which highlighted the exceptional commitment of the Dart volunteers. During the same period the D class lifeboat was


B-825 being craned into the harbour.


launched 30 times, saved one life and aided 44 people. The Aquadock used for the


trial boat, originally for the Loch Ness B class, was modified on the


“She is the right asset for the


right job”


fleet at Poole was brought to Dartmouth on 18 August for the further training of the Operations team. She was craned into the water from the South Embankment watched by a sizable crowd. Further photographs can be found in the Picture gallery on the station web site www.rnlidart.org.uk Until the Atlantic 85 became operational, the Atlantic 75 remained on station as an operational lifeboat. Having learnt to handle the


river to take the larger Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat. Throughout July and August the volunteer crew, helms and RNLI trainers entered an intensive period of training to familiarise themselves with the enhanced assets and capabilities of the new boat that was coming. The Atlantic 85 lifeboat B-825 Norma Ethel Vinall from the relief


Atlantic 75 over the last two years the helms needed to modify their boat handling skills as the two boats handle very differently, especially at high speeds. The lifeboat crew had to be trained in the use of the radar and the direction finding VHF radio, neither of which are on the Atlantic 75. Fortunately the advanced electronics package, including the navigation system, is the same on the two boats and is also used


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